Vanessa Dent
Donation protected
In May 2015 Vanessa woke to find her arm sore and red. She went to see her family physician who gave her antibiotics to treat what was thought to be cellulitis. Over the first 24 hours the pain, swelling, and redness in her arm began to increase. A visit to the emergency department resulted in IV antibiotic treatment, but unfortunately her symptoms did not resolve. She was told by physicians that she had necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease), a rapidly spreading infection that could lead to loss of her limb or death should sepsis develop. Vanessa was rushed into surgery where her arm was opened and the surgeons attempted to remove the infectious tissue. After four surgeries in nine days and three different types of antibiotics, Vanessa was discharged home. For a few weeks Van underwent daily dressing changes with home care, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy treatments.
Two and a half weeks after her first discharge she noticed some fluid leaking near her incision. She planned a visit at the surgeons office a few days later and discovered a pocket of infection near her elbow. She was rushed back to the OR and underwent three additional surgeries in a matter of days. Van was then discharged home with the same course of treatment but also received IV antibiotics at home over the next two weeks.
Vanessa continued physiotherapy treatments and prepared for her return to work after a terrifying summer. One night in August, she awoke to find pain in her arm. A trip to the emergency department in the middle of the night resulted in two additional surgeries, a transfer to the University of Alberta hospital, where her arm was left open for days. She had one final surgery to close up the incision and was sent home. Her time back home was short lived as she had one more admission in Red Deer with surgery and a drain attached to attempt to remove the fluid accumulation.
Vanessa returned to work shortly after as she found the short term disability coverage she had been using since May had run out and she had no available long term disability coverage through her private insurance. She continued attending appointments with specialists in Edmonton and undergoing occupational therapy treatment. After a few weeks back at work and six weeks since her last surgery Vanessa noticed some swelling near her elbow as she was preparing for bed. Fluid had once again accumulated. After attempting to sleep while hoping the swelling would resolve, Van woke up a couple hours later with pain in the area. Another overnight visit to emergency came and now we await new treatment hoping to finally beat this ordeal.
Unfortunately while Vanessa is in hospital she has no means of covering her everyday expenses; her insurance coverage has run out.This account was started to assist Van with some of those costs while she focuses on healing following her fifth admission (and ten surgeries). A big thank you to everyone that has sent along well wishes, prayers, positive thoughts, and has visited during the many days spent in the hospital over the past five and a half months.
Two and a half weeks after her first discharge she noticed some fluid leaking near her incision. She planned a visit at the surgeons office a few days later and discovered a pocket of infection near her elbow. She was rushed back to the OR and underwent three additional surgeries in a matter of days. Van was then discharged home with the same course of treatment but also received IV antibiotics at home over the next two weeks.
Vanessa continued physiotherapy treatments and prepared for her return to work after a terrifying summer. One night in August, she awoke to find pain in her arm. A trip to the emergency department in the middle of the night resulted in two additional surgeries, a transfer to the University of Alberta hospital, where her arm was left open for days. She had one final surgery to close up the incision and was sent home. Her time back home was short lived as she had one more admission in Red Deer with surgery and a drain attached to attempt to remove the fluid accumulation.
Vanessa returned to work shortly after as she found the short term disability coverage she had been using since May had run out and she had no available long term disability coverage through her private insurance. She continued attending appointments with specialists in Edmonton and undergoing occupational therapy treatment. After a few weeks back at work and six weeks since her last surgery Vanessa noticed some swelling near her elbow as she was preparing for bed. Fluid had once again accumulated. After attempting to sleep while hoping the swelling would resolve, Van woke up a couple hours later with pain in the area. Another overnight visit to emergency came and now we await new treatment hoping to finally beat this ordeal.
Unfortunately while Vanessa is in hospital she has no means of covering her everyday expenses; her insurance coverage has run out.This account was started to assist Van with some of those costs while she focuses on healing following her fifth admission (and ten surgeries). A big thank you to everyone that has sent along well wishes, prayers, positive thoughts, and has visited during the many days spent in the hospital over the past five and a half months.
Organizer
Morgan Bradshaw
Organizer
Red Deer, AB