Comments for Marshall Jones' MRSA Story

Comment on Day 2, Wednesday by michelle weatherford

michelle weatherford — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:36:40 +0000

I found your story to be very interesting. My son ryan was hospitalized from may 8th, 2006 to june 6, 2006. This all started out with a scratch. I work in a nursing home and felt i was the cause of this. i got checked and i didnt have it. ryan accquried his out in the community. He went to the ER on may 7th because his knee was swollen and they said it was nothing and wrapped it in a ace bandage and told me to call his pediatrician in the morning. Well we got up that morning and i noticed ryan was runnin a little fever. His doctor took him in immediately and examined him. she sent him to EMMC in bangor, maine. We were rushed there by ambulance and in the 3/4 of an hour by trip by ambulance, his temp spiked to 105.6. They sent him up to the childrens unit and he rapidly decreased. They ran a bunch of test and everything came back negative. When his body started shutting down and he went into CHF (congetive heart failure) they shipped him to the pediatric intensive care unit. One of the PICU doctors had just read an article about MRSA and Factor 5 Leiden and thats how we found out what ryan had. Needless to say, he was on a total of 24 different antibiotics and loads of morphine. His blood was clotting to quickly due to being sick and this MRSA in his blood, so they put him on Lovenox in jections twice a day. Facotr 5 is a bloodclottin disease that is hereditary, which i found i passed on to him…never would have known. After 4 episodes of CHF he finally ws stabelized and they treated him with VANCOMYCIN. He was able to leave. he had to have 2 knee surgerys while there at EMMC too. The infection affected his growth plate in his leg. He came home with a picc line and had to have vancomycin at thome for 3 months and also had to have shots twice a day. He had the will to fight or else i dont think he would be with us today….im so grateful for the wonderful care he recieved. Just wanted to let you know my story…as for emily…deff dont sound like MRSA…more like herpes…lol

Comment on Day 2, Wednesday by Gary

Gary — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:17:53 +0000

Caitlin, I’m not sure where your information came from, but MRSA MOST DEFINITELY can be a chronic condition, especially if you’re a carrier who has also become infected. In retrospect, I now know that I have had MRSA for over 20 years and suffer from breakouts similar to Emily’s boyfriend because the bacteria is now in my system.

The boils I experience could never be confused with Herpes or Psoriasis. I have seen both and there are marked and extremely noticable difference between all three.

One issue that has recently come to light is that my MRSA tends to get “annoyed” and “aggravated” whenever I take common antibiotics for something else, such as a severe cold or bronchial virus, often resulting in numerous simultaneous outbreaks on my arms, armpits, and abdomen. A soon as the antibiotics are stopped, the MRSA seems to retreat.

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by Bonnie Getz

Bonnie Getz — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:32:56 +0000

I had surgery in March 2006 and was released from the hospital 3 weeks later. I was readmitted 4 days later with the dreadful MRSA. I had 3 more surgeries to clean the wound of MRSA. I am alive but have to walk with a brace on my leg for the rest of my life. I feel that my life has been shortened by 10 years due to this brace. I lose my balance all the time and one day I will not be able to catch myself. Now I may have problems with my neck and may have to have surgery again. Boy, that is very scary since it could hit me all over again. It is hard to trust doctors since my doctor released me from the hospital without informing me that I had MRSA. According to my medical records everyone in the hospital knew but me and my family. My husband had to take care of me for a year now what will happen next. We are starting a non profit organization to inform the public about MRSA. Our name is FIGHT STAPH INFECTIONS, INC. Ironically, the state filed our organization exactly 2 years to the date after my surgery, March 31, 2008. I feel that is a sign that our oganization will do good. If anyone wants to talk to me, please let me know.

Comment on Day 6, Sunday by REGINA

REGINA — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:20:33 +0000

I juat wanted to say that i am glad to have found this website, as my mother has just been diagnosed with MRSA in her blood as well. she got it from a surgical wound. It is nice to have something to reference to, as i know nothing about this type of sickness. thank you for sharing.

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by J Wintors

J Wintors — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:38:36 +0000

I am 33 years old, a healthy man that never had a broken bone, i recently back in January noticed my belly button was sticking out more than normal and i went to the
doctor and they said i have a hernia,

So i had a surgery to fix the problem, first real doctor visit i had and i was laid up for a couple of weeks not able to go to work.

and the end of februaury of 2008 i noticed a bump on my ankle it was not red at first
it kind of looked like a mosquito bite that was oblong in shape, it kind of itched and i think my boot was irritating it more and more a few days later it got bigger and redder
and i could not walk on it after standing for 8 hours or more on my shift at work.

by standing on it for a long period of time it acted like a sprain ankle and my whole ankle was getting swelled, i went to the emergency room after my wife looked at it

and the doctors of today said it was a “Spider Bite” in the winter time in iowa a brown recluse — i think they said–and i believed them because they are doctors

i stayed in the hospital on antibiotics for a couple of days and they took blood work and lanced the top layer of it off to get the puss out of it, i left the hospital and had to gauze it everyday with some antibiotic cream and by the end of march 2008 all that is left is a scab i thought i was done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nope

just recently 2weeks ago i get another bump on my stomach and it is like the one on my leg i thought i must have a nest of these fricken spiders in my house biting me while i sleep i got to my same doctor and said look at this spot on my stomach

he said it might be another spider bite i said i want a “CULTURE” DONE he kinda he hawed around and said fine we will do a culture and guess what the DOCTORS ARE WRONG it was MRSA all this time and now i am treating this boyle looking thing with an I.V. in my arm doing 2 bags of antibiotics a day for 2 weeks—i am 4 days into it and i am pssstttt—

THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON
THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO IF I KNOW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW

