NF Survivor - Debbie Hardie

Debbie Hardie's Survivor Story

My name is Debbie Hardie. I live in Arlington, Texas. I am 46 years old, and my experience with the Strep A flesh-eating bacteria began the day after Christmas, 2000. I thought I had a stomach virus or flu because my early symptoms were chills, nausea, vomiting (not severe), and weakness. However, the back of my right knee ached--like a strained or sore muscle--but I thought nothing of it since I had been really busy during the holidays and had been up and down my ladder decorating, etc. I put a heating pad on the back of my knee Christmas Eve night to ease the soreness. On December 26th, two days into the virus I thought I had, I continued to feel worse, and I noticed two small red spots on my upper right thigh. They looked like small burns, so I assumed that the heating pad had done it. I phoned my doctor's office, and they told me to come in first thing the next morning. As the day progressed I felt weaker and the spots began to turn a purplish-gray color. I again called my doctor's office, and the nurse I spoke with told me to go to the hospital if they changed at all in size or color. By late afternoon my foot began to look odd--not purple but faintly red and puffy. Something inside told me that this was just not normal. I told my husband that I knew the heating pad had not gotten on my foot, and that something was wrong. He immediately told me to get dressed and we left for the minor emergency room close to our home.

This is where my six week ordeal began. Upon arrival at this facility, my blood pressure was 70/40, my pulse rate was 178, I had dehydrated, and my kidney's were functioning at only about 15%. They immediately arranged for my transport by ambulance to our main hospital, Arlington Memorial. When I arrived there, the doctors and nurses began questioning me extensively, and my husband and I relayed the previous days' symptoms, etc. They quickly suspected some type of infection but would have to do tests to make a certain diagnosis. Luckily, the doctors worked very fast and very early on they suspected Strep A--the life-threatening, dangerous form. After blood work, x-rays, sonograms, and exams, the doctors felt sure that we were dealing with a flesh-destroying bacterial infection. The surgeon on call felt that it had not invaded the muscle but had already done extensive damage to my leg. What my husband and I saw in the ER certainly attested to that. I was fully awake and never lost consciousness --I was definitely in need of something to relieve the horrible pain in my leg. The doctors were also very concerned about my kidney function. While still in the ER, I began to see purple bubble-like places come up on my leg, burst, and then leave purple-gray streaks going down my leg. It was like something in a horror movie---we could not believe that a bacteria could do this to a person. Soon, my doctor came in and told me that this was definitely Strep A but it had not gone into my muscle. I was so very thankful for that!!

The next step was to move me into ICU, do cultures and a skin biopsy. These further confirmed the diagnosis. The doctors treated me with massive doses of antibiotics that were specifically used for strep infections. They also were working on stabilizing my blood pressure, heart rate, kidneys, pain, etc. When one of the doctors told my husband that he should probably get my family to the hospital, I could not believe my ears---I had a leg infection and I could possibly die?? It all seemed surreal to me . I had gone from the holidays to being near death in the ICU from a strep infection and I had no clue how I had contracted it.

Fortunately, my main doctor was familiar with the Burn Unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He told me that it would by far be the best place to go for treatment of this type of skin and tissue damage. So, on Saturday, after four days in ICU, I was transported to Parkland. Even though I was still very ill, the infection had been contained to my right leg and had not spread any further. My doctor was right--Parkland was the best place for me. The burn surgeons, residents, nurses, therapists, and other staff were wonderful. While there, I had four surgeries during the month of January, 2001. The first two were mainly for debriding the dead skin and tissue from my leg. The third was the big skin graft surgery, and a fourth a few weeks later was done to tough up and graft a few more places on my leg. My kidneys slowly began to function normally, and even though I'd had dialysis three times, the doctors felt sure I would have full kidney function restored. After six long weeks of daily tank room dressing changes, wound care, physical therapy, doctor visits, surgeries, etc., I was finally able to go home on February 4, 2001.

What a blessing it was to finally be home again!! I know I never would have made it through those terribly difficult weeks without the love and total support of my husband and family. The ordeal I had gone through made me realize so vividly what was truly important in life and how lucky I was to be alive and have such a wonderful family. My two daughters, ages 14 and 8 at the time, and my husband, parents, relatives, and friends were all there for me and helped me through the most difficult time in my life. God had truly been with me and blessed me and had given me strength I never knew I had. Yes, I had my share of long, difficult, depressing days, but I knew I had to be positive and look forward if I was going to get my life back.

The following seven months were filled with physical therapy, rehab, home-care nurses, wound care, doctor visits, walking first with a walker, and then a quad cane and even another surgery (luckily a day surgery this time!) to release my heel cord that had contractured from the skin grafts and to do one final small graft---the long road back! After this surgery, my heel was on the ground again, and I was finally able to really concentrate on getting my "normal walk" back.

Now, two years later, I am doing very well. I do have a very disfigured leg, but I know that I am very lucky to be alive and have my leg and my mobility. I have been able to substitute at my daughter's school this year and it has really helped me to know that I am physically able to work as well as continue my other activities and responsibilities. When I discovered this website and read the many survivor stories, I knew I had to tell my story, too. My heart is with all of the survivors of this disease and I hope and pray that the stories we tell might help others who face this situation and help the medical community as they deal with this frightening disease. I also want to extend my sincere sympathy to those who have lost loved ones to this disease.

Debbie Hardie
djhardie23@tx.rr.com
Arlington, TX
May 16, 2003

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