Doug Walkinshaw, 56 years old from Fort Walton Beach, FL
Back in March of 2022, Doug Walkinshaw developed a serious staph bacterial pneumonia called MRSA that progressively got worse and reached a critical state on March 12, 2022. If it were not for his brother calling 911 that day, he would have died due to seriousness of the infection. His conditions when he arrive at the FWB ER were deteriorating, fever of 106.7 and he was transferred to ICU and put on a ventilator. His organs were all shutting down and resulted in him being place of full life support and given 24-28 to live unless his body starting fighting back to help the healing process. The family was called in as he had reached a critical stage.
Doug spent 26 days in ICU with his family be his side the entire time overseeing his medical journey with a portion of that time being in a coma as his body fought the infection. The doctors were truly surprise that Doug made it through the initial 48 hours.
Doug suffered from critical illness myopathy (CIM) and polyneuropathy (CIP). This occurs in the ICU when patients are so sick that they cannot perform proper OT (occupational therapy) & PT (physical therapy) due to severe muscle weakness and nerve loss from being in a critical illness state. Even though the therapists worked on him, he was like a piece of wet spaghetti. He had lost all the feeling in his fingers and toes when they were poking him with a pin to check reflexes and nerve activity.
Doug was in various hospitals for the balance of 2022, and into 2023. After 11 months, he was finally released. Doug was not able to go back to his home in Fort Walton Beach because of the lack of 24/7 caregiver services and home health availability, and to be close to his daughter and son-in-law for his skilled nursing needs.
Doug’s insurance policy does not cover CNA care or the apartment rent. It costs about $25,000 per month for CNA around the clock care. He still has to pay for an apartment, various bills and insurance which makes his monthly costs close to $30,000 per month.
The CNA care is good and helps the PT and OT. God has performed many miracles and blessings in Doug’s life since this happened in March 2022. The fact he is alive and no brain damage in a miracle.
After spending nearly an entire year hospitalized, Doug is left quadriplegic and having to pay for rehabilitation expenses and 24/7 care out of pocket. Since insurance will not cover 24/7 care and has denied most rehabilitation claims, Doug has been draining his retirement fund which will run out this summer. He is making progress and is capable of recovering, but it is a difficult, slow and expensive process.
Doug thanks God for each day and for all the prayers of family and friends. He is confident that there are more miracles and blessings to come that include:
- Moving his hands
- Moving his feet
- Standing up and transitioning to a chair
- Taking a shower
- Getting dressed
- Walking
- Driving
- Talking more clearly
