Are you a necrotizing fasciitis survivor? Then you can be a traveling billboard for the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation and support them financially, at the same time. I got my t-shirt last week and it fits just right. Order yours here.… Read the rest
Category: <span>Necrotizing Fasciitis</span>
So, The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation came up with this cool graphic. I like it – I see God as the Superpower behind my survival. But, he’s more than a power, He’s a person and we have seen His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
Anyway, why quibble? Maybe you don’t believe in God. But, those of us who have survived NF are just grateful to be alive and thankful for the caring, skilled hands of the physicians and caregivers who worked so hard to save us. We are also blessed by the support and prayers of family and friends — those other superheroes.… Read the rest
We had an assignment in my 2 dimensional design class to come up with a non-fiction book cover, which emphasizes the sub-title over everything else. The goal of the exercise was to experiment with visual hierarchy or placing emphasis on the most important elements in a commercial design. I haven’t given up on my goal to write a book-length account of my brawl with NF. This would not be the cover – for one thing, the image is not mine. And, I think I would have a different sub-title and put that second or third in the visual hierarchy. However, I like the title 72 Hours, connected to the image of a ticking clock.… Read the rest
Do you know of a school, church or other organization that may want to hear the harrowing story of how one man was blind-sided by the flesh-eating bacteria and lived to tell about it? I’ve shared our story a number of times, including an annual gig in science classes at our local middle school during “bacteria week.” More than once I was followed the next day by that gripping video drama, Killer Kitchens. Well, I do that sort of thing and, if I speak to your group, I promise to be clean shaven, appropriately dressed, and I’ll bring a version of the tale that is relevant and engaging.… Read the rest
… Read the restThere are many strains of bacteria that cause the flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are about 9,000 to 11,500 cases of group A streptococcus bacteria, one cause of necrotizing fasciitis, each year. Of them, only 6% to 7% are invasive. More commonly, the bacteria results in infections such as strep throat or a skin infection called impetigo.
The CDC says that about 25% of patients who have necrotizing fasciitis die. Canada has 90 to 200 cases per year, with a fatality rate of 20% to 30%, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
I just finished the redesign of our Overcoming Necrotizing Fasciitis website. It is now leaner, faster and easier to navigate. I’ve also added some new features and resources. Join the hundreds of thousands of visitors, who come to the site each year to find information, solutions and hope for those suffering from necrotizing fasciitis.… Read the rest
Newsday.com: Anesthesiologists Take Pride in Music: “Anesthesiologists Take Pride in Music
By LINDSEY TANNER
AP Medical Writer
October 2, 2005, 4:03 PM EDT
CHICAGO — General anesthesia or local? Hip-hop or Sinatra? These are among the decisions facing Dr. Frank Gentile in his double-duty job as anesthesiologist and self-styled DJ of the OR. He doesn’t use a microphone or speak in a fake baritone. But the eclectic range of CDs he loads onto the anesthesia cart headed for the operating room would impress any bona fide disc jockey. Gentile’s collection is between 50 and 100 CDs, and his iPod holds about 5,000 songs.… Read the rest
I’d like you to meet my new mates from Australia: Adrian the sound man and Malcolm the cameraman. They were sent to our home by Beyond International to film a vignette for the television program Medical Incredible on the Discovery Health Channel. Since my miraculous healing and recovery from necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh eating bacteria, I’ve been contacted a number of times by producers of similar programs, but our plans always fell through. So, I didn’t want to broadcast this adventure until it actually materialized.
It was so much fun. They shot me running over the hill to our house about five times, up and down our street a few times, and the entire length of Gethsemane St.… Read the rest