It Never Was a Spider

Well, friends, I can hardly believe I am back again with a turn of events on the spider bite.

On Saturday when sitting in mass for John’s confirmation, I felt a sharp sting in my inner left thigh. I distinctly remember running my finger over it and seeing a tiny bump.

On Sunday while manning the trick or treat table with Mother, a familiar pain and burning sensation set in. I unbuttoned my chipmunk suit (things you never think you’ll write…) to see infection already spreading around the spot.

After an anxious night, I got in to see my doctor first thing Monday morning. The first thing she asked was “did you see the spider this time?” Once again, I did not. She stated with confidence that this is not and was not ever a spider. This is MRSA.

She said the immediate goal is treatment for this new infection and then long term mitigation protocols. One thing I love about her is that she doesn’t hesitate to send me to an expert when something is beyond her. She immediately referred me to an Infectious Disease Specialist but cautioned that it is taking 6 months to get in these days (thank you, covid.)

Monday afternoon I talked to the ID office and they took down my information, promising to call me at some date in the future.

Tuesday afternoon I had a call from an unknown number. One of the doctors in the ID practice had a last minute opening and could see me TODAY! WOW!

Honey and I spent the morning with the ID doctor. The immediate term care is oral antibiotics (back on the ones that make me vomit and feel like a vampire when I see sun). I’ve added zofran which helps with the stomach sensitivity. I’m on a routine of swabbing my nose with an antibiotic ointment to decolonize the staph and mrsa that already lives on the skin. I will be using moist heat to help it bubble to the surface. And I am supposed to wait…. something I am admittedly terrible at doing. At some point the boil will come to a head, at which point we hope it can be drained. If it is a week day, I head to the ID office. The drain it and refer me to a surgeon in the hospital if needed. If it is a weekend, I head straight to the ER again.

After this is over, I will work with the ID doctor on a regimen of antibacterial baths, the nose ointment and fairly easy things like that. Nobody has been able to answer why me, why again or why now. Both my GP and the ID said there is nothing wrong with me and I am healthy. I take comfort in that. I feel extremely nervous about what’s to come in the days ahead, knowing what happened this summer. I’ve shared photos of my wound from last time with a few friends and all were absolutely aghast at what I’d been through. It was hard, painful and scary to say the least.

A sweet friend sent me this to save on my phone. <3

The good news is that I don’t have an infestation of flesh eating spiders in my home. I also made it through John’s special weekend!

The bad news is that I seem to have an issue with colonizing MRSA infection.

I am thankful for having access to amazing doctors and specialists. I am grateful for Honey, my family and friends who have already stepped in to help in so many ways – carpools, prayers, texts, hunting down doctors and finding information.

I am, of course, also thankful for all of YOU! I try to keep Dixie Delights full of light and positivity and joy and happiness, but sometimes life does hand you lemons, doesn’t it?!

UPDATE: If you really, really want to read the full schedule of events and see the nasty photos, I have created a hidden page that you can access here. I have reached the end of the internet on MRSA photos and information. I was and primarily am interested in what things to visually look out for. I am ONLY sharing this for reference in the hopes that it can help someone down the road. MRSA can be deadly. CLICK WITH CAUTION

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31 thoughts on “It Never Was a Spider

  1. Amanda, prayers for you! Go ahead and look up CDC protocols on managing around the house to keep from spreading it. Each family member’s laundry is done separate from all others, clean towel after each shower/bath from here on, fresh bleach solution each day to disinfect surfaces, sheets and towels washed in hot water with bleach, bleach baths (this seriously helped to rid us of it) etc. We dealt with it twice when my kids were in middle school and brought it home from school then again when my mother-in-law picked it up during a hospital stay. I am so sorry! Lysol spray is also your new best friend. Be sure that you rest, eat very healthy, and take your vitamins too. Every little bit will help you fight it.

  2. You hang in there! Glad you have good specialists to sort this out. Now is the time for your family and friends to step up and help. You do so much for them. Let them help you! Take care of yourself. Sending good thoughts your way!

  3. Oh Amanda this is just crazy! This is something I don’t think we would ever think of without having been in the jungle or someplace else crazy in the first place. I’m so sorry that you’ve been through this and I hope and pray for peace each day as you wait for it to resolve and fully heal. Thank goodness for great doctors and care close to home. We know you like to share the good but you’ve built such a lovely community on here so please don’t hesitate to share what you need prayer wise or step away for a little bit if it’s too much.

  4. Oh girl! Bless your heart, I know this is so scary and painful. I’ll be praying for you and the medical staff caring for you. So thankful for our Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for every detail of our lives

  5. Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry you have to go through this yet again. And I’m amazed that this infection makes its appearance with a sudden “bite”. Just crazy!! Be strong and read that verse on your phone daily. Will keep you in my prayers.

