It’s been some time since I’ve posted an update diary, mostly because I’ve been dealing with some things that I wasn’t ready to write about in any detail. In fact, for some of it, I’m still not really ready, but due to my current situation, I felt it was time.
Here’s the situation:
Back in the summer, I started noticing swelling in both my legs, but always much worse in the left leg. I’ve had that happen before, usually only in summer when the humidity is high. The standard “treatment” is to try and stay in air conditioning, and keep the leg (or both legs as needed) elevated as much as possible. Unfortunately, this time, that didn’t do enough to control the problem.
Once before the swelling in that left leg got so bad that it started to drain. A weak spot in the skin would form into a blister, which would then pop, and the excess fluid would drain out of it. It started on the back of my calf — a most awkward spot to try and see properly, let alone treat. My doctor said it probably started there because in keeping the leg elevated, gravity causes the fluid to settle to the lowest point, and friction (from keeping the leg elevated on a pillow) weakens the area. That last time though, the area remained relatively small (about 2 inch diameter), and with proper treatment, it healed up within several weeks.
Unfortunately, this time that was not the case. The wound is currently covering about 2/3’s of my lower calf (the outer side and part of the rear, and nearly all of the ankle area). Even though I applied the same treatments as last time, the drainage was much more robust, and it was nearly impossible to keep the area dry — which led to spreading of the skin breakdown. Making matters worse, the area became infected (even though I did everything I could to prevent that).
At this point I’ve been dealing with the infection for at least 4 months, and despite being on several different antibiotics (oral and topical) for nearly all of that time, there’s been no improvement. Currently I’m being seen at a wound care clinic 3x weekly, where they have to give me a shot to numb the area enough that they can clean the wound with that brown liquid stuff (which still burns like I stuck my leg boiling oil, despite the shot), recover it with the silver and antibiotic creams, and then re-wrap it with sterile dressings. I have to do the same on the days I don’t go to the clinic — only without the aid of the numbing shot (which only partially helps anyway) and using peroxide instead. At those times I literally have to put a wooden spoon in my mouth to keep from screaming in pain.
Because there has been no perceptible healing of the infection or the surrounding skin, and because it continues to drain, I’ve now been informed by the wound clinic that if things do not improve by the end of this month, I will need a surgical fix. This means either severe debridement of the wound area (cutting out infected tissue down to — and possibly into — the muscle) — or worse, the potential for amputation if they feel the infection is too far gone to clear with debridement alone.
Either way, I’m looking at a hospital stay of 4-5 days, at least 2 months on crutches afterward, and then several months of physical therapy. The only question will be whether the therapy is to rebuild what muscle is left, or to learn to walk on a prosthetic if they have to take my lower leg and foot.
This is obviously a very scary thing to face. But what makes it even worse is where I am living. My “studio” is on the 2nd floor in a rooming house, and there’s no elevator. There is absolutely NO way I will be able to navigate the stairs here after the surgery when on crutches — not without ending up falling and potentially doing even more damage to myself.
So the only way I can have the surgery is to move to a ground-floor apartment. My landlord has one available, but it’s a slightly higher rent ($650 versus $550) because it’s a full 3 rooms instead of a small studio — and has a full bath and kitchen. Unfortunately, I’d need to pay both first month’s rent and security to move in — a total of $1300. There is some good news though… all the utilities will be included, as they are here, so no extra bills besides phone, internet, car insurance and household/food/medical expenses. Also, it’s a full bathroom instead of just a shower stall and toilet, and a full kitchen with actual counter space.
I will have to get a few used furnishings as, unlike my current studio, the apartment is not furnished. My main priority in that regard is either a recliner or sofa so that I can stretch out and keep the leg (or what remains of it, depending on how things turn out) elevated - and sleep there as well if necessary. Along with that would be a dresser for clothes, and a small table/desk for my computer where I could also eat (eliminating the need for a dinette set).
That means I’d need enough additional cash to pay for the used items and to hire someone to deliver them for me, as the local thrift shops do not offer delivery services. I will also need to have someone help me move what belongings I already have (clothes, computer, kitchen items) to the new place, as I can’t do that myself between my bad back and the bad leg.
I’m estimating the total needed will be about $1700-$1800 to cover both the rent & security deposit and the cost of the used items and delivery charges.
I already tried to get help at least for the rent and security deposit. There’s only one agency, called CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) that provides those benefits in this county (all other groups, including Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, etc., refer you back to CEO for all rent and utility related issues), and they operate under strict rules.
CEO turned down my request because I don’t currently have a job or any kind of benefits (like SSD) to prove I can pay the rent going forward. Although I showed them the receipts from my current place, and my bank statements showing the deposits from Paypal and GFM, they say they can’t accept that as “proof” because voluntary donations aren’t guaranteed to continue. (Well, neither is a paycheck these days, especially for someone with my medical problems.)
This means that, at this point, it’s highly likely I’m going to need a major surgical intervention on my left leg some time in January — however I cannot have that surgery unless I move to a ground floor living space, and I can’t do that without your help, as the only agency that would normally provide such help has turned me down.
So I’m afraid I must ask for help from those of you here at the DK community once more. I wish that were not the case, but I simply have no other choice. The longer I wait, the more chance that amputation will be the only option left — and the apartment won’t be available forever either. Most other landlords would not even talk to me because I don’t have a steady job or income, just like with CEO, so this is really the only option I have at the moment.
Please help if you can, and please spread the word so that others who might be willing to help will know where the need is. Thank you all — so very much.
My Paypal is: MOELOE1126 at AOL dot COM
Friday, Dec 15, 2017 · 1:10:05 AM +00:00
·
MaureenMower
A quick update… I’ve already received $100 in donations, so the total remaining to be raised is now at $1600.
I intend to try to keep costs down as much as possible, so I’m hoping to accomplish everything within the lower end of the goal. Should I be unable to do that, I’ll let everyone know — but for now, at least a start has been made toward getting me into the new place.
Thank you!!