I get the crust, they get the sandwich.

LOL, that is how our dinners go nowadays. I don't know how I did it pre-infection. I seriously cannot get half the kids clean, half the house clean, or half my to-do list done by midnight. Then I wake up before 7am & try again, to no avail. I know having a clean house is not the most important thing in my life, but it is so relaxing to sit in a clean room & just relax. Just to sit down & get on the computer for 15mins would get so much done in terms of my to-do list, but in the mean time I have kids scattering paint throughout the house, or all over themselves. Don't even get me started!

Honestly, I think the worst thing I have ended up with (cuz I could care less about an ugly scar, really!) is my lack of brain function! I cannot multi-task anymore for the life of me. I guess when Casey became the Mom, I became the Dad? Now he gets to go back to work with life-changing skills & I am left a useless heap. *Please read: I am NOT trying to be down on myself (nor am I calling my husband useless), I have HAD to be pretty self-focused, but I want my Supermommy cape back!

Did I mention I completed my Hyperbaric treatments today? YEAH!! I only had to do 24 treatments, or 42hrs & 24mins, or 2544 minutes, or 152640 seconds, not that I was counting. (LOL, or that my math is right!?!) Yes, I am a free woman, no more early morning rush-hour traffic, babysitters, or watching movies in a tank full of oxygen. Ok, I did sleep some of the time. It was cool, it helped me heal, & now may I live forever! Haha, joking (unless I turn into a hot vampire, also kidding again. )

Okay, okay, I found a super-awesome blog just now, I cannot wait to start reading all about it, when I take my next break & all. =)
..,To Love, Honor, and Vacuum

I'm antibiotic-free!

I'm still getting it all out of my system, but this is the 1st day in 7wks, that I haven't HAD to take anything? I am feeling pretty okay. My ID Dr. thinks that all the bacteria is gone & my wound is pretty much healed on the outside. I still have a little area that needs to close completely, but it certainly looks much better. There is still a slight chance that I could get sick again, but nothing to worry about.

Did I mention I was allergic to the last (newest) antibiotic I was on? Yea, now I am allergic to 7 meds. Three of them treat MRSA, so that could really limit the amount of meds that could work for me if I get a repeat infection, but also two other antibiotics for other infections, & then two pain meds. Those are just my allergies, not my sensitivities, geez. To think I used to love hospitals, & now I would be happy to not go back, ever. Okay, I lie, I would LOVE one more kiddo, but I definitely have a lot more patience there.

I have about 6 more Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) treatments, then an appt. with my surgeon in 2wks, & God-willing I will be free! I am so grateful that I am alive & doing so well. There are so many others that don't get better, but I did. Thank God!

I am also feeling pretty good pain-wise, just uncomfortable sometimes. It is gonna take about 18mths to heal all through & through, but it IS healing. I am working on getting my energy back, but I can't seem to find it, yet. I think the kids have it. I can't keep up!

I am hoping to have some new pics soon, my camera is definitely being neglected. =)

Things are definitely looking up.

Could it be b/c I am looking up? Well, technically down...on my knees that is. It's not just me, I am so thankful for all my prayer warriors out there. I just want everyone to know that I am immensely blessed by each one of you.

As of today, I only have a couple more days & I can get my IV out. Oh did I mention I am infection-free? Yep, so says my last cultures. I am officially off the meds that have made me so nauseous & sick lately, & the new one so far hasn't done any damage to my appetite. Yes, I can eat! I love it! I missed it!

I have an appt. with my surgeon tomorrow, but I know it is gonna be a good one. I am probably looking at 16 more O2 treatments, but that's what I get for being a big-time movie watcher, lots of boring time to watch movies.

Guess, I can go back to being a lazy blogger, nah! Well, maybe. I sure hope I don't have anything interesting to report, not anything scary or dire anyways. I do have a testimony I have been working on though, that God has been working on. I cannot wait to share!

Another Fri. (2wks post-hospital)

Yesterday was my worst day in a little while, & I am praying that it is never repeated. I "think" I may actually keep something down today. Still waiting for my cultures to come back on Monday, so maybe I can get off these meds. Also, I am doing some research on Betadine/Iodine sensitivity or chemical burns, which is my newest theory regarding my newest ailment. I stopped using the Betadine, just in case, so my nurse gave me the Dakins recipe (bleach/water) to try. They used this in the hospital the most, so I know I can handle it, plus I only have to put it where my wound is open.

