Pittsburgh Surgeon Visit for Amanda
Donation protected
This is extremely hard for me. I went from being someone that was completely independent, to someone that needs help from others on a daily basis. I’m still working on my disability (denied twice and have a lawyer appealing my denial but we are about a year away from even a hearing date), so I have no income and a lot of physical problems that need taken care of so I can eventually, I hope, return to work. That is the end goal!
My physical problems started in 1999 when I broke both my left tibia and fibula in half, a few inches above my ankle bone. Because I was under 16, and my body was still growing, there is a theory that my tibia bone stopped growing after the titanium rod was inserted into my tibia due to the trauma. It is fact that the tibia stopped growing, the theory would be why. Meanwhile, my left fibula was left to heal on its own. Not too much longer after the fracture and surgery, I started experiencing horrible bouts of back pain, that would land me in the ER. This started happening more than 10x a year. Now, to add more to the mix, I have been in FOUR auto accidents. Promise, I’m not the bad driver, I must have a target on me or my car. I’ve been hit by a car where the driver was passed out, and I’ve been hit by a drunk driver that fled the scene. These wrecks added problems like the cervical curvature of my neck reversed for instance. Due to these wrecks, I started seeing physical therapists, Chiropractors, and massage therapists - they all told me my left leg was short and I had scoliosis. Some of them tried shoe inserts and others went so far to build up my shoes. I tried it, numerous times, and if anything, it made the problem worse - which stumped most medical professionals. They all told me to return to my orthopedic surgeon. My first ortho surgeon had left the practice, so I was essentially passed around their group, seeing whichever surgeon was available, and while there, my leg lengths were never x-ray’d or even measured, not even with a tape measure. The orhopedic surgeons knew best is what I initially thought. But as time went by, and my physical health kept deteriorating, I started to doubt them and started to believe they may have been negligent. Add to the mix, that I start having strange things happening to me, like constant low grade fever, constant menstrual cycle, and head zaps. I had developed heavy metal poisoning from the titanium alloy rod that had been in my body for a little over 10 years. Once I had some good medical professionals helping me, we were able to find a surgeon to remove the rod (couldn’t discuss metal poisoning or allergies as those are highly controversial in the land of orthopedic surgery) and then a plan to go see a new orthopedic surgeon that was not affiliated with the ones who had dismissed me for years. Dr Leith in Ashland, KY was such a breath of fresh air- he confirmed that I did indeed have an issue where my tibia is so short, it is no longer a weight bearing bone. My poor fibula has tried to be the weight bearing bone, but it continues to bow at the old fracture site since it is only meant to be an ankle support bone/non-weightbearing bone. Dr Leith said all the things I had been hoping to hear, except that the Taylor Spatial Frame and the leg lengthening surgeries were above him. So that left me with trying to find a surgeon nearby that was qualified and would perform these complex surgeries. With all things regarding this, it’s been a long fight and it’s been difficult. But I have finally found a surgeon that would do exactly what needs done, and that is Dr Plakseychuk.
I’ve been working on the requirements that Dr Plakseychuk has requested during my first visit in May in order to perform the very painful and long process of leg lengthening for my left tibia and fibula. I will be needing to go back to Pittsburgh for my second office visit in the next few months to evaluate my progress for getting surgery ready. The picture at the top of this is an example of a Taylor Spatial frame, what I will have on my left leg (YaY! Sarcasm is necessary to get through all of this), Below are pictures of a letter stating my problems are beyond local surgeons and a bio of Dr Plakseychuk, my surgeon. I will need help with transportation, most likely a rental car, gas, food, and lodging for two nights for two people.
I know it is a very rough time of the year for everyone as the holidays are very expensive, but I would greatly appreciate any help you can give. Thank you for reading!
My physical problems started in 1999 when I broke both my left tibia and fibula in half, a few inches above my ankle bone. Because I was under 16, and my body was still growing, there is a theory that my tibia bone stopped growing after the titanium rod was inserted into my tibia due to the trauma. It is fact that the tibia stopped growing, the theory would be why. Meanwhile, my left fibula was left to heal on its own. Not too much longer after the fracture and surgery, I started experiencing horrible bouts of back pain, that would land me in the ER. This started happening more than 10x a year. Now, to add more to the mix, I have been in FOUR auto accidents. Promise, I’m not the bad driver, I must have a target on me or my car. I’ve been hit by a car where the driver was passed out, and I’ve been hit by a drunk driver that fled the scene. These wrecks added problems like the cervical curvature of my neck reversed for instance. Due to these wrecks, I started seeing physical therapists, Chiropractors, and massage therapists - they all told me my left leg was short and I had scoliosis. Some of them tried shoe inserts and others went so far to build up my shoes. I tried it, numerous times, and if anything, it made the problem worse - which stumped most medical professionals. They all told me to return to my orthopedic surgeon. My first ortho surgeon had left the practice, so I was essentially passed around their group, seeing whichever surgeon was available, and while there, my leg lengths were never x-ray’d or even measured, not even with a tape measure. The orhopedic surgeons knew best is what I initially thought. But as time went by, and my physical health kept deteriorating, I started to doubt them and started to believe they may have been negligent. Add to the mix, that I start having strange things happening to me, like constant low grade fever, constant menstrual cycle, and head zaps. I had developed heavy metal poisoning from the titanium alloy rod that had been in my body for a little over 10 years. Once I had some good medical professionals helping me, we were able to find a surgeon to remove the rod (couldn’t discuss metal poisoning or allergies as those are highly controversial in the land of orthopedic surgery) and then a plan to go see a new orthopedic surgeon that was not affiliated with the ones who had dismissed me for years. Dr Leith in Ashland, KY was such a breath of fresh air- he confirmed that I did indeed have an issue where my tibia is so short, it is no longer a weight bearing bone. My poor fibula has tried to be the weight bearing bone, but it continues to bow at the old fracture site since it is only meant to be an ankle support bone/non-weightbearing bone. Dr Leith said all the things I had been hoping to hear, except that the Taylor Spatial Frame and the leg lengthening surgeries were above him. So that left me with trying to find a surgeon nearby that was qualified and would perform these complex surgeries. With all things regarding this, it’s been a long fight and it’s been difficult. But I have finally found a surgeon that would do exactly what needs done, and that is Dr Plakseychuk.
I’ve been working on the requirements that Dr Plakseychuk has requested during my first visit in May in order to perform the very painful and long process of leg lengthening for my left tibia and fibula. I will be needing to go back to Pittsburgh for my second office visit in the next few months to evaluate my progress for getting surgery ready. The picture at the top of this is an example of a Taylor Spatial frame, what I will have on my left leg (YaY! Sarcasm is necessary to get through all of this), Below are pictures of a letter stating my problems are beyond local surgeons and a bio of Dr Plakseychuk, my surgeon. I will need help with transportation, most likely a rental car, gas, food, and lodging for two nights for two people.
I know it is a very rough time of the year for everyone as the holidays are very expensive, but I would greatly appreciate any help you can give. Thank you for reading!
Organizer
Amanda Holbrook
Organizer
Barboursville, WV