Help Mike Recover from MRSA Sepsis and Amputation

Help Mike Recover from MRSA Infection and Leg Amputation

Dear family, friends, and possible benefactors:

This is Mike pictured with his grandson. Mike was blessed with great athletic ability and excelled in multiple sports in High School. With those abilities came a great personality and demeanor. One where he was known as a good friend to all and enemy to none. Mike attended Iowa State University on a football scholarship and played for the Cyclones in the mid 1970’s until a knee injury sidelined him.

Mike went on to finish his degree in Economics but decided to pursue his dream of coaching football at the collegiate level working with several teams across mid-America.

During those coaching years Mike and wife Cheri raised two sons and a daughter.

Mike left coaching over a decade ago to work in various positions in retail, logistics, and most recently in private security.

Mike moved to Atlanta, GA from Pittsburgh, PA this past Spring to be closer to his daughter and be present for the birth of his grandson.

Mike’s brother Albert also lives in the area. His prospect for spending more time with family had tripled. He quickly found work in a security company and settled in for a new life in Georgia.

The Biggest Challenge of His Life

Mike, the father, brother and friend to many, is experiencing the biggest challenge of his life. For months he has been battling one health issue after another. In August, an infection in his left foot had to be incised and drained. In September, he had a shoulder operation which further limited his mobility and ability to work.

While recovering from the shoulder surgery Mike tripped and had a near fall, fracturing bones in his right foot. At the end of September, doctors treating his fractured foot, diagnosed more infection in his left foot. Doctors again admitted Mike into the hospital for a new regimen of antibiotics. On October 2, he had to have surgery to clean out the infection. Mike was sent to a rehab center after his hospital stay. If that wasn’t enough to stress about; during his rehab, the security company he was working for lost their contracts and later informed Mike they didn’t have a position for him any longer. All while his medical bills were compounding.

Yet, his misfortune didn’t end there. A week or so after getting out of rehab his daughter (Amber) found him at his apartment unable to stand, get around, or comprehend his septic condition. She called 911 and they took him to the emergency room. The diagnosis was sepsis in multiple infected areas in his body and bloodstream. The staph infection in his foot had progressed to the antibiotic resistant strain known as MRSA. On November 10, Mike’s left foot had to be amputated with many other areas in his body needing to be disinfected.

The Medical Expenses are Piling Up

As mentioned before, Mike’s medical bills were compounding. His surgery and hospital bills are quickly increasing. He received one bill for $74,000. His Medicare and supplemental plans will only cover up to $60,000. With only a modest monthly social security income and now being disabled from an amputation, Mike will not be able to work again for quite some time and pay these bills.

This is why his friends and family have started this goFundme campaign. Please consider helping Mike and his family pay his medical, recovery and rehabilitation expenses.