The last three weeks have been some of the longest of my life. On August 17th I was rushed to the hospital with diabetic keto acidosis. I did not know I was diabetic or had neuropathy, but I had an infected cut on my foot. The infection and diabetes fed off each other, and because of the neuropathy I didn’t feel the pain I should have. The result that day was losing half my foot. I chose to do an amputation of my lower leg just over a week later. I’ve done a week of rehab since and today I go home after three weeks. I’m beyond grateful.

In these past three weeks I’ve faced my mortality, my future, and the possibility of not doing a lot of things I love. The doctors at St. Luke’s Anderson saved my life. The nurses and staff kept me going. The staff at Sacred Heart rehab really put me back together. I’m fortunate. I had more visitors, calls, and texts than I could ever imagine. It kept me going. Other people wanting me to live was an even stronger motivation than my own desire to. Again, I’m grateful to everyone.

I will live and walk again. I have two pieces of advice for anyone who reads this. First, if you are uninsured, go on your state’s exchange and buy an insurance plan for 2025 under the Affordable Care Act. It cost me a couple dollars, but I’m not in financial ruin because I had good insurance. Second, get your blood work and watch every wound. This may very well have happened to me anyway, but it would have been better if I had known.

If you’re reading this, love ‘ya. Value life everyday.