1. DON’T ALWAYS TRUST YOUR DOCTOR ASK QUESTIONS
2. DON’T RELY ON JUST BLOOD WORK ITS TELLING YOU ONLY IF IT REACHED YOUR BLOOD SYSTEM BUT MRSA CAN JUST BE ON YOUR SKIN
3. IMPORTANT GET A CULTURE DONE GUARANTEED DEMAND ONE
4. FIRST SIGN OF REDNESS GET TO THE HOSPITAL AND DEMAND A CULTURE
5. WASH HANDS AND BE A CLEAN FREAK EVERYDAY OF YOUR LIFE NOW THAT YOU GOT THIS
6. WHEN YOU THINK YOUR HEALED DEMAND 2 FORM OF CULTURES DONE A WOUND SWAB AND A NOSE SWAB—I THINK THIS MRSA CAN BE AIRBORN

I AM NOT TRYING TO SCARE ANYBODY BUT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT IF WE DON’T START DOING A STERILIZING PROTOCOL IN OUR HOSPITALS,NURSING HOMES, SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THIS COULD BE 5-10 YEARS FROM NOW THE FURTURE BUBONIC PLAGUE IF OUR ANTIBIOTICS CAN’T KILL THIS SUPERBUG—GIVE ME A CALL 641-583-1538

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by Muirne

Muirne — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:55:46 +0000

I just lost my husband to MRSA/Septicemia on March 7,2008. I am still trying very hard to come to terms with this but as Christine and Marshall state above, I have been extremely pleased with the care my husband received right up to the end. I wish I had been told of the very real possibility of Septicemia but my husband’s doctors worked numerous miracles bringing my husband back from the brink of death (literally) 3 times over the past 6 months. Unfortunately the 4th and last time was too much for my husband’s system. As the microbiologist above states - This is a super bug created by overuse of antibiotics - As such I don’t believe in causing panic but I do believe in openess and a willingness for the non-medical & medical communities to work TOGETHER on this issue. If consumers did not clammor for the antibiotics, drug companies would not make them and doctors would not prescribe them… As you can see blame can get very nasty. I do not believe in pointing fingers because it gets us no where.I just do not want other families to go what I am going through now…I still expect my husband to walk back in the door any minute….

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by Mary Treadway

Mary Treadway — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:41:43 +0000

Hi, I was researching the dreaded MRSA. My sister who is in her 40’s although overweight had gallbladder surgery in 2003. Surgery went well but went home with a open wound and drain. Home health came and gee she had a roaring fever and was hospitalized. There was so much swelling that her feet and legs looked like they were not really hers. Anti-biotics were given and she was really sick. Sent home with a suction machine the sponge was placed in the open wound and the machine sucked out the infection. This was also with home health who sent a nurse twice a day to do anti-biotic IV therapy. My sisters health has declined with several hospital stays and anti-biotics. Needless to say she has had to have cathaters, more IVs and it has been a nightmare. Last August she had become so ill she was going to the ER several times finally her friend took her to another hospital in a near by town. We recieved a call that she was on a ventilator having kidney failure and unresponsive. We were told upon arrival at the hospital that she had a infection most likely from a cathater in the past. My sister became responsive was so swollen and was put on dialysis. Weaned from the vent and her kidneys started working again. Presently she is living in a nursing home and cannot take care of herself. This is heartbreaking and she has really suffered. Finally someone told her she has MRSA after all of this time since 2003. All antibiotics have been used she has cellulitis to the point her side has a huge bulging area, her feet and legs are red and swollen that she has to wear mens large houseshoes and is in a wheel chair when she is able to get up. As of this past month she has been hospitalized again for six days, back to the ER for a pic line so more anti-biotics can go into her body. Yesterday when we talked by phone she told me she is now wearing a morphine patch and is also on loritab and anti-inflamatory for the pain and neurotin for her legs. My sister has rededicated her life to God and although her spirit is upbeat my feelings are that she is close to the end of the fight with MRSA. I and my family are greatful for this wonderful nursing home that is so compasionate and understanding of her needs. My opinion this MRSA was from the gallbladder surgery. Where it came from now is not the issue for her it is the road in which it has taken her down and the suffering which MRSA has inflicted upon her. I would welcome anyone to contact me and your input. My sister was crowned Valentine Queen at the nursing home this past Feb. 14th 2008 she is truly an inspiration to others.
Thank you,
Mary Treadway
mrstread@insightbb.com

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by michelle

michelle — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:19:27 +0000

i have night sweats from time to time, that i wake up all wet,
and when i say wet
wet, my hair my clothes, my sheets my blanket
(drench)

i had mrsa, 3 years ago, i still have it
but its on my skin.

does anyone have sweats at night , since treatment
they are drenched

my thinking ,

the sweats fight the mrsa, from taking over my body

love to hear from others

Comment on Marshall Jones’ Story - Introduction by mary pelton

mary pelton — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:36:14 +0000

i also got MRSA, back in december 2006 i went into the hospital with a big infected sore on my lower back, they drained it that nite, and told my daughter if not drained i would have died, 2 days later i had to have it cut opened again they cut down to the spine with out hitting it to drain it. tests showed MRSA. healing took along time just when i started feeling better it came back on left side of my leg, that was treated with antibiotics. i was still weak, then in november 2007 i got an infection in my left hip above my buttocks surgery again, or i could have died, because of this i have lost everything. please get tested, have your nose swabed, it can make you sick quick. they thought mine started as a spider bite. and it was idile in my body, i still have it and antibiotics are only thing keeping me going. God Bless all who read this.

Comment on Day 28 - Monday by Lisa Wendt

Lisa Wendt — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:32:50 +0000

I was moved by ur story!!!! i read the whole thing from this day forward!!! Day 28!!!! How much more due u have 2 endure!!