Matt Randolph

Thank you for caring for Matt Randolph and following this site to get updates on his health.  We plan to keep family and friends updated in this one place.  Matt and Katie appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.  Like many who struggle with physical and mental health issues, Matt has guarded his privacy closely out of a sense of shame and embarrassment, and out of fear of judgment by others.  We will continue to respect his wishes regarding aspects of his care he prefers not to share, but want him to see how many people love and care for him and want to support him during this difficult time.  


Matt's immediate health crisis is a severe infection in one of his legs.  On July 16, he went to the ER at Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) in Warrensburg with severe pain in his leg that made him unable to walk or sleep.  Medical providers diagnosed the infection as the cause.  Sometime in July, Matt fell at home and badly bruised his lower leg, creating a hematoma that became infected.  Another contributing factor is the lymphedema (swelling) in his legs.  They administered oral antibiotics and sent him home with instructions to monitor for symptoms that would trigger need to return to hospital.  On July 25, Matt's pain returned and he was admitted to WMMC so antibiotics could be administered via PICC line.  Doctors administered wound care as well.  Doctors diagnosed him with Type 2 Diabetes and administered insulin.  He was discharged from WMMC on July 28.  On  Saturday, August 1, he again went to the ER at WMMC because another wound on the same leg opened, leading to unstoppable bleeding.  He received stitches to close the wound and was discharged the same day.  His blood work looked better at that point and a follow-up appointment for Monday, August 3 for ongoing wound care.  


At the wound care appointment on August 3, the doctor ordered surgery for Matt's leg because the infection was so severe that amputation was a possible outcome.  The infection had burrowed deep into the back of Matt's leg and an ultrasound showed insignificant spread.    Matt had surgeries at WMMC on August 4, 5, 6, and 7 to identify infection, remove tissue, and drain and treat the affected areas.   During his first surgery the surgeon realized the infection was spread up and down the back of his right leg.   It was more extensive than tests had shown. During  the second surgery another hematoma was found. They think this was the original source of infection as the body tried to break it down. The surgery was extremely invasive and extended far into and up his leg, and his diabetes will complicate the healing process.  Matt is receiving ongoing wound care treatment and will need in-patient care for some time due to the heightened infection risk and extent of skilled care required.  This site will provide updates as Matt continues to fight this infection and heal.


This is one of many health setbacks Matt has had in the past 5-10 years.  Katie is currently approved for unpaid FMLA (Family and Medical Leave) from her job at Walmart as she continues to be the sole person who can visit Matt due to COVID restrictions at the hospital.  COVID is also a factor in the type of skilled care placement Matt will need due to his highly compromised health status.