YOU KNOW THE ROUTINE
OPEN THREADSSounds like Julie and Roy are hangin' in there, despite "circumstances". Surprising that the MRSA did not come from the surgery. However, I'm not that surprised. You see, many of us carry this bug on us at all times, and never become sick. I could be a 'carrier' all my life, inadvertantly spread this and never know it. The sad part? If the medical community implemented testing at the time of admittance, many could be saved. What test? A simple skin swab, costing a few measley dollars!
Julie said:
His creatin levels keep raising and they are currently at 7.4. His CPK's (a heart enzyme) are 39,728.
He's responding well to dialysis. but we're nowhere near where we need to be.
His liver enzymes are also raising. This isn't good.
I wish I had better news today. Please keep your prayers up. It's gonna take a miracle - but I'm still optimistic.
He's responding well to dialysis. but we're nowhere near where we need to be.
His liver enzymes are also raising. This isn't good.
I wish I had better news today. Please keep your prayers up. It's gonna take a miracle - but I'm still optimistic.
lindainks55 said:
I had wondered about that, Tracy. I knew we all have staff and I knew the "S" in the four letters was staff and I knew the super bug was a really strong drug resistant form, but hadn't hooked all that together to realize the simplicity of what you stated. Ya know everyone who has been careful about antibiotics -- taken them rarely and only when necessary, made sure to finish the prescription, etc. are still in danger of this crazy super bug. Those doctors who over prescribed, those patients who demanded antibiotics whether they were indicated or not and allowed this bug to be so strong have endangered us all. And although we've all got staff on our skin we don't know when or what might cause a breakdown in that normally healthy relationship between the germs and the skin. Scary stuff, huh!? I vote we all stay away from medical places if at all possible!
lindainks55 said:
Vaughn, if it's possible could we know how Mrs. Tolle is, what the doctor had to say?
Tracy Phillips said:
Julie, I been meaning to ask if Dr. Fransico is the kidney specialist?
My wife sees her for one of her conditions.
Nothing but good reports about this doctor.
My wife sees her for one of her conditions.
Nothing but good reports about this doctor.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Linda, I'll let you know when my wife gives me permission (on what the doctor had to say). Generally, she's doing well. Sorry I can't be any more specific right now, but I promise once I'm given permission, I'll let all know.
lindainks55 said:
Vaughn, your answer was perfect! I didn't mean to be nosy, but you already knew that I hope.
Vaughn Tolle said:
On MSRA; it has been my impression that there had been the testing Tracy mentions implemented in the local medical facilities, after the surge in infections lately. I may be wrong on this, but that's what I recall reading.
We all carry the staph bacterium in one form or another. That's a given. The issue is, of course, of the staph bacteria we all carry, how many/any represents the antibiotic resistant strain(s). Linda points out one of the many reasons, and perhaps the major reason, that the resistant form is prevalent these days.
I recall reading an article on this issue involving VA hospitals a year or so ago. What the study on which the article was based determined was that by simply practicing good housekeeping in the VA hospitals, the incidence decreased dramatically. Simple stuff, like wiping down all surfaces with a chlorine bleach/water mixture. Wish I recalled more of what the article contained.
Julie, we're all pulling for you and your good husband.
We all carry the staph bacterium in one form or another. That's a given. The issue is, of course, of the staph bacteria we all carry, how many/any represents the antibiotic resistant strain(s). Linda points out one of the many reasons, and perhaps the major reason, that the resistant form is prevalent these days.
I recall reading an article on this issue involving VA hospitals a year or so ago. What the study on which the article was based determined was that by simply practicing good housekeeping in the VA hospitals, the incidence decreased dramatically. Simple stuff, like wiping down all surfaces with a chlorine bleach/water mixture. Wish I recalled more of what the article contained.
Julie, we're all pulling for you and your good husband.
lindainks55 said:
Last Sunday evening's "60 Minutes" did what I considered a poor job of reporting about MRSA. Most of their report centered around a small town's football team. It showed players with confirmed MRSA playing IF the infected place was covered (light covering of gauze shown!). And they interviewed "experts" who said the scrubbing and disinfecting didn't help. It was all-in-all a pretty shallow job of reporting and unless you'd been living with no news I don't think it gave any new info.
There was a tiny article in our local newspaper yesterday that said, "the aggressive antibiotic-resistant staph infection responsible for thousands of recent illnesses undermines the body's defenses by causing germ-fighting cells to explode..." It was a tiny mention of a newly released results of a study done that may lead to better treatments. I had planned to do a "google" and try to learn more about this study -- just forgot until today. I'm off to trot around the neighborhood with the dog now but will try to work that in later.
