I received an email from Ms. Muller the other day - she is very concerned about MRSA, and has seen the ugly side of prosthetics first hand, and has a lawsuit going against her surgeon and the hospital involved.
She had a double mastectomy, and during one of her reconstructive surgeries, to put expanders in to prepare her for her reconstruction, MRSA attached itself to the spacers and she acquired an infection. Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard this story, my close friend got an infection during this same process. MRSA loves to create a biofilm on these prosthetic devices, they must absolutely be watched so closely, and even then it doesn’t always work.
Here is Ms. Muller’s story in the NY Post if you want to read a little more about it. The most important thing to get out of her story is that you must absolutely be so cautious when working with prosthetics, and always ask your doctor what they are doing to keep you safe from infection. This is one big reason why it is so important for hospitals to disclose their infection rates - so you can make an educated decision.
.gif)
8 responses so far ↓
Angela & Bill // Aug 9, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Hi We are located in Westchester County, New York. My I life partner may have MRSA but we aren’t getting clear answers to our questions from the Doctors…we are just told he has an infection and it is treatable and never told what kind of infection.
I would like it if Nicolle Muller would e-mail us as to how she found out she had MRSA and what test we should ask for to get answers and maybe even her attorney’s name to help us get the answers we need.
Nicolle Muller // Aug 29, 2007 at 10:50 am
Hi Angela and Bill,
I just now saw your response and am writing you back.
The hospitial took a blood test and saw I had MRSA from the hosptial. Please call me or write to me and I will give you my attorneys number.
You must ask to have a blood test, have a Sed rate done. I hope this email finds you both doing better.
Sorry for the delay.
Angela and Bill // Dec 3, 2007 at 5:13 pm
For Nicolle Muller
Hi Nicolle,
My life partner has been on a roller coaster of infections, near death since the last time I wrote to you on line. The doctors as of today have not given any clear answers! For the past six months they have given him so many antibiotics for infection/s? that he now has Cholestatic Hepatitis, and he is so jaundice he is the exact color of French’s mustard!
We have called a few lawyers they have had little interest.
Kindly email us your attorneys name and phone number.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best Regards to you Angela and Bill
e-Mail: doyouknowcoco@yahoo.com
Liz // Apr 12, 2008 at 1:27 am
Dear Nicolle,
My mother was diagnosed with MRSA today. Her story sounds somewhat like yours.
She had a mascectomy on Jan. 24, and she also had an expander placed. A few days later, she came down with a horrible case of shingles, leaving her with Post Herpetic Neuralgia.
The other day she came to me complaining about the pain, and said she was perspiring on her left side pretty badly. A few moments later, she came to me crying that her breast was leaking!!! I looked and saw a small hole in the place where the incision had been, although healed. A white substance was oozing out of the new wound. I ran to call 911.
She is now in the hospital on IV antiobiotics. Her breast surgeon took the expander out manually, cleaned the area, and said he could not keep the expander in, and took it out as well b/c the whole area was infected so badly. Now, the infection is diagnosed with MRSA.
I found your story by doing several google searches to find info on this disease. I just happened to find you this way.
I would be so appreciative for any input you might have. Thank you for your story!!! I hope you are doing better.
Liz in Texas cottagesllc@aol.com
Pat // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:23 am
Dear Nicolle,
I believe my story mirrors yours. I have had five surgeries following my implant surgery just for infections. I just complete my last surgery and believe another infection has occurred again. I need to find a doctor that will tell me if this is MRSA and can cure the infection. The hospital keeps telling me it is a suture problem but I have my doubts. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Pat // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:25 am
Nicolle,
Forgot to send e-mail address.
Pat // Jul 23, 2008 at 8:27 am
Nicolle,
Pat’s e-mail address: northplankmurphy@yahoo,com
Melody Pitruzzello // Feb 7, 2010 at 7:45 pm
first of all I don’t what the website part means.
Second your story sounds like exactly like what happened to me. When I told my doctor that I thougtht that I was Health Care affiliated MRSA he said no I was Community Affiliated. There are different criterias for both. I am about to hit my two year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor but I still have problems with the effects of the MRSA, Including the big hole in my chest. And per my doctor it will be at least a year until I can consider having that surgically repaired.
Like I told my husband the other night, ” I just want my body back”.
I would like connections to pursue this further.
Have a great Superbowl Sunday.
Thanks for reading,
Melody Pitruzzello
Leave a Comment