Support for Rick Westerling

Rick is known by many throughout the community as a devoted husband to Jackie, proud father to four girls, loving grandfather to four little girls, and so much more. He is a committed member of LifeStream Church, Allendale Township board member, an independent business owner, and a man with a giant heart who would give you the shirt off his back.

As many of you know, Rick recently sustained a serious injury while on a job site. On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, Rick lost his balance climbing down from a roof onto a ladder. As he came down, his leg got caught in the rung, and he fell to the ground catching himself with his arm. He yelled for help from the homeowner, who immediately called 911. He requested that he be brought to Spectrum Health Grand Rapids, but due to uncontrollable bleeding at the time, he was brought to Mercy Health Hospital in Muskegon, as it was the closest.

Upon arrival at the Trauma Center in the ED, the doctors performed x-rays, did a whole body CT, neuro exam, and attempted to get him as comfortable as possible with IV pain meds. He had an obvious compound fracture, and x-rays confirmed he had broken both his Tibia and Fibula about 4 inches above his ankle. He also fractured his right wrist when he landed and caught himself. The doctors set the bones best they could until ortho trauma could go in for an evaluation and perform reconstructive surgery. At this point, the surgeons were unclear on how they would reconstruct his leg. Screws and plates were obvious, but whether they would need an external fixator was not.

The reconstructive surgeries on his leg and wrist took place the next day (10/12), and he was admitted to the hospital. The doctor was able to put everything back into place in his leg (and his wrist), using screws, rods, and plates, without having to use an external fixator! This was great news; however, they could not close the wound due to the swelling and hardware. They placed a wound vac and made us aware that Rick would need muscle and skin graft surgery to close the large open wound.

Surgery for the skin/muscle graft took place on 10/25. They were able to take muscle from the side of his right thigh and skin from the top of his right thigh. The surgery was long and extensive, but went as planned without complication. Rick was to be bedridden for ten days following while the graft started to heal, and we waited to see if his body would accept it. Things were going well for the first few days.

On Tuesday, 11/1 during morning rounds, the plastic surgeons who did his free flap procedure informed Rick and Jackie that for no significant reason, the muscle flap had clotted off and died and was no longer viable. The surgeons took him to surgery to have the dead muscle removed, the wound cleaned, and his blood vessels assessed for viability.

The surgery was successful as the vessels still worked well, and there were no signs of infection. Another wound vac was placed, and unfortunately, he was back to square one.

The plastic surgery team met with Rick and Jackie again and gave Rick two options: transfer to U of M and try the surgery again with a team who specializes in these procedures or remain here and have an amputation. At first glance, it seems like the option is obvious, but with another surgery comes many more obstacles. We were incredibly hopeful with the first procedure. Everything was going perfectly, and we were outside of the “scary” window, yet it still failed. Not to mention the physical toll this is taking on Rick. A repeat surgery will mean not just one graft site to heal, but two. The plan for the second surgery would likely be to take muscle from his left upper back. Both surgeries are complex, and not one option is easier than the other, but both are thought-provoking. Additionally, the thought of him being even further away from his family was something none of us wanted to hear, especially him.

After many councils, lots of tears, hours of prayer and conversation, Rick decided to pursue his options at U of M! As of now, he has been accepted by a physician, they have found a surgeon to do the procedure, and we have gotten insurance authorization! He is currently just waiting for a bed to be transferred.

The money collected through this fundraiser will help with the excessive medical expenses he will incur, monthly home expenses, food, travel, and help eliminate some of the financial burdens and worries that this journey brings. We thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers! Rick is a God-fearing man and is choosing to place all of this in the hand of the Lord.

Our family asks that you continue to pray for strength and healing❤️

*The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23