Hi my name is Ashley. Usually I am not one to ask for help with anything because if I can't do it or make it happen myself then that is life. However back on 04.16.2024 this journey started for me. I had surgery to fuse two joints in my foot and to fixate a ligament. I would be down and off work for 6 weeks, all was well so my family and I thought. In May everything took a turn and I ended up having to be hospitalized for the first time due to developing MRSA in my foot. I was only hospitalized for a few days and was on the road to recovery. However two days after being home I found myself back in the hospital as the MRSA infection was not getting better as it seemed and in fact was worse. I ended up having my second surgery on 05.25.2024 to debride my foot and wash it out. My wound was left opened and a wound vac was used. I was allowed to come home the beginning of June with the wound vac which would stay on until the middle of July. Thankfully I was blessed with amazing home health nurses. Things were finally looking up somewhat. I was able to have what should of been my 3rd and final surgery on 08.09.2024 to remove hardware and place a skin graft. My skin graft took about 55-60% however it seemed to jumpstart my body to producing what it needed to close the wound the rest of the way. During this time a pathology report came back showing that I may or may not have a chronic bone infection. While awaiting a FDG Pet scan I suffered a set back when the tendon that had been exposed since May ruptured. I was advised we needed to await scan result before we could talk about fixing the ruptured tendon. I was finally able to get my scan on 10.11.2024. Unfortunately the results were not what I was hoping for. The scan shows that I do indeed have chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection) which has spread to the soft tissue and skin surface. We are currently looking at surgery number 4 in the very near future and that will most likely not be my last surgery.
I did have short term however it was only 66% of my pay and out of that 66% my families health insurance was deducted along with all the standard deductions. I am now awaiting to see if I am approved for long term as today marks the 6 month mark that I have been dealing with this situation. While dealing with this situation I have been unable to be your typical boy mom to my 8 year old nor be a fully functioning mom to my older children. I am non weight bearing and have been since the very first surgery. I have been blessed with an amazing 17 year old son who never hesitates to assist me with anything including driving me to appointments and helping with his younger brother. I do have an amazing support system however financially everyone is tapped because of how long this has been going on.
I am just trying everything in my power to get my life back and to save my foot in the process. Sadly I am starting to financially drowned and trying to save the roof over my children's head, keep the lights on and the gas (heat, stove and hot water) on for my kids. I know the holidays are upon us and everyone is struggling but if you could assist in any way even if it is just sharing this out it would mean the world to my family and I.
Thank you for reading,
Ashley