  6. Amanda take care and be strong! You’re a tough lady and you will bounce back quickly we all know it! Sending Love and Prayers xo

  7. I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through this again! I had the same thing happen many years ago. It was a long and painful (and scary) journey. I remember it was so bad at one time I considered medical maggots (so disgusting).
    I followed doctors orders and I did what Nancy’s comment from above said and finally got a hold on it. My prayers are with you!

  8. Sweet friend! I am sorry you’re dealing with this again, but thankful you know out of the gate this time. 🖤 We will be praying.

  9. Sorry to hear you are dealing with this again…..but you are doing your readers a great service by educating them or hopefully they will look for valid info on MRSA. It’s out there and has always been out there in places we wouldn’t think of. I know people that have dealt with MRSA and never identify the source of infection. One not surprisingly was from a mat at the gym. And it does reappear so now you know to act immediately. If anyone in your household has a ‘rash’ you know to not ignore it. And all the readers show know by now. Hope it’s a much shorter ordeal this time.

  10. The prayer your friend sent is one I say often. I hope it gives you some comfort. Just cannot believe you are dealing with this again. Glad the doctors are on top of things and then you got in to see a specialist so quickly. Will be saying extra prayers for you speedy and full recovery.

  11. Hello and I am concerned. But, feeling a strong message you will heal properly. I am sure the Holy Spirit has heard every prayer for you, and I am sure HE will see you thru. Joshua 1:9—Be strong and of good courage.

  12. I know this will sound weird, but my son was a wrestler in school and contracted MRSA a few times. so he is a carrier. He now uses ARMBAR Soap. It is for UFC Fighters to kill the infections that you get off the mats. You might look that up. It does have a pretty potent smell to it. I will also say thought when my nephew was 2 (8 now) he got his leg amputated by a lawn mower and how his “nubby” that fits in his prosthetic get really smelly in the summer months and the Armbar soap keeps it from smelling so bad.

  13. Prayers are with you and your Doctors!! I hope all goes well. Please keep us informed!! I appreciate your honesty! Thank you!! Again, prayers!!!

  14. I’m so sorry you’re fighting this!! Your descriptions bring back awful memories of when my babies were little. We fought staph for quite a while, not sure why. I always assumed it was bc we had 4 babies/toddlers & they just kept passing it between them. My 11 month old got MRSA, and it was so scary! But she made it through with good care & you will too!! Prayers for healing & genius ideas to stay ahead of the game!❤️

  15. Oh, Amanda! So sorry to hear you are going through this! Hope your healing progresses more quickly this time around!

  16. So very sorry you are continuing to deal with this! Many thanks to you tho bcs I did have a spider bite and sought treatment after being so nervous of what could happen and I did need several courses of antibiotics. I pray this newest protocol is the answer to your complete healing!! 🙏🏼

  17. Oh my gosh, I am sorry to hear this but at least you know now what it is. I am a little surprised it was misdiagnosed as a spider bite. I remember my late step-father was a MRSA carrier and picked it up from a hospital stay. Praying for your healing.

  18. I’m so very sorry you’re dealing with this. Just want to offer some encouragement. When I was young, my sister and I had recurrent staph infections. It turned out that someone in our family was a carrier. It was a stressful time for sure but once our doctors figured out what was going on we were able to get rid of it fairly quickly. Our whole family put ointment in our noses daily and bathed with special antibacterial washes. We all used our own hand towels in the bathrooms and only used bath towels once. There may be other things I’m forgetting… All that to say, you will get rid of it! It’s great that your doctor was able to identify it quickly and that you have a plan. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, though. I will be praying for you.

  19. I’m sorry this has happened to you again. You were smart to act so quickly and notice the signs. If you aren’t already following the CDC’s guidelines on how to clean around the house, please look it up when you have time. As you know, MRSA can be so hard to eradicate and the cleaning method, may help others in the home not become infected. I’ll be thinking and praying for you to have a quick and uneventful course in your disease process. Take care!

  20. Oh my word. I am crying reading this. My heart goes out of you. You spread a lot of light in this world, and I am sure you will find a way to get through this darkness. You have a lot of people who will be supporting you and praying for you, including me.
    ~Kandace

  21. I’m so sorry you are going through this again. MRSA is such a difficult infection to treat which makes this so scary. You are in my prayers. If you are taking Vancomycin please follow your doctors orders concerning your lab levels. Normally your dr will require a trough level after every 3rd dose and will adjust your dosage accordingly. (Sorry – I’m an old ICU nurse and I just had to add a little advice. I know you have great doctors and resources who are taking great care of you).

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