A rising Aussie MMA fighter is currently in the fight of his life against a horrific infection that will almost certainly see him have his leg amputated.
Queenslander Tim Schultz, a professional boxer and mixed-martial arts fighter, has been diagnosed with a severe case of staph infection he picked up in a fight camp in Thailand.
The infection began in his foot but has since spread so severely that it is approaching the bone and rising up to his knee.
Thai doctors have informed him his leg must be amputated but Mr Schultz is desperate to return to Australia to get a second opinion.
His training partner and friend Matthew Yung Lee-Manwar told Daily Mail Australia Tim had been training at Bangtao Muay Thai – one of the most prestigious MMA gyms – for a month when he contracted a staph infection which rapidly got worse.
Rising Aussie MMA fighter Tim Schultz (pictured) is in the fight of his life against a horror staph infection that he contracted in Thailand while in a fight camp with doctors telling him his leg needs to be amputated
The professional boxer and mixed-martial arts fighter, has been diagnosed with a severe case of staph infection with stomach-churning pictures showing the infection he picked up during a fight camp in Thailand (pictured: a hole caused by a staph infection)
The infection began in his foot but has since spread so severely that it is approaching the bone and rising up to his knee, with Thai doctors informing him his leg must be amputated (pictured: Tim’s leg and foot with skin peeled off)
‘Bumps and bruises happen in training, but upon returning from a hike his shin was in a lot of pain so he went to a doctor and got a cortisone injection, as they suspected he had a small bone fragment or deep bruising,’ Mr Lee-Manwar said.
‘The next day Tim collapsed while trying to get out of bed and was rushed to hospital as his foot and shin were extremely swollen.
‘After the first course of antibiotics didn’t work, the Thai hospital said to amputate and he was transferred to a second hospital for another opinion where he’s been for a week now.
‘Tim is most likely going to lose his leg pursuing his dream.’
At a Thai hospital the budding fighter had his leg drilled into and drained at three different locations despite being told they would only make a small incision.
‘He ended up waking up during surgery, feeling all the pain with them removing all the skin of the top of his foot and lower shin. So he was very shocked,’ Mr Lee-Manwar said.
‘His condition in his foot is better, but the infection is spreading to his knee now.’
Staph infections are bacterial infections commonly picked up by combat athletes. It can turn deadly if the bacteria invades deeper into the body or enters the bloodstream.
They are spread from person to person and are extremely contagious with common symptoms including boils and oozing blisters.
It is believed that Tim’s staph infection has also led to a necrotizing fasciitis infection – a serious bacterial infection that destroys the tissue under the skin.
This occurs when bacteria enters the body through a break in the skin, in this case through a hole caused by the staph infection.
It is believed that Tim’s staph infection has also led to a necrotizing fasciitis infection – a serious bacterial infection that destroys the tissue under the skin
Tim said the cost of surgery and his hospital stay will be at least $50,000 so has set up a fundraiser to help cover the costs and bring him back to Australia for further treatment
An Australian doctor has now been flown in to assess Tim and has told him that the wrong antibiotic was used to treat the infection.
Tim had previously had an MRSA staph infection which requires a stronger antibiotic to treat.
While the Aussie purchased health insurance upon arrival in Thailand he is still in the cooling-off period meaning he isn’t covered at all for the operation or hospital stay.
Tim said the cost will be at least $50,000 so has set up a mycause fundraiser to help cover the costs and bring him back to Australia for further treatment.
Mr Lee-Manwar says Tim is hoping to be home in the coming days but is unsure if he can fly even if he is accompanied by two medical professionals as there is a serious risk of blood clots, bleeding, fever and even cardiac arrest.
On the crowdfunding page, Tim said the infection has resulted in a ‘dangerous decline’ in his blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, ‘posing an imminent threat’ to his life.
‘The medical bills associated with this emergency have left me financially drained, leaving me unable to afford the essential care and procedures I urgently require,’ he stated.
‘Throughout my life, I have always been the one to lend a helping hand to others in need, never hesitating to offer assistance or support.
‘It pains me to ask for help, but I have come to realize that there are times when even the strongest among us must humbly request assistance from those around them.
His training partner and best mate Matthew Yung Lee-Manwar (pictured with Tim) told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Tim is most likely going to lose his leg pursuing his dream’
Tim last fought in March for Beatdown Promotions where he secured a second-round submission victory over Michael Stanoff with a rear-naked choke
‘With your support, I can access the medical interventions necessary to combat this life-threatening infection.
‘Your donations will go directly towards covering the mounting costs of hospitalization, emergency treatments, surgeries, medications, and any additional medical expenses that arise during my recovery.’
The MMA community has thrown their support behind the budding fighter, with Australian UFC women’s flyweight fighter Casey O’Neill leading the campaign.
‘I have a friend in Thailand who got a staph infection through to his bone, it’s looking likely he will lose his leg and never be able to fight again,’ she wrote on Twitter
‘He needs to get home immediately as the treatment he is receiving is not helping and he has been lied to about receiving a small incision.
‘He is living a nightmare, skip your morning coffee and donate.’
As of Tuesday, the fundraiser has raised just over $20,000.
Tim last fought in March for Beatdown Promotions where he secured a second-round submission victory over Michael Stanoff with a rear-naked choke.
Tim is hoping to be home in the coming days but is unsure if he can fly even if he is accompanied by two medical professionals as there is a serious risk of blood clots, bleeding, fever and even cardiac arrest (pictured: Matthew and Tim)
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