Surgery on Left Foot & Ankle
Donation protected
My name is Nick Carlozzi. I’m from Kenosha, Wisconsin. I’m a husband and a father of a six month old son. I was born with flat feet. I had constant, moderate pain growing up, but my parents and I thought it was from being flat-footed. As time went on, the pain never went away. I became accustomed to constant foot pain in both feet.
May 2019, I went off work. The pain in my feet became so bad I walked with difficulty. I saw a podiatrist who prescribed physical therapy and gave me a brace to wear. Custom orthotics were made for me and placed in proper fitting shoes. It helped initially and I was able to return to work.
August 2020, the pain returned and was severe. I almost was unable to walk and immediately took off work. I went back to the same podiatrist, who then ordered an MRI. The MRI showed inflammation and blood pooling in my left ankle’s tarsal tunnel. The doctor injected a nerve-blocker into my left ankle and the pain subsided within five minutes. The podiatrist informed me the nerves in both feet were dying, with the left one being much worse. The recommended treatment was surgery: a subchondroplasty of the calcaneus, a gastrocnemius recession, a tarsal tunnel release, and a plantar fascia release. The operations on my left foot and ankle will leave me unable to perform my work duties for at least three months.
These funds are needed immediately. I need to purchase things to assist me post-operation to help me get around without putting any weight on my left foot for three weeks minimum. They will also help pay bills, since my job will only pay up to 60% of my gross pay, minus my benefits. Ultimately, this leaves me with about $175 a week and our rent alone is $875. Any funds received will be used to help purchase medical things needed after my operation and pay bills. My wife and I had most of our savings drained in March 2020 because I had a brain surgery correcting a birth defect, and the rest dried up when she contracted COVID-19.
The situation is very urgent. The people handling my short term disability payments are taking a very long time approving those checks. As of 12/26/2020, it is likely I will not receive the short term disability check for 12/25/2020 until 01/08/2021. This is not the first time a delay like this has occurred. It is essential I have this surgery, otherwise I will not be able to walk. The thing is I will not be able to afford being off work on my own. Any funds received would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting regular updates so donors know what is going on with me.
Thank you and God bless,
Nick
May 2019, I went off work. The pain in my feet became so bad I walked with difficulty. I saw a podiatrist who prescribed physical therapy and gave me a brace to wear. Custom orthotics were made for me and placed in proper fitting shoes. It helped initially and I was able to return to work.
August 2020, the pain returned and was severe. I almost was unable to walk and immediately took off work. I went back to the same podiatrist, who then ordered an MRI. The MRI showed inflammation and blood pooling in my left ankle’s tarsal tunnel. The doctor injected a nerve-blocker into my left ankle and the pain subsided within five minutes. The podiatrist informed me the nerves in both feet were dying, with the left one being much worse. The recommended treatment was surgery: a subchondroplasty of the calcaneus, a gastrocnemius recession, a tarsal tunnel release, and a plantar fascia release. The operations on my left foot and ankle will leave me unable to perform my work duties for at least three months.
These funds are needed immediately. I need to purchase things to assist me post-operation to help me get around without putting any weight on my left foot for three weeks minimum. They will also help pay bills, since my job will only pay up to 60% of my gross pay, minus my benefits. Ultimately, this leaves me with about $175 a week and our rent alone is $875. Any funds received will be used to help purchase medical things needed after my operation and pay bills. My wife and I had most of our savings drained in March 2020 because I had a brain surgery correcting a birth defect, and the rest dried up when she contracted COVID-19.
The situation is very urgent. The people handling my short term disability payments are taking a very long time approving those checks. As of 12/26/2020, it is likely I will not receive the short term disability check for 12/25/2020 until 01/08/2021. This is not the first time a delay like this has occurred. It is essential I have this surgery, otherwise I will not be able to walk. The thing is I will not be able to afford being off work on my own. Any funds received would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting regular updates so donors know what is going on with me.
Thank you and God bless,
Nick
Organizer
Nick Carlozzi
Organizer
Kenosha, WI
