I am a survivor of NF (Necrotizing Fasciitis), known in the media as "flesh eating bacteria." By the time I entered the operating room, I was septic and in end stage (multiple) organ failure. I had to have parts of my right arm, including my inner forearm, almost all of my upper arm, my entire right armpit and a small part of my right breast removed to save my life. The first night in ICU, I was given a 4% chance of survival.
I endured several more surgeries, as well. Surgeons removed almost all the skin from my arm, almost all of the fat and fascia, a lymph node and some muscle. Luckily, no bone was lost, so I got to keep my arm. I had an 8 hour skin graft surgery (ouch) during week 5 of my 6 week hospitalization. I still battle recurring infections to this day, over four years later.
I grew deathly ill after I acquired several strains of bacteria while caring for my elderly father, who was sent home time and time again by his HMO with hospital-acquired infections, such as MRSA, VRE and C. Diff. Not once did his HMO inform me of how very infectious he was, nor did they ever offer any prevention suggestions, even though I had to clean and change his catheters, and give him "Push IV" antibiotics. Due to his HMO's neglect, I nearly lost my life. Dad passed away about a year later, his body could no longer withstand all the infections. RIP Dad.
Be sure to check out my NF site:
http://doreen.mkbmemorial.com/NF/
A short version of my story is published at The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation's site:
http://www.nnff.org/survivors/doreen_mulman/doreen_mulman.htm
I feel it is important to share what I have learned from my battle with infection because the CDC and most physicians have not provided the public enough facts about MRSA. Contrary to popular belief, the media has actually downplayed the seriousness of MRSA. Occasionally you hear about the deadly cases, but you rarely hear about survivors, like me, who have to live with the infection's after-effects.
MRSA can be treated, but it cannot be cured. I have had new outbreaks every few months since my NF ordeal over four years ago. MRSA can lay dormant for weeks, even months. Then one day you find a new wound that many people might mistake for a pimple or spiderbite, but it's MRSA. Whenever I get stressed out, I get a new flare up. I have been trying to avoid stress, but it seems to find me! My greatest hope is that through awareness, the spread of MRSA will cease and nobody else will have to go through this nightmare that has become my daily life. Please use the Internet to learn all you can about the prevention of MRSA and other infections.
My homepage is at:
http://doreen.mkbmemorial.com
