Joe Erickson's Medical Expenses

On the evening of Friday, November 4, 2022, Joe was driving near his cabin in McGregor, MN when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and rolled down a steep bank into a swampy, muddy area. On the way down the hill the vehicle flipped and rolled. Joe was T-boned by a tree in the driver's side which caused an open compound left femur fracture. He also sustained an injury to his lower abdominal area and lost a lot of blood. He tried getting out of the car as he noticed water coming in the car. He couldn't see anything, it was very dark out. He managed to get out of the car, but got stuck in mud. His brother-in-law was with him and thankfully was able to get out of the car and begin helping. Joe's dad was nearby at the cabin and came to help as well. Somehow they were able to get Joe up the hill and to St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

Joe was immediately taken to surgery to stop bleeding, clean the wound, and put his leg in traction. St. Mary's essentially saved Joe's life with quick action, controlling the bleeding and giving him multiple blood transfusions. Two days later they washed the wound again and set the bone with a rod, screws and wires. Joe has also been healing from a traumatic brain injury causing great stress and difficulty focusing. This waxes and wanes, but is slowly improving.

On Friday, November 11th, Joe continued to run fevers and was found to have a blood clot in his left lower leg, not unexpected. He was started on a blood thinner and discharge the next day to Miller Dwan, an Acute Care Physical Rehab on November 12th. He received very good care there and a bit of rest, but unfortunately Joseph could not participate in much rehab due to never ending pain and extreme weakness. Turns out he also had an infection brewing in his lower abdominal wound that extended down his leg. After more bleeding and rising blood counts indicating infection, he was transferred back to the hospital November 15th.

He underwent surgery with a wound incision and drainage on 11/15, which showed evidence of necrotic tissue with a very serous infection tunneling down his left leg, to the rod and screws that had just been put in. Not good. He was started on two broad spectrum antibiotics initially that have now been narrowed down to specifically target the identified bacteria. At the time of his surgery on the 15th he had undergone five surgeries and received 11 pints of blood, and he has since received more. (Feel free to donate blood!) His blood thinner for the blood clot has been held during this time, which also puts him at risk for more clots. But, we are just focusing on the extremely aggressive infection at this time.

The first week was extremely difficult comprehending what happened, but this last week has been even worse worrying about getting control of the infection, undergoing multiple surgeries, trying to save his leg, and realizing that this will take months in the hospital to heal before Joe can even begin the journey toward walking again. Once the infection is eradicated, Joe is eventually going to need plastic surgery to close the wound and replacement of the rod and screws that is in the bone.

Through all of this, Joe's main request is prayer for healing and for his wife and three-year-old son as their life has been turned upside down. Because of the distance from Duluth to the Twin Cities and the risks associated with Joe's infection, the family has been staying in hotels to be near Joe during this critical period.

All we are asking for are prayers, but we understand some of you may wish to contribute to Joseph's rising medical expenses. If that is on your heart, you may do so here.