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Basically she knew what was going to happen, she just wants to know HOW she got the strep.

It’s horrible.

But it seems you guys only like seeing the “go figure” aspect of this, instead of noticing that this was an actual HUMAN BEING, who got dismembered of ALL her extremities, and will never be able to walk again, or embrace her children and loved ones ever again. This is something way beyond criminal, and my prayers go out to her and her family.

And I’m really sorry too, Scott, for what I’m about to say now: I love the entirety of Extra Life, and that’s why I have visited the site almost daily for many years now; and I confess it sometimes demands a hard stomach regarding some of the blog posts. But this is, without a doubt, the most cruel and insensitive post you have ever made. Posts of this nature are not at all why I look forward to the otherwise excellent site.

Please smarten up, Scott. I know you’re better than this.

Resistant organisms are a huge problem today in medicine, stemming (steming?) largely from the overuse of smaller, yet effective antibiotics for treatments when it’s not warranted. For example, you call your doctor because you have a mild cold or head congestion. He may call in a prescription for amoxicillin or penicillin for you to a local pharmacy. Both of these drugs were potent killlers in their heyday but, since they have been prescribed so commonly there are bacteria that have “gotten used to” them, i.e. becoming resistant.

That’s just what is happening outside of hospitals. Think of whats happening inside hospitals using the same concepts. Doctors are often forced to use “empiric” therapy, using antibiotics that are potent against many different organisms because they are unable to quickly identify the pathogen (bacteria involved) and use an agent that is more specific for that bacteria. They do this, suprise, so they cover themselves legally. What this in effect does is force more doctors to use the “big gun” antibiotics until something definite is determined about the infection, and thus exposes more bacteria to this antibiotic and increases the chance of resistance. Now think of bacteria strong enough to put you in the hospital in the first place becoming resistant.

Resistant cold/flu may not be that big of a problem since it’s usually our bodies that fight that off anyway. But can you imagine resistant meningitis (brain infection) or osteomyelitis (bone infection)? Scary. And hospitals do (or should) try to prevent this by eliminating “sources” by thorough cleaning and handwashing, as well as donning gowns/masks/gloves, but to completely eradicate all source is statistically impossible. They can only hope to eliminate it down to a point where it will easily controlled by our bodies natural defenses.

Toxic shock/resitant staph or strep is a terrible thing. It usually starts from a source wound and rapidly spreads, looking much like a rash. Here’s the basics of how it works. The bacteria get inside your body and infectinng the tissue in your skin, excreting toxins that kill the surrounding tissue. They spread a little further and repeat. Some even produce gas pockets in your flesh. I would much personally rather be bitten by a poisonous snake than be told i have this. And the weird thing is, the medical community has not found out fully why sometimes the infection spreads like this and why it doesnt sometimes.

And don’t get me started on HIPPA (the law preventing the hospital from releasing the information). It sounds like the hospital had some person on the same floor with a similar infection, and by releasing those records is a violation of that second person’s rights, for which the hospital can be sued. The easiest thing to happen for them is to be ordered by a judge to release the information. Why they would be putting a woman that has this type of infection on the ob floor is a mystery to me.

Kinda long-winded but I hope this helps.