Support Maryanne & Shawn Through Her Surgery Recovery

Hi everyone,

As much as I’ve always enjoyed writing, I now find myself at a loss for words. Please bear with me as I try to explain how the events of the last few weeks have left Shawn and me forever changed.

On May 14, 2024, I made an appointment with my nurse practitioner to get some medication refills. The only available appointment was shortly after 8 am, and it was just before 7 when I got up. Thankfully, Shawn and I made it to the appointment on time. After discussing my medications, my provider decided to do my annual diabetic foot exam. During the exam, she noticed a discoloration on the second toe of my right foot and ordered foot X-rays because I mentioned there was a bit of pain. Shawn and I left her office not thinking much of the X-rays, as I’ve had many done before.

That afternoon, I received a message I would never have expected. I was told I needed to start taking an antibiotic ASAP because they found osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in my second toe on my right foot. So I immediately got the antibiotic and started taking it.

I then made an appointment for May 24 to see the podiatrist at the Marshfield Clinic in Rice Lake. I walked into the office expecting the doctor to say that I just needed more antibiotics. Instead, I heard the words I never wanted to hear: the only way to get rid of the infection was to amputate the portion of my toe that was infected.

To say I lost it emotionally right there in the doctor's office is an understatement. Shawn and I were both in shock. We scheduled a pre-op appointment with my new provider on May 30, and after seeing the X-rays, I knew in my gut that the doctor was correct. Partial amputation was the only option because of how badly and quickly the infection was spreading.

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, I had surgery at the Marshfield Clinic hospital in Rice Lake to have the partial amputation.

As I sit here writing this, I am two days post-op, and the pain is intense. Thankfully, I have pain meds to help.

Although I know the surgery was necessary and the 3-4 weeks MINIMUM of recovery are crucial, we are now facing financial challenges. This surgery has undoubtedly changed our lives forever.

If you’re reading this and are willing to help, any support would be greatly appreciated.

If you’d prefer to send a card, please do!

Our address is

Maryanne and Shawn Johnson

Po box 355

Chetek, WI 54728

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for taking the time to read this.