I Beat the Odds and Survived ...

I am a survivor of NF (Necrotizing Fasciitis), known in the media as "flesh eating bacteria." By the time I entered the operating room, my temp was 106°, I was septic and my body was 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 I was in the ICU, I was given a 4% chance of survival. My best friends, Nora Salisbury and Dino Andrade, took turns holding my hand. I think they kept me tethered to this world. Or perhaps I had a guardian angel. I also refused to give up because I had my Dad to care for back at home.

Surgeons performed several operations to remove almost all of the skin from my arm, almost all of the fat and fascia, a lymph node and some muscle. I had an eight hour skin graft surgery during week five of my six week hospitalization. I still battle recurring infections to this day, almost five years later.

Luckily, no bone was lost, so I got to keep my arm. It's quite damaged and always will be, but I've adjusted to its limitations fairly well. I wish I could say the same for the pain, which I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I currently endure the pain 100% DRUG-FREE, because I fear I would certainly become addicted over time.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME?

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. His caseworker even implied that his infections were "normal for an elderly individual." (Not true!)

Not once did Dad's caseworker, doctors or nurses 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.

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 and other HAIs. 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.

My greatest hope is that through awareness, the spread of HAIs will cease, and nobody else will have to go through this nightmare that has become my daily life. Please use this website and others on the Internet to learn all you can about the prevention of MRSA and other hospital- and community-acquired infections!

Thank you for reading this. I wish you good health and a long & happy life!

Be sure to check out my NF website:
http://doreen.mkbmemorial.com/NF/