Willem Visser (54) from Homestead is a family man who had his leg amputated earlier this year after a simple fall in his backyard.
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He has been working for the City of Ekurhuleni for the past 11 years as a caretaker at Willie Strauss Hall in Dinwiddie, Germiston.
His leg was amputated after he was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) following the fall in January when he was busy with home improvements.
At the time of the accident, he thought nothing of it as he did not experience any pain besides stiffness in the ankle.
He climbed on top of his roof and continued his chores.
He realised that something was wrong after a day or two of experiencing increasing pain in his right leg and foot.
It became exceedingly difficult to walk.
“I went to Edenvale Hospital and X-rays were done. Nothing was detected. I received pain and anti-inflammatory medication and was sent home. However, there was no relief from the pain,” said Visser.
“I decided on a second opinion and a thorough physical examination was performed and a CT scan.
“Upon the availability of the results, the physician diagnosed PAD in my right lower leg and foot,” said Visser.
PAD is a circulatory condition which is categorised as the narrowing of blood vessels, which in Visser’s case led to a reduction of blood flow to his right lower leg and foot.
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He was referred to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital’s vascular department and on March 16 he was examined by the vascular surgeon.
Visser was informed that he will have to undergo femoral popliteal bypass surgery (fem-pop bypass) which creates a new route for blood flow to the lower leg.
“My bypass was done on May 12 and appeared to be a success.
“However, during a follow-up examination by the vascular surgical team, they found my right big toe turning blue. I was rushed back into theatre for another fem-pop bypass,” said Visser.
He was rushed back to the theatre on May 17 as the veins in his right lower leg blocked up again and his right foot started turning blue.
This resulted in a fourth fem-pop bypass on May 20 as the scenario repeated itself after the third attempt.
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“The vascular surgical team was confused as to why the veins in the right leg kept on blocking and constricting blood circulation to the right foot.
Despite all the efforts made by the surgical team, a heartbreaking decision had to be made by me, in consultation with my vascular surgical team.
“The decision was to amputate my right leg above the knee as the only option to stop the decay of my right lower leg and foot.”
The leg was amputated on June 22 and Visser was discharged when the vascular surgical and physiotherapist teams were happy with his progress.
“A long road to recovery is ahead of me. I am attending physiotherapy, and occupational therapy and I have regular visits to the vascular clinic,” said Visser.
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“On August 24, I was assessed by an orthotist at the Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital. It led me to receive a prosthetic leg on September 15.”
The Visser family has called on the community for financial support towards Willem’s campaign to get a new Gawie Otto prosthetic leg which features a trias foot, pneumatic polycentric 3R78 knee joint and superskin cover.
“The cost is R121 200 and the deposit is R84 900. It is challenging to learn to walk again, especially as I am an outgoing and outdoor person,” said Visser.
“It has been strenuous for my family to get used to the ‘new’ me. My family being my wife, two daughters, four grandchildren and my mother-in-law are used to getting my full attention and know me to participate in outdoor activities with them.
“My basic prosthetic leg allows only limited activities.
“I do not have medical aid and unfortunately, the cost of such a special needs prosthetic leg is far too high.
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“Any person willing to consider supporting me in getting this special leg will mean the world to me. It will enable me to continue with a productive life under these challenging circumstances,” said Visser.
For more information contact Visser on 079 251 8917 or email willemvisser2@gmail.com
Alternatively, contact Nadine Visser on 061 657 8017 or email at vissernadine1@gmailcom.
