Tim’s Journey - From Muscle Cramp to Amputation

As you are aware, Tim is an amazing guy and always the first to lend a helping hand. We would love to help Tim get back on his feet, he will require many items to make life as comfortable as possible. 

Tim’s Journey. Viewer Discretion Images Attached 

What began on April 19th as a severe muscle cramp, led to a Staph + MRSA infection which ultimately cost him his right leg. 

APRIL 20: Surgery 1: Healing Prayers for my hubs Tim Vanderklok. We went into the ER for what we thought was a pulled muscle. This progressed to infection and extreme swelling which then led to surgery. Day 2 surgery today was looking like an amputation. So thankful he is resting with both legs. Tim has a long journey ahead of him and will need your prayers. Surgery three is Saturday. This guy is my best friend, my husband, my heart and a large piece of me. I need him here. Please keep him in your prayers. A huge thank you to Dan Chmay and Melissa Chmay after my car got towed while this was happening and to Murna Vanderklok and Jerry Vanderklok for being my strength. My kids Reese Doucett and Joey Elgie for stepping up and taking care of the pets at home. I couldn’t have done it without you. And for everyone else reaching out.

APRIL 21: Thank you everyone for the outpouring of love.  I’m sorry if I haven’t been able to reach you all but I’m trying. 

The hospital staff have been amazing. We finally know what we are fighting. Tim has been sedated and will stay that way until after his surgery tomorrow. He has two serious infections. MRSA + Staph Infection. These are both bad infections for the average healthy person, where Tim is a Type 1 diabetic which makes it all the more challenging for him. 

The whole team at the hospital is working hard for him. His journey won’t be easy but he is strong and I know he will battle through this storm just like the rest. 

We need him. Please keep him in your prayers.

APRIL 23: Sunday update: Tim was just taken into his 3rd surgery. Please send positive vibes and prayers. Will update more when he comes out.

Update: Tim is out of surgery. The surgeon was not able to close today. They had to remove some muscle and he will be back in surgery on Tuesday. He will remain sedated until after that. 

He is doing well but still has a long way to go.

APRIL 24: Monday April 24th 7 pm! UPDATE ON TIM! Tim going for 4th surgical procedure tomorrow at 2 pm, as of right now! Tim has had some good reports today and some not so good, the Drs are working hard. He was more responsive this evening. And I’m thankful for small steps.

APRIL 25: The outpouring of love and prayers for Tim has been so amazing. Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I’m trying to keep you updated and I’m sorry I can’t respond to everyone. 

Tim goes into surgery today at 2 

(Round 4) Praying they can close his leg today and that he responds to the medication well. 

On a good Note: The Dr’s have lessened his sedation and he can open his eyes although still intubated he understands what I’m saying. He is a fighter and I couldn’t be more proud of him. 

Prayers Up You’ve got this Timmie. 

Update: Tim is out of surgery. He has two vac dressings on his lower calf. He is in a ton of pain. Still very critical. Will be going back in again in Thursday with orthopaedic surgeon and plastic surgery. Removed more muscle today. He is still fighting. 

APRIL 26: Day 6 in ICU and 4 surgeries in. Tim has two vac dressings for the lower calf. He is heavily sedated. More tests today and scheduled for surgery 5 tomorrow to hopefully close with orthopaedic/plastic surgeon. For today we rest and wait and pray. 

APRIL 27: Tim will be having surgery 5 today. Hopefully to close the leg. He still has infections and as of last night a fever. They have done more blood cultures yesterday. Will update when he comes out of surgery but don’t have a time yet.

Update: Ughhh. So frustrating. Tim won’t be going for surgery until tomorrow now. He gets a second day to rest and heal between surgeries. He does have a pulse in foot so that’s good and respiration is good. Some positives. One more day but staying positive

APRIL 28: No surgery for today, again postponed until tomorrow but Tim is awake and the intubation tube is coming out. He will be able to ask questions. Wahooo I can kiss my husband and tell him everything that’s happened. He is still very ill and has a ways to go. One more surgery tomorrow. 

APRIL 30: They just took Tim in for surgery # 5. Praying for good news today. He is in good spirits, no intubation, no gastric tube. 

Praying no more muscle or tissue has to be removed and they can start to close him up. 

Prayers Up high babe. You got this. 

Update:  The leg has to be amputated. 

Tim is woken to be told he will lose his leg. 

MAY 1: Amputation day, the family is told it will have to be above the knee however if the infection has risen it would be higher. The surgeon assures us he will do everything he can to save as much as possible to leave the option of a prosthetic. The infection is spreading quickly and moving up the thigh and towards to groin. We pray and wait and 6 hours later Tim is in recovery and he is still able to keep the remainder of his leg. It is left open to be sure and will hopefully close on May 3. 

MAY 3: Again we pray, Tim is stable and still in ICU. We again pray for the infections to be under control and that no more leg needs to be taken. If this were to happen he would never walk with a prosthetic. Further more he could lose his life still if the infection had spread. 

Update: Thank the LORD: they were able to close and he will have the ability to walk with a prosthetic 

MAY 3:  Tim is awake and asked me to write a message. 

As we approach hopefully our last surgery  I have had ample time to think about life and the people who are in my life. 

First thing that comes to mind is the leg the arm the shoulder etc doesn't matter,  your life matters. Was it easy finding out I was able to lose my leg... hell NO  but it's easier when the Dr says ... Tim it's your leg or your life  

This journey has been everything that a journey would normally bring with a cast of characters that's makes a story just so beautiful. My wife, daughters, family,  brothers,  parents, friends  all of you have made this unique and  little more enjoyable. 

I look forward to healing days ahead with  Buffalo bills prosthetics or whatever that craziness looks like but I know the one thing I would never change is my cast of characters that are allowing me to tell my story and hold me up while I do so. 

Thank you all for your positive prayers.

MAY 7: Tim is allowed outside and will be receiving heavy IV medication for weeks to reduce any remaining infection. But on a good note, he got to go outside and see his KIKO beans. 

MAY 13:  Tim’s Moms post: Update on Tim Vanderklok Saturday May 13  8:50 am! Tim is doing fantastic!  Staples were removed yesterday  from stump, and two drains as well! Sutures come out of stump on Friday! Discharge Planner  getting all ducks in a row for goal of going home! Physiotherapy  is going well for Tim and he is working  hard  to learn how to maneuver as an amputee,  until the time comes for a prosthesis!  Sooooooooo, he has begun climbing  this mountain  in his new chapter,  in his book of life, with the help of his wonderful  wife Eileen Deforest-Vanderklok . Still lots of unknowns,  but we are getting there. Continued prayers, thoughts and love are appreciated!  God is so good and has answered  so many prayers!  Again we thankyou for Prayers, thoughts, love and even food! All so appreciated! God Bless each and everyone of you!

MAY 18: So far planned for discharge!! He is doing amazing in physiotherapy daily, learning to maneuver and will continue with rehab after until he is able to have prosthetic. 

Tim has been nothing less than fearless and positive throughout this journey. He has now been in hospital for a month and still waits on heavy IV antibiotics until MRSA is gone as he is still presenting with it a bit. 

Hopefully tomorrow, Friday May 19, is discharge day. 

Once home, he will require the following: 

Rehab to use one leg to get around 

Prosthetic Leg- Fitting and more rehab 

Wheelchair Folding + Electric

Wheelchair Lift

Wheelchair ramps 

In home/out patient wound care 

Transfer boards

Car adaption

And this is just a start. 

Please help make this journey as comfortable as possible for Tim. Thank you to all who have donated. Please continue to share Tim's journey. As the long road ahead is just beginning.