As I sit here with my morning coffee and check my messages, I am presented with someone in crisis with one of the most debilitating diseases most have never heard of, yet is more prevalent and deadlier than all cancers combined, except for lung cancer.

It’s called Peripheral Artery Disease, blocked arteries in mainly the legs that restrict blood flow to the feet, putting a patient at risk for amputation.

The daughter of a PAD patient currently in the hospital sent me a disturbing picture this morning that I’ve had to jump on quickly.

The hospitalist wasn’t listening to have a vascular surgeon review some unusual bruising that seemed to be travelling before their eyes.

So, I had to step in and explain the potential complications of surgery to the hospitalist.

Low and behold, the vascular surgeon was by her side within moments ordering additional imaging, concerned about potential bleeding…and she was right, back to surgery!

It’s my daily routine to start with helping patients and their families with an immediate need that couldn’t be put off for even an hour.

I am always available throughout the night.

My Leg Saver Hotline call center knows I will not sleep through an emergency.

I have them on a setting to break sleep mode on my phone.

But for those who aren’t in need of advocacy in an emergency room or financial support to cover a copay for care overnight, I touch base with sometimes before I even get out of bed if needed (I’ve had days where I didn’t move for hours as I coordinated a patient’s care urgently.

Most I’m able to take a moment to kiss my dogs, let them outside, and grab a cup of coffee before I sit down at 6:30am to start sifting through my messages and begin facilitating advocacy and support.

I honestly wish I could do so much more!

If only I didn’t need to sleep, I wouldn’t (so many nights I can’t!).

If only I didn’t need to eat, I wouldn’t.

If only I didn’t need to exercise, well, I still would and my phone would be glued to my hands (actually it is!) with every step on the treadmill.

My passion and purpose in life is to save the life and limbs of others.

I just wish I could do more.

I wish every patient in need would find our Leg Saver Hotline to help!

I wish companies would see our tangible impact, with nearly 100,000 patient interactions since inception in 2019 and nearly 1,000 tangible limbs saved through our efforts, and donate funds or even their own social media and marketing team to help us with our outreach!

What keeps me awake at night?

It’s knowing there’s someone, somewhere who needs me and doesn’t know I exist and am ready to help them!

I wish I could do more…