I found out yesterday that my youngest daughter's husband, who is 50 and has severe diabetes, kidney failure and charcot foot, now has MRSA in his ulcerated foot. They live in a very small town, two hours across the Badlands from a hospital, in the middle of the plains. My daughter is a nurse, but that is little consolation when fighting a bug like that. They have two dogs which add to the problem. Well, I am upset and thinking about going to help her clean with clorox. What a job she has caring for an invalid husband and working, too. So, things don't necessarily get easier as your children grow up. Moving is not an option for her right now, as her insurance would not move with her. :( He was just now approved for disability, but Medicare doesn't kick in for over two years from now. By the way, it took letters to US Senators to get his case approved!

JOAN

Joan, I'm so sorry to hear things have progressed to this state. A mothers work is never done!! :( Is there no way to get help to her without going there yourself? Could his doctor order home health or hospital related cleaning service to come in to do the work? It just sounds overwhelming for you to make a trip there and work your buns off. :wub: (grh)

Oh, Joan...I am so sorry. Do they have good insurance coverage? Will it cover special at home care? Trying to prevent spread of MRSA must be a very daunting job...your daughter being a nurse is helpful in that she knows how to be cautious...this is a very terrible bug.

I get very upset when I see people who need disability being turned down...and I know you have to be disabled 2 yrs. to get Medicare. And it is not enough...

My mother had diabetes so I realize the dangers and the longer you are on insulin the more problems...being in a small town really hinders his care as there are special clinics which treat wound that don't heal but they are usually in larger cities. Please think carefully before you expose yourself to this...I know you are wanting to be of help to your daughter but you could catch this yourself...

I am so sorry. Your daughter really needs some help but I don't think you should volunteer. There must be another way to help her cope like Marti & Jo mentioned.

Terrible that they denied him disability - good that they fought it & enlisted some help. Who the heck do they give disability to??!!! :angry: It's the same in Canada - very frustrating & stressful for people who need it desperately & the insurers just take their sweet time. Penny went through a huge deal with it.

:wub: Gwen

Thanks, all. :wub: I know you are right about my helping. Bob and I discussed it all, and we may just go and help supervise.... staying in a motel. My daughter is soooo alone.

(grh) JOAN

Joan, there are products available at the pharmacy to help fight MRSA...I saw some last night at Rite Aid. You and Bob could have this with you and treat any little scratch...that is something we may all need to start thinking about.

I am so sorry this has happened... (grh)

Hi Joan...your daughter could probably use a lot of hugs from her Mom. I don't blame you for wanting to be there to support her - I would do the same. Just take good care of yourselves, please.

On a much lighter side, I woke up this morning at my usual 0630 (I sleep in on the weekends :rolleyes: ) & had a horrible feeling that Jake was driving with expired insurance on his car. I went immediately to have a look at the papers & it had expired 2 days ago. I called him - really hoping he had arrived at work so I could stop worrying & he had. :) I picked him up & we renewed his insurance. He owes me HUGE. :lol:

:wub: Gwen

Oh Joan I am sooo sorry to hear about the MRSA. I had a friend who picked it up in her leg while she was at the hospital having her baby! She said she would never step foot back in the hospital unless she was dying. It is very painful she says. I hope you take all precautions and are extrememly careful!! I will keep y'all in my prayers!!

(grh)

Gwen, isn't it amazing how we seem to have ESP when it is appropriate?

Thanks for your caring.. {htd} JOAN

Shelley, You have enough caring for all.... ^A^ when you need it the MOST. Thanks.

Good luck with Christi... You are a good friend for her.

JOAN

Joan, I am so sorry about your son-in-law. Your daughter is under a tremendous amount of stress right now. It probably would be good to visit them just for the support. Take precautions and be careful. Lots of hugs. (grh)

Gwen that was a close call! It is so hard to remember everything...just too much going on.

Joan I hope your son-in-law starts to improve soon...this is so difficult for anyone but a diabetic has so much stacked against them already. (grh)

Shelley you are a good friend to Christi. (grh)

Oh Joan! This is a scary situation for all of you. If you do go to help how careful do you need to be? Do you need direct contact with the infection or something that has been touched and contaminated? I don't know that much about it. How long does it usually take to recover from this? I will be thinking about you and your daughter's family.
Maureen

Maureen, Well, my daughter was told to keep the infection contained, which she is doing... She is also cleaning all the carpeting and floors and upholstered furniture. Lysol spray is being used, too.... and clorox. I think she is going to put concentrated Lysol in the dogs' bath water. Such a job. I sent her some enzyme/bacteria killing stuff for the carpet/upholstery cleaner, but it won't be there until Wednesday. I ordered it from Cleanreport.com I think sometimes the bacteria can be airborne, thus a mask might be needed. I am not sure about that, other than what I read online.

The way I understand it, everyone has MRSA on their skin and in their noses. A heathy person can usually fight it off if it is not an unusually virulent strain. Seems the strain that Son-in-law has is sensitive to Tetracycline... so that is the one he is taking, orally, as it is easiest on his damaged kidneys. They have an appt with the wound care center two hours away on Wednesday, so more therapies may be added there. I know silver bandages are available to fight infections.. they use Mepilex now, which is expensive, too. I order those for them... they are delivered from Alabama by UPS. That may be changing to the silver ones. My daughter uses gloves when dressing the wounds but not a mask. I wonder about that. She cleans everything in the laundry with clorox as well as in the bathroom and kitchen.

I am not sure if or when we may be going, at this point. My daughter seems to be handling it, and we may just be in the way, but I know they need plumbing done and a bit of construction....leaking toilet, bathroom floor, etc, which Bob could do or supervise work done. Also, they live in a bi-level home so it is really hard to get Son-in-law to the car if he has an appt. They seem to manage, though. Too many steps.

It is a four day drive for us to go there! I lie awake at night worrying about her.

JOAN

Joan you are helping...but maybe the plumbing and repair work can wait until this infection is gone so you wouldn't be exposed...I know a OB nurse that when her grandmother had MRSA a few years ago and she could not go in to see her because they weren't allow on a floor with a MRSA patient...

I hope the tetracycline works well...

Hi all, l1wv

I just thought that I would add an update here. My daughter reports that her husband's foot ulcers are healing, and the infection appears to be gone! He has physical therapy starting on Friday.... a first for him.

(0) JOAN

Great news! :D
Thanks for updating us!
Rebecca

Well that's a load off your mind! :wub: I'm so glad things are looking up for them.

(grh)

(grh) ^db^ That's great news! As Marti said, a load off your mind for sure!

That is fabulous news (0) Hopes he makes a fast and complete recovery!
Maureen

Well that is good news. I pray he will continue to improve and your daughter gets some much needed rest!

(grh)