Support for Severn Family
Donation protected
Update (2/15/19):
Valerie is doing well and continues to stay in mostly good spirits. She is very grateful for everyone's support!
Right now we are putting the Charcot foot on hold and dealing with some issues going on with the right foot. This is the foot that was previously the problem -- she was hospitalized Nov. 2017 for a diabetic ulcer (blister) on the right foot that became infected into the heel bone and caused Valerie to go into sepsis. She underwent surgery to remove the infected bone and was on her way towards healing but with her work responsibilities and having to be on her feet, the foot never completely healed.
An MRI was done on this foot in the last few days and found that the infection has returned and is, at the moment, in surgery to remove a good portion of her heel bone and some uninfected area to try and get rid of as much of the infection as possible. The surgery is standard and straight forward, they will be replacing the extracted bone with medical cement in order to give her foot some shape and accessibility after healing.
The doctors have said she will need a good pair of orthopedic shoes for the right foot and will later on need the specialized boot for the left (charcot) foot. After surgery she will be on IV antibiotics to try and keep the infection from returning, chances are really 50/50 on that end but the doctors are doing their best to make her better.
We appreciate everyone's support and donations! Please know that the money being raised here will be used towards upcoming living expenses (especially during the summer when I am unsure of my employment status between semesters--I'm a part time university lecturer) and any medical costs and equipment Valerie may need later on once her insurance ends.
Thank you all so much and I will keep everyone updated!
Much love from The Severn Family
(Christine G. Severn -- Valerie's wife)
***************************************************************************************************************************
As most of you know, Valerie has recently become unemployed due to recurring health issues that have now caused her to be hospitalized due to unseen complications.
Currently, she has been diagnosed with "Charcot Foot," a disease afflicting diabetics where nerve damage in the foot causes unrecognized pain as the foot bones slowly break and rearrange themselves within the foot itself. This condition is treatable and managable, but will require weeks of hospitalization to reduce redness and swelling, there are surgeries that can correct the broken bones by resetting them with pins, as well as a specially made "boot" to prevent future flare ups of Charcot from occurring.
The boot alone can be up to $3000 not including any unseen medical costs that will not be covered once Valerie's health insurance runs out at the end of February.
We are asking for any help in collecting funds for future health expenses and equipment (she will need to be in a wheelchair for many months after she is released from the hospital), as well as helping us with any upcoming living expenses that we cannot cover on a single-salary income now that Valerie is unemployed and hospitalized.
Valerie is an integral part of the LGBTQ+ community in the RGV and has stood out as a spokesperson and ally to everyone within the community that shares and accepts our values and lifestyle. What has happened to Valerie is unfortunate and definitely unexpected, but right now we need help and we are asking it from you. Anything you can help with would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Love from, The Severn Family (Christine, Valerie, and Aiden)
Valerie is doing well and continues to stay in mostly good spirits. She is very grateful for everyone's support!
Right now we are putting the Charcot foot on hold and dealing with some issues going on with the right foot. This is the foot that was previously the problem -- she was hospitalized Nov. 2017 for a diabetic ulcer (blister) on the right foot that became infected into the heel bone and caused Valerie to go into sepsis. She underwent surgery to remove the infected bone and was on her way towards healing but with her work responsibilities and having to be on her feet, the foot never completely healed.
An MRI was done on this foot in the last few days and found that the infection has returned and is, at the moment, in surgery to remove a good portion of her heel bone and some uninfected area to try and get rid of as much of the infection as possible. The surgery is standard and straight forward, they will be replacing the extracted bone with medical cement in order to give her foot some shape and accessibility after healing.
The doctors have said she will need a good pair of orthopedic shoes for the right foot and will later on need the specialized boot for the left (charcot) foot. After surgery she will be on IV antibiotics to try and keep the infection from returning, chances are really 50/50 on that end but the doctors are doing their best to make her better.
We appreciate everyone's support and donations! Please know that the money being raised here will be used towards upcoming living expenses (especially during the summer when I am unsure of my employment status between semesters--I'm a part time university lecturer) and any medical costs and equipment Valerie may need later on once her insurance ends.
Thank you all so much and I will keep everyone updated!
Much love from The Severn Family
(Christine G. Severn -- Valerie's wife)
***************************************************************************************************************************
As most of you know, Valerie has recently become unemployed due to recurring health issues that have now caused her to be hospitalized due to unseen complications.
Currently, she has been diagnosed with "Charcot Foot," a disease afflicting diabetics where nerve damage in the foot causes unrecognized pain as the foot bones slowly break and rearrange themselves within the foot itself. This condition is treatable and managable, but will require weeks of hospitalization to reduce redness and swelling, there are surgeries that can correct the broken bones by resetting them with pins, as well as a specially made "boot" to prevent future flare ups of Charcot from occurring.
The boot alone can be up to $3000 not including any unseen medical costs that will not be covered once Valerie's health insurance runs out at the end of February.
We are asking for any help in collecting funds for future health expenses and equipment (she will need to be in a wheelchair for many months after she is released from the hospital), as well as helping us with any upcoming living expenses that we cannot cover on a single-salary income now that Valerie is unemployed and hospitalized.
Valerie is an integral part of the LGBTQ+ community in the RGV and has stood out as a spokesperson and ally to everyone within the community that shares and accepts our values and lifestyle. What has happened to Valerie is unfortunate and definitely unexpected, but right now we need help and we are asking it from you. Anything you can help with would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Love from, The Severn Family (Christine, Valerie, and Aiden)
Organizer
Christine G. Severn
Organizer
McAllen, TX