There was a tiny article in our local newspaper yesterday that said, "the aggressive antibiotic-resistant staph infection responsible for thousands of recent illnesses undermines the body's defenses by causing germ-fighting cells to explode..." It was a tiny mention of a newly released results of a study done that may lead to better treatments. I had planned to do a "google" and try to learn more about this study -- just forgot until today. I'm off to trot around the neighborhood with the dog now but will try to work that in later.
Wendy said:
Julie,
Seems like it is a see-saw right now. Hopefully you will begin to see a marked improvement in the next few days and can feel confident that he is turning a corner. Sorry I have been out of contract, I had a retreat I was "required" to attend in order to get married this weekend, and I was locked up for the entire weekend, to add to that I have a nasty cold that I think is trying it's hardest to become bronchitis... But if you need anything that doesn't require direct contact (because I wouldn't want to pass this on to you guys with everything else that you are dealing with) Let me know and I will be happy to help out...
Seems like it is a see-saw right now. Hopefully you will begin to see a marked improvement in the next few days and can feel confident that he is turning a corner. Sorry I have been out of contract, I had a retreat I was "required" to attend in order to get married this weekend, and I was locked up for the entire weekend, to add to that I have a nasty cold that I think is trying it's hardest to become bronchitis... But if you need anything that doesn't require direct contact (because I wouldn't want to pass this on to you guys with everything else that you are dealing with) Let me know and I will be happy to help out...
Julie said:
Roy is having a lung scope done now. They are going in thru his respirator tube and looking around and going to suck up the bad stuff they can find.
They have consulted a cardiologist who will perform a sonogram of his heart. There is a possibility that the staph has gotten into the heart valves. If that's the case then he'll never get rid of this infection.
He's maintaining vitals right now. His blood pressure is good.
We still don't know how he got this MRSA staph.
We need so much prayer right now. It truly is in God's hands. He can do this miracle. I really just need to trust in that.
They have consulted a cardiologist who will perform a sonogram of his heart. There is a possibility that the staph has gotten into the heart valves. If that's the case then he'll never get rid of this infection.
He's maintaining vitals right now. His blood pressure is good.
We still don't know how he got this MRSA staph.
We need so much prayer right now. It truly is in God's hands. He can do this miracle. I really just need to trust in that.
Tracy Phillips said:
VeeTee, I beg to differ on the effectiveness of the cleaning in this case. Of course, clean is essential.
But.....you can clean all day with chlorine, and the minute you are done, I enter the room as a carrier, shake hands with the Doc, lean over and kiss the patient, well, ya' know.
The surfaces being cleaned will not sustain live MRSA strains long enough to be dangerous.
In the same way that you do not get AIDS from the toilet seat.
They may have already implemented testing.
I know it is cheap and easy.
But.....you can clean all day with chlorine, and the minute you are done, I enter the room as a carrier, shake hands with the Doc, lean over and kiss the patient, well, ya' know.
The surfaces being cleaned will not sustain live MRSA strains long enough to be dangerous.
In the same way that you do not get AIDS from the toilet seat.
They may have already implemented testing.
I know it is cheap and easy.
Tracy Phillips said:
Julie, we are still here with you.
I don't know what else to say.
Except we understand and care.
I don't know what else to say.
Except we understand and care.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Tracy, agreed. The testing is critical, IMHO.
One thing I omitted from my discussion of the VA study. The act of cleaning resulted in a reduction of the MRSA strains, as by eliminating the more common strains of staph, with the MRSA being a minority of the same, it served to remove the more common method of transmission of the MRSA strains.
Yes, you, as a carrier, may be the source of a localized infection; no question. It's my understanding, though, the issue of MRSA and its surge in infection, has more to do with its general presence in the environment than by its being locally transmitted between individuals. I'll try to find something about the VA study and post a link, as I am operating solely from memory, which grows more unreliable daily.
One thing I omitted from my discussion of the VA study. The act of cleaning resulted in a reduction of the MRSA strains, as by eliminating the more common strains of staph, with the MRSA being a minority of the same, it served to remove the more common method of transmission of the MRSA strains.
Yes, you, as a carrier, may be the source of a localized infection; no question. It's my understanding, though, the issue of MRSA and its surge in infection, has more to do with its general presence in the environment than by its being locally transmitted between individuals. I'll try to find something about the VA study and post a link, as I am operating solely from memory, which grows more unreliable daily.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Tracy, the linked piece indicates that MRSA can survive on hard surfaces and in fabrics for up to 90 days. Again, not discounting the "carrier" scenario at all for a localized infection, but this would indicate that the environment is particularly important. I note that the piece is directed more to educators, but there are important data of general application contained in the notes.
http://www.mrsanotes.com/
http://www.mrsanotes.com/
Vaughn Tolle said:
Another thing I wonder; with all the "antibacterial" soaps and cleaning solutions we all use, are we also contributing to MRSA or other resistant bacteria? Seems to me this is also a real probability.