I am just very very nauseous, tired, & missing my kiddos. Hyperbaric O2 therapy is going well. I get so bored being in there & it is such a pain to go downtown each day for 2hrs. When I get home I am pooped & want to sleep all day. I'm sure you can guess where the puns are intended. :P All in all, I am surviving & sorta healing. The wound is healing on the outside more than the inside, but it's just gonna take some more time & a lot more patience. I could use some prayers for all these side effects of the medicine for sure. I will definitely update when I get results on Monday, or Tues. after my Dr. appt at the latest.


So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded, YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV

I'm stitch-less!

Too bad, I am not completely itch-less, but oh well!

The swelling was worse this morning & definitely red, so before heading to the ER I called my Drs. My ID doc sent me for a stat CT scan, & my surgeon wanted to see me in his office. The last CT scan I had was the day I went to the ER & had my 1st surgery. As fas as the orignal infection goes, the CT scan showed that the site was remarkably better. They didn't say anything about anything new. I will have to take it a bit easier for a little while, b/c my surgeon took out my stitches & took a few deep swabs to send in for cultures. So, I just wait & watch. The test results should be in by Mon. & my hyperbaric treatment begin tomorrow. Any new swelling, a fever, or anything of concern & I will go straight to the ER.

Thanks for the extra lifting up! <><

Edited to add: My surgeon says it is normal for a wound site as serious as mine to take some time to heal, & take steps back sometimes. So that is reassuring. Also, I do have to pack my wound a little (w/gauze & betadine) since it is slighty open, but I have all confidence in my healing.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Not so great, not too bad (Appt. update)

Last night, I noticed some swelling near/around some of my stitches, but no fever, redness, or anything to cause panic. I saw my Infectious Disease Dr. today at my weekly appt. & he thinks there might be a secondary infection, even though the rest of the stitches look very good. I am now on 2 more antibiotics, but these are in pill form. He thinks that broader coverage, as far as meds go, will be beneficial, seeing as they don't know for sure what is going on. Both meds are appetite suppresants which given my intake lately, are not too good for me. Most people report a metallic taste from one of the meds & nausea w/ both, surely not fun. Ahh the wonders of modern medicine, I must feel worse to get better.

So far the hot flashes are back, along w/ a little nausea, but no allergic reactions, which I have to be careful of b/c my med allergy count is at 6. I am keeping a close eye on the area & also taking my temperature. Still no cause for alarm, or an ER trip, but I think I have everything in order just in case. So please say a prayer for some newer quicker healing, very little side effects, & everything else you can muster.

I do feel like I have been rocked a little by all this new stuff going on, but my faith is strong & I am very optimistic. I joke & say I am in the "humor stage" of grief. Nothing like a little laughter to lighten the situation. =)

Love, T

Sometimes they sugarcoat it...

Sometimes they just have to tell you like it is. It's scary, I am not "out of the woods." The woods may come back at any time & kill me. It's just not something I wanted to hear. I have been knocked to my knees often these last couple days. I know the Lord won't give me more than I can handle, but I find myself crying out "Please Lord, no more!"

My surgeon was not as pleasant as I was hoping for yesterday. I know he has a less-than-perfect bedside manner, but I have been told 20x over, that he is the best. He has had so much experience with these kind of wounds/infections. The face that 50% of his patients with necrotizing faciitis do not survive, has rocked me. If they (all of my Drs) are not aggressive enough, I may die. Usually it is the reoccurence of the infection that leaves them w/out any options, or hope. I have hope, lots of it, but I think I have put more trust in the Drs, than the Great Physician. I can honestly say, I am scared & I am leaning on Him more now than ever.

I want to see my kids grow up, see them all accept Jesus, grow old w/ my husband, love my family & my Jesus till the end of my days. I just don't want for those days to come so soon. Sorry for such a somber message, I don't like to make people cry, but I wanted to share a little bit of the grief that finds me a little depressed today. The fact that I am in bed, away from the girls, on only ibuprofen, just adds to it.

Don't worry, I'm not defeated, just a little distressed. Satan has been at my door, but I am not letting him in, not ever. Please don't think I am giving up or giving in, I am holding on to my hope, my faith, I will be healed. I am just learning an all new level of patience. Praise the Lord!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV

If you want to read more about MRSA or NF, here is a good link to articles, including the one linked above. Here is an article talking about how common MRSA infections are & how rare it is that it turns into NF.