Support Jessica Fowler's Medical Recovery

Update: I wanted to update you all on where I am with my progress. I have started physical therapy 2 times a week. And I’m 3 weeks in I can really feel the difference that it’s making. I have awesome therapists! I’m still going to the hospital 3 times a week for wound care. The wound vac is doing its job. But I’m having some issues with tunneling but overall it’s doing its job! We’re getting so much closer with being able to be without the wound vac and just doing dressing changes.

My story:

My name is Jessica Fowler. I live in the country of Iowa Falls with my boyfriend Josh on our little farm. I am an employee at Franklin General Hospital where I work Med Surg/ED as a PCT. I've worked in healthcare since I was 17 years old. My passion is helping others in their time of need. I enjoy bonding with my patients and their families and getting to know them. In my career as a PCT, I've seen people at all stages of their lives. Everyone has a story, so this is mine.

On May 19, 2024, while tagging and tattooing our goats prepping for the Franklin County Fair 4H show, I stepped into a hole causing my ankle to roll one direction and knee the opposite. The results of this accident have caused life-altering changes for me. I was told by my primary doctor after the results of an MRI that I would end up needing a complete knee reconstruction surgery and was referred to an orthopedic surgeon in Iowa City. The surgeon had never seen an injury as extensive as mine. I tore my ACL, PCL, LCL, and broke the bone holding my tibia and fibula in place. He didn't want to do surgery right away; he wanted to give my knee a chance to build up scar tissue. This accident left me with no function in my left foot, 'drop foot,' and he wouldn't guarantee that I would ever get function back fully. So, I was fitted for a custom AFO that I will have to wear for the rest of my life. He also told me he wouldn't guarantee I would ever be able to work the floor again. During this time, depression and worry had started to settle in. What would I ever be able to do when healthcare is all I've ever known? So many unknowns and so many questions.

Three months later, on August 28th, I ended up having ACL reconstruction with grafting (but was unable to correct the ACL; the surgeon believed it was healing on its own), posterolateral corner reconstruction with grafting, biceps femoris repair, and meniscal debridement surgery done, and my bone screwed back into place. I had 54 staples with a 10-inch incision and 3 small incision sites. Surgery went well. Four weeks had passed, and I was ready to start physical therapy, but something wasn't feeling right with my knee. So, on September 20th, I was taken to the ER to have my knee checked. And sure enough, there was an infection starting in my incision. I started oral antibiotics and sent photos to my surgeon, waited over the weekend, and on September 24th, my orthopedic surgeon wanted me in Iowa City as soon as possible for yet another surgery to clean the infection. This surgery left me with a hole in the side of my knee that would only close with wound vac therapy. I spent 25 days at U of I and Franklin General Hospital. I was able to come home with the conditions of having to do outpatient wound therapy 3 times a week. It's a lengthy process, but with time, it's getting better. During these past 6 months, I was only able to work from July to August, and now with a setback with infection, I do not know when I will be able to return to work.

I'm fundraising to cover my medical expenses and support myself during this challenging time. Your support will help me manage the costs of surgeries, therapies, and daily living expenses while I'm unable to work. I appreciate all of your prayers and help it’s meant so much to me!