As many of you know, my husband, Michael Stone has had some major health issues and due to that we have had some financial struggles. There are some huge changes coming up that are going to make comfortable living pretty difficult.

Michael has been on dialysis for a year and a half and was set to get a new kidney on May 15 from his awesome brother-in-law Robert. Two weeks before he was supposed to get his kidney he developed some sores on his foot. I took him to a podiatrist who took an x-ray and then suggested an MRI. Based on the MRI, the doctors determined that Michael had an infection in his bones and his feet. Because of the infection, the kidney transplant team decided to cancel the kidney transplant until he can get rid of the infection. The doctors determined that amputation of the feet would be the best route to healing and being able to get that kidney. Michael met with the surgeon on May 17 and then on May 20, the surgeon amputated both of Michael’s legs below the knee. He was supposed to come home two days after the surgery, but there have been some complications and new challenges. Prior to surgery, Michael had been paralyzed for 10 years and could not feel his lower extremities. He can now feel all of the pain of the surgery and also phantom pain of the limbs that are no longer there.

Michael is one of the strongest people I have ever met, and he still maintains a good sense of humor. Those of you who have met him, you know that he is a bright spirit even in the darkest of days. We are anlso excited that Michael’s 3 children are all going to be with us this summer, and I want to make sure that even with their dad having challenges, they can have a good summer.

I am also Michael’s Ihss caregiver, but while he is in the hospital, I cannot bill for any services and that leaves us without a huge chunk of money for finances. We are also hoping to get Michael some prosthetics in the near future and I want to be able to get him some artificial limbs that he can feel comfortable with and enhance his well-being.

I would like to invite you all to engage in good works and help us out with whatever you can.

we appreciate you all so much.