Support Mike Bass's Medical Recovery Journey

Hello Family and Friends!!!!

For those that know Mike Bass - you know he would never ask for help unless it was absolutely necessary! Here is a recap of what he has been dealing with over the past months:

Mike had been having issues with his left foot for several months. When we saw the surgeon he agreed that there was something going on with the Achilles tendon. He explained that Mike would be in a splint for a few weeks after surgery, then a cast for another few weeks, and that it was imperative that he rest as much as possible so his tendon could heal. The surgery involved anchors being screwed into his heel with polymers attached, they cut his calf muscle a bit and wove the polymers into the tendon. They also cleaned up any damaged tendon and removed the bone spurs and any calcification they could. The surgery was a success and we started the recovery. They noticed a pressure bruise on his heel and we started the next phase of waiting.

When the cast was removed the pressure bruise was still there and had not gotten any better. . During this time Mike was trying to work as much as possible but was in pain a lot of the time. We started wound care and they put him on a few antibiotics, scheduled a couple of ultrasounds to check on the circulation in his left leg. After that second appointment Mike did not feel good and continued to become increasingly weak . We called 911. They came quickly and he was taken to WRMC ER. Within an

hour of arriving the Doctor came in telling us he suspected it was a pulmonary embolism, the radiologist confirmed that shortly after. They started a heparin drip to start thinning his

blood to help stop any more forming. We were told he would need emergency surgery

and began prepping him. They were able to remove the majority of clots but Mike would

need to be on blood thinners for 3-6monts to indefinitely.

He was transferred to the CCU after surgery. Because of the mass

amounts of blood thinners in his body he was a fall risk and could not get up, they also

wanted to make sure the incision spot from the procedure didn’t open up since he can’t

clot. He was put on oxygen and continued with the antibiotics wound care put him on

and transitioned to oral blood thinners soon after. He was in CCU for a few days, his

breathing improved every day but with his COPD he needed to be on oxygen to help his

blood as much as possible. They wanted to have some PT in the hospital to help

determine if he’d come home with oxygen. After they were able to monitor Mike’s

oxygen when moving around they decided he might need supplemental oxygen once he

came home, but were hoping not for long.

Mike was finally released from the hospital after a five day stay. He was sent home with oxygen and scheduled for several follow up appointments. He’s still using oxygen here and there but recovering as fast as his body will allow. We are now dealing with the onslaught of bills from all of his appointments and both surgeries. Mike was able to use some short term disability to help make ends meet while recovering but it has run out. He hopes to return to work soon.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!!!!