Post by jakobray01 on Apr 2, 2019 14:48:45 GMT -7
Good Afternoon!
Before I ask for advice I want to offer clarity about me and my current situation and why I think elective amputation would be a positive life decision.
My Name is Jakob and I am 20 yrs old and a Lance Corporal In the Marine Corps. back in August of 2018 I had a severe case of cellulitis that broke out during the crucible. I was in-patient at the Navy Medical Center San Diego where I received IV antibiotics for what was close to two weeks. After a MRI it showed that a abscess developed due to the severity of the infection. after a op made by orthopedics to open and drain/clean the site of the abscess I received a packing to put in my foot till it healed. after that I regularly meet weekly for the past nine months with my podiatrist and a physical therapist to get me back into training so I can move on in my career. over this time I had been admitted twice to the hospital for the infection returning. It finally came to fruition that I would be medically separated from the Marine Corps. My mindset has shifted to make sure I pursue my due diligence in medical treatment plan and health coverage to try to get back to living my life. I have been struggling with this chronic pain from my ankles to my toes in my left foot. having to wear a compression stocking for vascular insufficiency and consistent foot edema with a dark swelling in foot. I have developed a 4th metatarsal stress fracture from just walking. To put in perspective, I have a 3-4 even a 4-5 on the pain scale in my left foot for the past nine months with every other step. At face value that is not catastrophic, but that chronic pain stretched over that extensive period of time has definitely worn me down. I am looking at surgeries with a negative ratio of success. the military will not pursue a amputation just because it's not catastrophic injury. when I am a veteran I can pursue this with the VA.
The reason I believe an elective is my best course of action is mainly due to the information above on the pain I've had everyday for the past nine months. I have sat down and discerned what would be my best course of action without acting on impulse, and I would rather not just feel but know and believe that this permanent solution to an ongoing problem is a more manageable adversity than being the common "multiple years with multiple surgeries wishing I could've done this sooner" statistic. after research and support from family and friends I am ready to stop grieving over my foot and get on with living with what I would rightfully believe to be a BKA.
I am here to seek advice and wisdom on what surgeons I can get a hold of to advocate my case and seek a better pain-free lifestyle. I'm honestly lost on who to turn to or who would be willing to do it, since this is something that I want to set up for the moment I receive my DD-214 (honorable medical discharge). Currently stationed in San Diego if that helps on location. Any advice/wisdom and connections to passionate and willing surgeons would not only be very appreciated but a huge head start to getting my life back on track.
deepest thanks,
Jakob Ray
Before I ask for advice I want to offer clarity about me and my current situation and why I think elective amputation would be a positive life decision.
My Name is Jakob and I am 20 yrs old and a Lance Corporal In the Marine Corps. back in August of 2018 I had a severe case of cellulitis that broke out during the crucible. I was in-patient at the Navy Medical Center San Diego where I received IV antibiotics for what was close to two weeks. After a MRI it showed that a abscess developed due to the severity of the infection. after a op made by orthopedics to open and drain/clean the site of the abscess I received a packing to put in my foot till it healed. after that I regularly meet weekly for the past nine months with my podiatrist and a physical therapist to get me back into training so I can move on in my career. over this time I had been admitted twice to the hospital for the infection returning. It finally came to fruition that I would be medically separated from the Marine Corps. My mindset has shifted to make sure I pursue my due diligence in medical treatment plan and health coverage to try to get back to living my life. I have been struggling with this chronic pain from my ankles to my toes in my left foot. having to wear a compression stocking for vascular insufficiency and consistent foot edema with a dark swelling in foot. I have developed a 4th metatarsal stress fracture from just walking. To put in perspective, I have a 3-4 even a 4-5 on the pain scale in my left foot for the past nine months with every other step. At face value that is not catastrophic, but that chronic pain stretched over that extensive period of time has definitely worn me down. I am looking at surgeries with a negative ratio of success. the military will not pursue a amputation just because it's not catastrophic injury. when I am a veteran I can pursue this with the VA.
The reason I believe an elective is my best course of action is mainly due to the information above on the pain I've had everyday for the past nine months. I have sat down and discerned what would be my best course of action without acting on impulse, and I would rather not just feel but know and believe that this permanent solution to an ongoing problem is a more manageable adversity than being the common "multiple years with multiple surgeries wishing I could've done this sooner" statistic. after research and support from family and friends I am ready to stop grieving over my foot and get on with living with what I would rightfully believe to be a BKA.
I am here to seek advice and wisdom on what surgeons I can get a hold of to advocate my case and seek a better pain-free lifestyle. I'm honestly lost on who to turn to or who would be willing to do it, since this is something that I want to set up for the moment I receive my DD-214 (honorable medical discharge). Currently stationed in San Diego if that helps on location. Any advice/wisdom and connections to passionate and willing surgeons would not only be very appreciated but a huge head start to getting my life back on track.
deepest thanks,
Jakob Ray
