Handicapped Access for Coach Chew

This has been the most difficult year so far for Mark “Chew” Yanchewski and his ‘knee issues’.  As of today, November 12th he has had 12 trips to the Operating Room and has spent 60 of the last 85 days in a Boston hospital and 15 days in a Rehabilitation hospital.  In hospital speak; he’s had two readmits within 30 days – which is not good.  He misses home and the normalcy of life.  To say that he’s been laid up seems an understatement as he had his first surgery this year on June 10th, and was non-weight bearing post that time until Oct 24 when he became restricted to bed.

Mark and his surgeons are doing everything they can to save his left leg.  All agree that he is too young and too active to be crippled with a high leg amputation (hip disarticulation).  So, a difficult decision to take a long corrective path that would provide a better outcome has not been an easy decision for Chew.  He knew that would mean that he would be unable to work, to coach football and to coach wrestling.   He misses both the kids he coaches and the kids he works with every day in Special Education at Wellesley High School.  Never mind all the activities he’s missed out on – like kayaking and attending his own son’s graduation from Navy Boot Camp.  It’s hard to explain all that he has been going through but when dealing with nurses and doctors at the hospital you know it’s bad as they all express how sorry they feel for him making comments such as “he can’t catch a break”, “he’s been through so much”, and “how does he stay so positive through all of this”, etc.  On a lighter note, he has formed new relationships with the nurses who have been working with him over these months.  Many make comment at how positive he is and yes, some even laugh at his humor.  Personally, I think it’s his faith that’s carrying him through this difficult time.

Late last year, Mark and I moved to a single level house.  Much of this difficult decision was due to anticipated problems with his knees, our age and empty nesting. Although we are primarily on one level, he still needs handicapped access to the bedroom, the bathroom and the entry into the house.  Unfortunately, since Mark has been out of work since June (both school and coaching), we are working with just my income. We simply can’t afford these renovations ourselves with a single income and medical related costs.

Currently, Chew is still in the hospital and has at least one more surgery planned for skin grafts.  Once the reconstruction on his leg is improved, he will then move to a Rehabilitation hospital and have to gain back strength before he can go home.  Once home, he will have to wait six months to return for a new knee, femur and tibia to be inserted. He’ll continue to be on multiple IV antibiotics much of the time, continuing to fight the new infections in his leg.  Until then, he has a large antibiotic-coated rod bolted to his hip extending to his ankle – which means his leg cannot bend (as there is no knee in there).  He will have to recover/rehab after the spring surgery as well.  So, as you can see, he has a long road ahead.

We are asking for help to fund these specialized handicapped renovations so that he can maneuver more easily in his wheelchair when he can return home.

Chew is not the type of person that asks for help, so he’s not going to be comfortable with the fact that I have initiated this fund (I haven't told him yet). Frankly, I’m uncomfortable asking myself but many have asked me if there is anything that they can do to help. So, I’m hoping that people/families who Chew has coached, taught, or helped in any way over the years will find it in their hearts to help make it so that he can be safer at home, when he is finally able to return.

So please SHARE and SHARE SOME MORE to reach those who know/knew Chew and might be able to help – in any way.  If people would like to donate services instead of money, these too would be gladly accepted – maybe our own version of “Extreme Makeover”?

Thanks in advance for any/all help you can give in helping me get Chew home safely.

Eileen Yanchewski