The Casten Family
Donation protected
In 2015, Lindsay had surgery on her right foot due to an old gymnastics injury. Complications arose following the surgery and she had to have more of them. After 3 surgeries, Lindsay developed a detrimental infection in her foot. She endured 5 more surgeries over the course of four years to try to beat this infection. She battled it through pain, discomfort, and the threat that it would reach her bones and bloodstream.
After the last surgery, the infection became worse and, as we feared, started travelling into the bone and spreading to her ankle. She attempted everything the doctors ordered to fight this aggressive, rare infection. In the end, she had to have the lower half of her right leg amputated on May 10th, 2019.
Lindsay is the mother of three children under the age of twelve. Her youngest, Ella (8 yrs. old), was diagnosed at 14 months with a terminal neuromuscular disease known as SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Type 2. Ella never walked and is confined to a power wheelchair. She needs assistance with almost everything she does (playing, toileting, bathing, etc.). Since 2015, Lindsay has been unable to care for Ella properly due to the eight surgeries on her foot; and the responsibility for Ella lay squarely on her husband, Michael. She also found out that she has a degenerating disc in her lower back. All of Lindsay's energy had been used to fight the infection and try to quell the extreme pain associated with it and the disc.
After the amputation occurred, Lindsay began the arduous task of healing; both physically and mentally. With the constant thoughts of an infection looming in her system, Lindsay bravely went forward making every effort to heal from the amputation. She received the word that the infection was indeed gone and that she could begin rebuilding the life she had once before.
We recognize that our house needs modifications in order to give Lindsay the independence she deserves. She now has unparalleled energy to devote to her personal care. We are reaching into the future and thinking about how she'll care for Ella and the rest of her family. We have already sought out a contractor and had our first floor bathroom modified in order to make taking Ella to the bathroom easier for all involved. Logistical setup of the house is moving toward accomplishment. Lindsay is still on strong pain medications and insurance doesn't cover all of them; nor does insurance cover home modifications and medical equipment (except for the final prosthesis[see second update below]).
Lindsay's recovery is going well. She is active, healthy-looking and ready to move forward. The infection is gone and for that she is eternally grateful. As she moves on, rebuilding her life, she will continue to need support from family, friends, and those willing to help.
UPDATE #1 (June 4, 2019): Lindsay was diagnosed with an 80% chance of having (Stage 1) Renal Cell Carcinoma (cancer). She will have the tumor removed along with 5% of her kidney on July 8, 2019.
UPDATE #2 (June 30, 2019): Insurance has denied the microprocessor foot Lindsay was trying to obtain as her prosthesis. We were told to fight this denial due to the following reasons of medical necessity: Lindsay's young age (38), her having three children under 12 years old, Ella’s SMA (Lindsay will not be able to lift/carry Ella safely without the microprocessor foot), her continuing degeneration of the disc in her lower back, she's had four left knee meniscus tears in the past two years due to right foot pain compensation, and her very active job of Directing Children’s Ministries.
Follow the Casten's journey on Ella's Corner .
After the last surgery, the infection became worse and, as we feared, started travelling into the bone and spreading to her ankle. She attempted everything the doctors ordered to fight this aggressive, rare infection. In the end, she had to have the lower half of her right leg amputated on May 10th, 2019.
Lindsay is the mother of three children under the age of twelve. Her youngest, Ella (8 yrs. old), was diagnosed at 14 months with a terminal neuromuscular disease known as SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Type 2. Ella never walked and is confined to a power wheelchair. She needs assistance with almost everything she does (playing, toileting, bathing, etc.). Since 2015, Lindsay has been unable to care for Ella properly due to the eight surgeries on her foot; and the responsibility for Ella lay squarely on her husband, Michael. She also found out that she has a degenerating disc in her lower back. All of Lindsay's energy had been used to fight the infection and try to quell the extreme pain associated with it and the disc.
After the amputation occurred, Lindsay began the arduous task of healing; both physically and mentally. With the constant thoughts of an infection looming in her system, Lindsay bravely went forward making every effort to heal from the amputation. She received the word that the infection was indeed gone and that she could begin rebuilding the life she had once before.
We recognize that our house needs modifications in order to give Lindsay the independence she deserves. She now has unparalleled energy to devote to her personal care. We are reaching into the future and thinking about how she'll care for Ella and the rest of her family. We have already sought out a contractor and had our first floor bathroom modified in order to make taking Ella to the bathroom easier for all involved. Logistical setup of the house is moving toward accomplishment. Lindsay is still on strong pain medications and insurance doesn't cover all of them; nor does insurance cover home modifications and medical equipment (except for the final prosthesis[see second update below]).
Lindsay's recovery is going well. She is active, healthy-looking and ready to move forward. The infection is gone and for that she is eternally grateful. As she moves on, rebuilding her life, she will continue to need support from family, friends, and those willing to help.
UPDATE #1 (June 4, 2019): Lindsay was diagnosed with an 80% chance of having (Stage 1) Renal Cell Carcinoma (cancer). She will have the tumor removed along with 5% of her kidney on July 8, 2019.
UPDATE #2 (June 30, 2019): Insurance has denied the microprocessor foot Lindsay was trying to obtain as her prosthesis. We were told to fight this denial due to the following reasons of medical necessity: Lindsay's young age (38), her having three children under 12 years old, Ella’s SMA (Lindsay will not be able to lift/carry Ella safely without the microprocessor foot), her continuing degeneration of the disc in her lower back, she's had four left knee meniscus tears in the past two years due to right foot pain compensation, and her very active job of Directing Children’s Ministries.
Follow the Casten's journey on Ella's Corner .
Organizer
Elizabeth Taujenis
Organizer
Naperville, IL
