This is a quick update. As you probably know, I've been in the hospital for a few weeks. After having problems with my PICC line, I went to the hospital due to a fever and throbbing/aching arm. A couple days later, after an MRI of my arm, I was rushed into emergency surgery. I woke up in the ICU to be told I had Necrotizing Fasciitis, which is a life threatening condition where the layer of tissue under my skin was dead or dying from my forearm to my chest area and had to be removed. This was caused by a fast moving flesh eating bacterial infection. They had to remove about half of the tissue in my arm/armpit/breast, but were ultimately able to save my arm (and life) for which I am thankful. I was told that I would be due for at least half a dozen or more surgeries, but thankfully, within only three surgeries the doctors were able to remove all of the infection and close up my arm. They were surprised by how abnormally and extraordinarily fast the healing in my arm was. I know that I was blessed with so many people who prayed for me and for my healing during this time. I want to truly thank everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement during this very difficult time for our family.
PS: My surgeon just came in beaming to see
me doing so well, and then proceeded to confess how worried he was
and just how lucky (saying lucky three times) I am to be sitting here
today, with a mortality rate of 30-50% with this disease and much
higher with cases like mine that spread past the arm. I think of poor
Jon who anxiously awaited in the waiting room during my first
surgery...to have the doctor come out with heavy eyes, sit down and
shake his head slowly to say “...we just don't know.”
I truly praise God for all his
blessings, big and small, throughout this terrifying ordeal.
