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Miscellaneous Expenses - Medical

Donation protected
Updated:  Sunday, 17 September, 2017
Amputation still scheduled for 21 September, 2017



Hi Folks - Though the cause of the need is me, my family (wife, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren that live and work on the farm also) will benefit from any donations received - my medical bills are actually paid or will be paid; and, I'm thanking the creator daily for this happenstance.

Background: On the morning of 15 March, 2017, I had a diabetic episode (low blood sugar) whereupon I became unconscious and then began to have mild seizures followed by "grand mal" like seizures (this never has happened to me before).  An ambulance was called and I was transported to the local hospital.  Somehow during that transit, my left ankle (trimalleolar fracture) was broken in three places. 

I was subsequently transported to University of Missouri Health Center in Columbia, Missouri by helicopter.  Upon arrival, it was found that the breaks to my left leg were so severe that an external fixation device was required rather than a cast. 

In late March I fell yet again (on the day I was discharged from the hospital) and the external fixation device broke loose, it took approximately 4 weeks to learn that the device broke loose from the bone.  Then I was re-admitted to hospital and screws, pins and plates were installed (this is when the real problems really started).

in late may it was determined that I was one of the two or three people out of ten thousand that has an allergic reaction to the alloys (nickle and copper) used in the surgical stainless steel parts and pieces - the result was the skin and flesh died on the outwards facing side of my left leg.  The matal was removed as the bone had healed and was no longer actually needed.  It was hoped that the wound would then heal - it didn't

In total there have been at least eleven surgeries on my left leg - there is nothing more that can be done.  I am ready to loose the leg as it is most obvious that it will never heal as desired and as necessary for a normal life - I want to get on with my life - it has now been six months since I broke my leg; that means six months with very little and quite limited mobility.

Currently: The current financial problem is all of the rapidly mounting miscellaneous expenses to my family, such as gas money to get me to medical appointments, most well over two hundred miles round trip, food on the road, food for Laurie as she stays with me in hospital, etc - it amazes me how fast all of the "little things" add up to an insurmountable sum.

Also there is the fact that with my family will again be having to wait on me hand and foot (literally - showers, bathroom, food, drink, getting into and out of bed, etc.) for a while at leastas my two modes of ambulation will again be walker and wheelchair; this, coupled with me no longer being able to contribute in any physical way whatsoever to our family workload, means the farm is suffering - this year we will have to buy fruits and some vegetables vice growing them as we normally do.  We are still absolutely trying to produce what we can though... we NEVER give up!

Healing Progress:  The bone has healed, I can now walk with very little pain - however, now we have to start all over - the skin and flesh has never healed and is now dying.  As Laurie and I have long feared, the leg now has to be amputated, this is scheduled for 21 September. (yes, we did get a second opinion)





In Conclusion:  We want to let everyone know that any amount contributed would be most appreciated by our entire family, as well as myself, of course.  Additionally, without said financial axe hanging over our collective necks, the stress level will be reduced tremendously.  We are extremely grateful for the donations that we have received thus far.

We want to say "thank you" to all of those that have helped us thus far - both your kind words and also your prayers are most sincerely appreciated by the entire family!.


Tim and Laurie Spencer
The Rural Survival Show 
http://republicbroadcasting.org/the-rural-survival-show-with-tim-spencer/
https://www.ruralsurvival.info/

PS:  Please share this link on social media platforms - this simple act of sharing would be of immense help to the entire family - thank you!

Organizer

Tim Spencer
Organizer
Salem, MO

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