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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