Bellingham Man Loses his Arm to Flesh-Eating Bacteria.....

MY NAME IS MIKE MONEY & I LOST MY RIGHT ARM TO NECROTIZING FASCIITIS (flesh-eating bacteria, which can be Googled: Necrotizing Fasciitis) on March 9, 2012!  I got it from a simple cut on my hand that got infected while working on my pick-up truck!  The horrific condition attacked my right arm and nearly took my life!!  At 4 a.m. I was begging them: "Please don't take my arm!" but I wasn't given a choice about keeping my arm-Doctors said:  "Either we amputate your arm or you won't make it!" With-in 5 minutes I was taken to surgery!  I awoke to my right arm being amputated!  March 11, 2012, two days after the amputation, the stump of my arm was still infected so I was airlifted from St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, WA. to Harbor-view Trauma Medical Center in Seattle, WA., where they put me on 5 antibiotics at the same time for 4 days, to save my life!  1 in 4 people die from this disease so I am thankful I made it!  

On Dec. 20th, 2012, I went to Harbor-view Trauma Medical Center to have a 5 hour 2nd surgery, this time it was to have my nerve endings tucked up higher to lessen the extreme pain I was having and to make it possible to get a "mechanical" prosthetic arm to fit right & be functional.  The bone was also shorten an inch because it was starting to protrude through the end of my arm stump, and to have the skin tightened.  Dr. Douglas Smith did the surgery, who is a renowed surgeon and is known world wide!  He specializes in amputees needing a "mechanical" prosthetic limb that functions properly.  I was his 41st. patient, which gave me confidence having him do my surgery!  

Since losing my arm I have been unable to work, which has caused un-do hardship for my family of 4.  I want to tell people my story on how easy it is to get this infection & how devastating it can be!  Living in a 2 handed world with 1 hand is a struggle everyday!  I need your prayers, well wishes & support.   

I am seeking financial & occupational help, your support & someone who can do a fund raiser for me so I can get a "mechanical" prosthetic arm & return to work! The cost of a mechanical prosthetic arm: $50,000-$60,000 dollars!   I am low-income so do not have the funds that I need & can use all the help I can get!   

I will be up-dating my web-site and putting an article in Bellingham Hearld if and when a fund raiser is scheduled. There is hope of being able to do a fund rasier the middle of January at Hotel Bellwether at Bellingham Harbor per Jim Haupt, the manager, but don't have all the necessary things to do a fund raiser yet.  I will be working on that after New Years day and will post it here as soon as I know a definate date. I still need servers, food and flyers for the dinner.  I do have a 6 person band that said they would play-Bandzandt, a cafe that said they will do the catering and 92.9 radio said when we know the scheduled date they will be the "voice" for us so it is coming close to being scheduled!

I was interviewed by Komo 4 news on Dec. 24, 2012 while I was at the hospital-I came home Christmas day and the surgery went  well!  Dr. Douglas Smith is an amazing person and surgeon!

Update:  I was back at Harbor-view on Dec. 28, 2012 though to be put on more antibiotics for swelling in the stump of my arm-came home Dec. 30, 2012.  Komo 4 news came to Bellingham that day to finish the article that aired Jan. 1, 2013.  To view the article and see the video go to: komonews.com    

Another Update:  I went back down to Harborview on Jan. 8, 2013 and was re-admitted to the hospital for a 3 hr surgery to irrigate my stump because of an infection!  I came home on the 11th and am doing ok so far!  I go for an appointment tomorrow, Jan. 16th, and will be doing re-hab too, so will know more after tomorrows visit!  

I want to say "THANK YOU" to each and everyone who have sent donations-they are appreciated more than I can say!  I am really anxious to get through with rehab so I can get an arm! 

Donations can be made in person with check or cash at ANY Wells Fargo Bank--make checks payable to: "Carol Susmilch for Mike Money" (w/account ending of 7074 in the notes).  

To mail donation to Wells Fargo make checks payable to: "Carol Susmilch for Mike Money" (w/account ending of 7074 in the notes).  Mail to: Wells Fargo Bank/1780 Front St./Lynden, Wa. 98264      Attn: Tami  

Or you can donate thru paypal.com - click on "Transfer tab"  Use my Mom, Carol Susmilch, email address: carol61640@msn.com

An article telling my story was in Bellingham Hearld Oct. 29, 2012-click on link: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/29/2743858/bellingham-man-who-lost-arm-to.html#storylink=misearch

If you need more information on how to donate call my Mom or me:   Carol Susmilch: 360-820-3166 /  Mike Money: 360-739-9404  Mail: PO Box 31244 Bellingham, Wa. 98228

Email:  carol61640@msn.com   

Web-site:  indiegogo.com/susmilch

Web-site: komonews.com

Web-site: donationsformikesarm.com

Web-site: facebook.com/money

Donate at ANY Wells Fargo Bank or Donate at  PayPal.com