Stand by Rick: Medical Expenses and Hope

Rick was admitted to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. He has been in the hospital since May 14, 2025, without a discharge date at this time. When Rick was admitted, he was in septic shock, causing complete organ failure. Every day, he was fighting for his life. For five days, they couldn’t find what was causing Rick to be so sick. On day number five, the Infectious Disease Doctor and the Orthopedic surgeon ran with a hunch and took Rick to surgery. Thank goodness they did, Rick had Necrotizing Fasciitis of his left leg (also known as the flesh-eating disease). This was the first of what would ultimately be four total surgeries. After his first surgery, Rick was put on a ventilator for 9 days for safety reasons as he was going to be making multiple trips to the operating room where the doctors would need to clear the infection from his leg. Along with all of this, Rick had a total of five blood transfusions and one platelet transfusion. Rick has suffered from some mental confusion from his body being so sick for so long, and from something they call ICU delirium. This will clear with time. Sammi has been by his side for all 26 days and counting that Rick has been in the hospital. Rick’s blood work and tests are all looking good at this time. The doctors are keeping a very close watch on him for any changes. Rick will have a long road to complete recovery as he has to relearn how to walk and he will need to build back all of the muscles he has lost from being in bed for so long. Rick also doesn’t have medical insurance so the cost of all of this is all on Rick and Sammi. Any help to help get Rick and Sammi through this difficult time would be greatly appreciated.