Gregory Wiggers Gregory K Wiggers

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At the early age of twenty-two months I was diagnosed with
diabetes.  From that time till now I have
fought a different fight than most and continue fight a constant battle with my
health and the blows it deals me, on a daily basis. 

For those of you who know me and have followed my updates on
FaceBook, this may seem a bit redundant at first.  There are many others who do not have
FaceBook who are wondering about my status as well and thus I have decided to
begin a CaringBridge site. 

It was the day after Thanksgiving, 2016 – November 25- when
I realized something very different was taking place in my legs.  I’ve fought with neuropathy and arterial and
venous disease for that past ten years and knew a day would come that I’d
either lose my legs through amputation or some other way. 

Theresa, Alex and I had been to Wisconsin to visit my
parents for Thanksgiving.  It seemed as
if nothing really was wrong that day but then in the afternoon I noticed I was
no longer able to move my legs like I had before.  Theresa and I went out Friday and did a bit
of shopping and then went back home that evening.  Saturday morning came and I knew then that my
worse fear of not being able to walk had come true. 

Saturday night I lost mobility 100%.  Theresa and Alex helped me to the bathroom a
couple of times that night from the bed. 
It became obvious that I’d need help from outside sources to move around
so Theresa call the ambulance to have them come get me down the twenty two
steps we have to get into the apartment we now live in. 

Things moved quickly after that.  I was transferred to our local Hospital and
then to St. Cloud, MN.  After several
hours in the E.R. in St. Cloud the Doctor decided they didn’t have the right
team to treat me and sent me on to Minneapolis to Hennepin County Medical
Center. 

A team of 17 doctors were brought in to begin a rigorous
workup to see if they could figure out what might have happened.  I kept telling them, it’s the diabetes!  They had to do the workup and all the tests
though.  I had scans, MRI’s and an EMG
done.  Finally, when all was done and
said the lead Neurologist told me, we can’t help you!  The diabetic neuropathy has taken its toll on
you along with the vein and arterial clotting and hardening. 

I was told I’d need PT / OT to determine my options for
living as there’s no way I’d be able to go up and down 22 steps anymore.  So, after a few phone calls, my step-daughter
Megan was able to locate a nursing home in Little Falls that had a room
available. 

I was transferred to St. Otto’s Care Center on the second of
December, 2016 where I’m currently living now. 
For the next three weeks, I was moved to a wheelchair and the bathroom
by machine.  I could not move my lower
extremities at all.  Somehow, through all
this I managed to keep my head up and not give up. Let me tell you, that’s a
great temptation during times like this, but I somehow hung on.

On December 28th, the day was moving along as
normal as always.  I was sitting in my
wheelchair waiting for lunch.  It was ten
minutes to twelve when suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my left shoulder
from my back!  I wasn’t sure at first what
it could be from; I’ve had heartburn in the past and thought it might be
that.  The pain intensified very rapidly
and I finally gave in a put my light on to call for help.  

I’ll make this short too. 
I was rushed to the hospital which is right next door.  After a CT scan verified that I’d had two
blood clots dislodge from my right leg and pass through my heart and the split
off one landing in my left lung and the other in the right.

I was put on blood thinners to dissolve the clots and
immediately found improvement in the muscle activity in my left and right legs
and feet.  Within one week from this
happening I was again able to walk short distances.  Therapy was restarted and I’m now facing
another major challenge to walk distances that will be necessary for basic
living needs. 

One would feel the story should end there, but God has
different plans for me.  In the first
week after the clots I’ve developed severe chest pains and have been restricted
from doing aggressive therapy to help with regaining strength to walk.  I’m able to ambulate but haven’t gained as
much strength as is needed to climb the twenty two steps in our apartment, so I’m
here till we find a different place with appropriate accommodations.  

I'll continue to update from this point.  Thank you for your interest.