The use of chlorine (a poison, in higher concentrations) can knock out a variety of life forms without contributing to resistance, as I recall my high school chemistry. Other halogen gases would also do this, fluorine, etc., but these are so very toxic in dilute concentrations that there are major safety concerns even in considering their use. There was a reason in chemistry that experiments with the halogens were conducted under the hood.
The use of chlorine (a poison, in higher concentrations) can knock out a variety of life forms without contributing to resistance, as I recall my high school chemistry. Other halogen gases would also do this, fluorine, etc., but these are so very toxic in dilute concentrations that there are major safety concerns even in considering their use. There was a reason in chemistry that experiments with the halogens were conducted under the hood.
Tracy Phillips said:
I sit corrected.
I knew it would survive for periods on some organic materials, like cotton clothes.
So, having taken care of my father, I am problee a carrier.
I soooo hate those straight chlorine baths.
I'll do the next best thing. Stay out of medical buildings and never get a cut or scrape.
This is scary stuff. No doubt.
I'm not going to joke too much about it.
I knew it would survive for periods on some organic materials, like cotton clothes.
So, having taken care of my father, I am problee a carrier.
I soooo hate those straight chlorine baths.
I'll do the next best thing. Stay out of medical buildings and never get a cut or scrape.
This is scary stuff. No doubt.
I'm not going to joke too much about it.
lindainks55 said:
Here's an article about the work of Dr. Michael Otto of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. I can't get the actual publication Nature without a subscription (or a password from Chad who I learned is in NYC today), but it does sound like some promising work that will lead to better treatments is coming to fruition.
http://tinyurl.com/24yypo
Julie,
I don't have any words. Tracy said it all when he let you know we're here, we care, we're pulling for MM. As always we very much appreciate your thoughtfulness in keeping us updated.
http://tinyurl.com/24yypo
Julie,
I don't have any words. Tracy said it all when he let you know we're here, we care, we're pulling for MM. As always we very much appreciate your thoughtfulness in keeping us updated.
Danny said:
Another thing I wonder; with all the "antibacterial" soaps and cleaning solutions we all use, are we also contributing to MRSA or other resistant bacteria? Seems to me this is also a real probability. -- By Vaughn
The short answer to this is yes. By using anti-bacterial soaps, research shows that the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Several people in my family tell me this and to just use plain jane regular soap to wash hands with, take baths with, etc. From what I've read online it seems fairly reasonable to not use anti-bacterial soaps.
The short answer to this is yes. By using anti-bacterial soaps, research shows that the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Several people in my family tell me this and to just use plain jane regular soap to wash hands with, take baths with, etc. From what I've read online it seems fairly reasonable to not use anti-bacterial soaps.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Danny, it has been my understanding that use of "plain jane regular soap" is the best thing, regardless. I'm given to understand that use of same takes care of most bacteria, etc., without the need for "antibacterial" soap. I'm also given to understand that soap, in and of itself, is "antibacterial" to some degree.
I think the key is to use the soap to wash hands, take baths, showers, etc., for a sufficient amount of time for it to do some good, I also think that when washing clothes, etc., there is needed water of sufficient temperature that it, along with detergent, acts to get rid of not only the dirt and soil, but also the various "bugs".
Just call me "Hints from Vaughnoise"!
I think the key is to use the soap to wash hands, take baths, showers, etc., for a sufficient amount of time for it to do some good, I also think that when washing clothes, etc., there is needed water of sufficient temperature that it, along with detergent, acts to get rid of not only the dirt and soil, but also the various "bugs".
Just call me "Hints from Vaughnoise"!
Vaughn Tolle said:
A couple of other "hints":
Want to increase the efficiency of the laundry detergent, and don't have a water softener? Add 1/2 cup baking soda at the time the detergent is added.
Worried about potential pollution issues from the use of fabric softener in the rinse? Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the rinse (1/2 cup if hanging clothes out on the line). Acts to remove detergent residue from the fabric, thereby "softening" the fabric.
I do both when doing my laundry. No vinegar smell, and there are more "suds" after the baking soda is added.
Also, need to clean the toilet bowl and out of bowl cleaner/chlorine bleach? White vinegar works here, too. Just pour some in, swish around, and there is a clean bowl once a flushing happens.
Want to increase the efficiency of the laundry detergent, and don't have a water softener? Add 1/2 cup baking soda at the time the detergent is added.
Worried about potential pollution issues from the use of fabric softener in the rinse? Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the rinse (1/2 cup if hanging clothes out on the line). Acts to remove detergent residue from the fabric, thereby "softening" the fabric.
I do both when doing my laundry. No vinegar smell, and there are more "suds" after the baking soda is added.
Also, need to clean the toilet bowl and out of bowl cleaner/chlorine bleach? White vinegar works here, too. Just pour some in, swish around, and there is a clean bowl once a flushing happens.
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