Let's Get Brenda Back on Her Feet!

Our colleague and friend Brenda suffered a series of medical events this winter and spring that have unfortunately resulted in multiple surgeries and multiple weeks of being unable to work. To add insult to injury, her car is also in need of some expensive repairs. Consequently, Brenda's medical and vehicle expenses are far beyond what she expected them to be for the year and she needs some financial support to pay off bills. Let's rally around this dedicated educator and student advocate. Please read below to hear more from Brenda about this medical journey she's had.

From Brenda:

On Feb. 20th I was admitted to hospital for an infected toe. I was put on cephapine and Flagyl. That wasn’t sufficient to cure the infection, however.

On Feb. 22nd I had a transmetatarsal amputation and Achilles lengthening on my left foot. No more toes on that foot to get infected, so that’s good! And my a1C was 5.7, excellent news especially because having tightly controlled sugars helps everyone to recover better and more quickly from surgery, not just diabetics.

On Feb. 27th, three days after coming home, my Achilles tendon ruptured. This happened while it was in the cam boot, which was supposed to protect it but didn’t.

Finally, I was out of the cam boot and into my new CROW (Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker) boot for the left foot and a custom diabetic shoe on the right.

On April 14th, the morning after wearing the boots for the first time, I was back in the ER. I was terrified that my right great toe was infected. It wasn’t. It had sustained some micro trauma and the toenail had to be removed. There was a large blood blister under the nail. They put me in a surgical shoe and on oral antibiotics. Phew! Best case scenario for that day.

On April 17th I returned back to work at Wines Elementary. (Go Wildcats!)

On April 18th, I followed up with my podiatrist. I took the new boot in and he checked it over as well as my foot. Everything was looking good. I could even start wearing the new boot again. Cool beans!

On April 25th while doing my nightly foot check, I discovered a surprise. The fourth toe on my right foot had somehow gotten injured. I took pictures of it and sent them to my doc, used betadine and wrapped it up. I asked if he wanted me to dress it differently, did I need to go back on antibiotics, should I come in before my next scheduled appointment. The next day his office contacted me and said to do daily dressing changes, but I didn’t need to go on antibiotics or be seen sooner. However, if the redness increased, call the office.

On April 27th I called and spoke to the on call doctor. The doctor prescribed two different oral antibiotics. Fortunately, there was a pharmacy nearby that was open after 9 pm. He also said if it was any worse in the morning, go to the hospital.

On the morning of April 28th, it was a wee bit worse. I didn’t want to miss work but I went to the ER as instructed. I figured doing so would keep me from getting hospitalized. I thought that I might be able to get to work before lunchtime. I was wrong. On both counts. When they unwrapped my foot in the ER, the entire top of my foot was bright red. It hadn’t been red at all two hours prior when I had checked it at home.

So I was admitted to the hospital and put on Vancomycin immediately then cephapine, and flagyl. I went through the whole battery of tests again. My a1C was now 5.2! Good news there! However, there was no chance that the I.V. antibiotics would cure the infection.

On April 30th they amputated the toe.

Oh, yes. You read that right. In two and a half days I went from injury to infected so badly I had to have an amputation and was put on Vancomycin (the strongest antibiotic). No, it’s not supposed to happen that quickly. It’s supposed to take weeks or months of neglect to become so infected that an amputation is required.

On May 8th, I was able to return to work (again!) even though my stitches weren’t out yet. I should be getting them removed tomorrow at my next doctor appointment.

As for the boot? The current theory is that my foot and boot were not playing nice. That the interaction between them was the problem. I will not be going back into that boot until after I see my orthotist next week. He will evaluate the boot and hopefully figure out the problem so he can make the necessary adjustments.

As if that weren’t enough, my car demanded some serious attention. I had to have the battery, GRE valve, and front brakes replaced. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of my car dying again while I was driving or of it failing to stop properly. I know, I know. It is a lot to ask of a car…

I was out of work for just over 9 weeks. I have insurance (thanking everybody and all the things). Even so, my medical expenses are far beyond what I expected them to be for the year. My FSA is depleted. It should have lasted me all year, and would have done were it not for all this. All copays for medical appointments and medication have to come out of my household budget.

My cat, Serenity, refuses to get a job. Heck, she won’t even help with the chores around the house. Since I am the only other person in the household, it falls on me to bring home the cat food.

Between the lost income, the increased medical expenses, and the car problems I am now behind on some bills. I have applied for help from MDHHS and was denied for everything. I asked the social worker at the hospital for resources to help me but she didn’t know of any.

Which brings me here, to today. I am asking my community to help me get back on my feet. I have tried to do this on my own, but I can’t. I need your help. Any amount you can give will make a difference be it $25 or even $5.

I am so grateful for your kindness, compassion, and generosity. And for the jokes! If you have any good jokes please share them with me!