HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TOO!

It's been three months since any MRSA requiring antibiotics in our home, and about 10 months since I've needed any! May 23rd I ended up spending my 34th birthday in the ER. I knew I had to go...I really wish I would have taken pictures, but it was so disturbing to see my face that way I couldn't do it. On Wednesday night (the 21st of May) I noticed a small blemish on my chin and went to bed. I was watching TV for a couple hours and realized it was starting to feel weird...and I knew that feeling.

I got out of bed and washed, cleansed and medicated the area. I got up again that night and repeating the same thing. By morning it had really swollen. The next day I continued the wash, cleanse, medicate. Friday morning I woke up to find my lip swollen about 3x it's normal size. I looked nothing like myself and my chin was swollen half way to my ear. I knew I had to make a trip to the ER since the oral meds don't work for me until I get some Vanq in me.

I waited until my husband was home from work (he came home early) and headed to the ER...thinking I was only going to get an IV of antibiotics. They ended up having to cut it open and pack it in addition to the IV Vanq. Sent me home to return Sunday morning (the 25th...our 12th wedding anniversary). In the meantime it really wasn't draining. I felt they had packed it too tightly and was right. On Sunday morning they removed the packing and drained it. I was sent home on Bactrim and Clindamycin. By Sunday night it had drained completely, but there was about an inch circle around the area that was really hard, like scar tissue. I massaged the area for a few days and it has now returned to normal.

Since this breakout, our entire family has washed with Hibiclens every night for a week. Now we are back to twice a week. This really seems to help. We will continue pressing on, knowing that perseverance leads to proven character. (Romans 5)