Hello friends,

My name is Nancy. For those who may not know me, I’m a longtime friend of Carrie Fill. I am reaching out to ask for support during the most challenging time of Carrie's life. I’ve known Carrie since I was a child—she’s like the big sister I never had. Our families have always been close, and she’s always had my back whenever I needed her. She holds a very special place in my heart.

Carrie is truly one of the kindest and most generous people I know. She’s loyal, trustworthy, and a woman of strong faith. Her heart is always in the right place.

What many people might not know is that Carrie has endured three knee surgeries in the past year. She is now facing her fourth, and she will need a 5th surgery soon after. This journey has been incredibly tough on her—physically, emotionally, and financially. She is currently unable to work due to the pain she’s been experiencing.

In October 2024, Carrie underwent what was supposed to be a routine total knee replacement surgery. The procedure went well, and she was on the path to healing.

However, just days after her staples were removed in November, She suffered a traumatic fall in her kitchen. The accident reopened her incision and completely tore her quadriceps muscle. She nearly bled to death and required two blood transfusions and emergency surgery to repair the injury and clean the wound to prevent infection. She remained in the hospital for five days, relearning how to walk with a walker while undergoing intense pain and physical therapy.

Despite this, complications escalated. She developed a serious infection in December, requiring another revision surgery and a 5-day hospitalization. The infection had reached her bone marrow, which forced her onto a 4-week PICC line regimen of IV antibiotics, administered at home under weekly nurse supervision.

From January through March 2025, she continued fighting through pain, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments, trying to stay strong and hopeful. But in April, she was rushed to the hospital again with sepsis and had another 6-week course of IV antibiotics through a PICC line.

By July, new imaging showed that the cement holding her knee implant had failed due to recurring infection, and the bone in her leg is being eaten up by it, in other words, deteriorating at a quick pace. Her medical team at both Hoag and UCI hospitals agreed that her only option now is another major surgery to implant an antibiotic spacer in her leg to try to save it. If this doesn’t work, and if there’s not enough bone left to support a new implant, her leg will have to be amputated.

This entire ordeal has already lasted over 10 months, with a projected 1-2 more years of recovery and surgeries ahead. She applied for disability, but her initial claim was denied. She's submitted an appeal, which could take 9 to 18 months to process and still isn’t guaranteed.

During this time, she has been unable to work due to her medical condition. She is now facing overwhelming financial hardship, struggling to pay for:

Rent and basic living expenses

Utilities and daily costs

Medical bills not covered by insurance

This has been an extremely emotional and painful journey, physically and mentally. Yet through it all, she continues to hold on to her faith. She believes that God’s not done with her yet. She's choosing faith over fear, and she's staying positive, even when it’s hard.

We're humbly asking for your help during this time so Carrie can continue to fight for her health, stability, and future.

Thank you for reading Carrie's story. Any help or prayers you can offer are much appreciated.

With Gratitude,

Nancy Fleming

*WARNING. Some of the images of Carrie's knee during previous surgeries/infections are graphic.