Help Sharon adapt her home
Hi, my name is Kirsty Muncey and I am doing a fundraiser to raise funds to adapt my mum's home.
On the 24th of February 2021 my mum was diagnosed with a DVT in her right leg, confirmed via a scan at Orsett Hospital. She had previously been prescribed with Rivaoxiban by the GP prior to her scan so was advised to continue this to solve the issue.
On Good Friday 2021 her first issue with her foot presented. She was in pain and was unable to walk properly. She attended the out of hours doctors at Basildon Hospital and was told that it was likely to be because of the lack of blood flow due to her DVT but this should pass.
After this my mum attended her GP surgery on several occasions regarding her foot as it was swelling, painful and changing in colour occasionally. At first her GP didn't seem to be concerned but sent her for an x-ray and eventually referred her for an Orthopaedic assessment and a scan.
During the same period she attended the A&E department at Basildon Hospital on a few occasions. She was x-rayed and then reffered back to her GP. Even though at this time she was in a great deal of pain and her foot was red/purple in colour. My mum had not recieved any help despite her numerous trips to her GP surgery and local A&E. It finally got to the point where the pain was becoming unbareable and she requested to see her GP before going on holiday. On this instance my mum was prescribed pain medication and advised if things got any worse to attend A&E local to where she was staying.
Whilst on holiday in Wales visiting family the pain, swelling and colouration of her foot became so severe that she did attend the A&E. On arrival my mum's foot was scanned immediately and it was discovered that she had a blocked artery.
The hospital did attempt an operation to save her leg, but she was told that this would probably be unlikely to work as the blockage should of been noticed much earlier. The operation was unsuccessful and she then had to have an amputation on the 24th June 2021 above her knee.
Upon her return home there was a letter for a scan appointment for two weeks later. I believe that if the A&E department had scanned her when she attended or if the hospital had taken her complaints more seriously this situation could of been avoided.
After waiting 8 weeks the Occupational therapist visited my mum's home to see the adaptions she would require. After the assessment of her home it quickly became apparent that they would not be able to provide my mum with a grant to make the necessary adaptions as my dad is in full time employment, and although not currently at work my mum is employed. She was told that she would have to pay for the changes herself. We believe that this is an injustice in the current system and not at all fair.
All in all we feel as though we have been completely let down not only by the Hospital but by the local Council also.
Unfortunately they do not have this kind of funds available and therefore I have set up this fund in hope that any small donation that people can contribute will help on our target to get the adaptions required to help provide some independence to my mum.
Thank you for reading my story and thank you in advance to anyone who can help.
Kirsty