Introduction as of 10/7/15

Several years ago as I was battling c-diff in a fight for my life, my pastor Harriet Hutton, who shepherds the flock of Economy United Methodist Church in PA,  suggested that when I felt better, I should blog about the nightmare I was experiencing.  Today I am much better and do not have c-diff; however, my condition was so weakened by this disease that I became susceptible to other health problems. As a professional author and one-time publisher, I thought that writing about this subject would be fairly easy, but until now I was not emotionally ready to do so. I would try and then I would cry!


 I now know that I did not have to go through this ordeal if only I had been educated about the disease; however, to be truthful, until my body hosted this bug, I had never heard of it. In order to better tell my story, I must go back through the years and tell exactly what happened to me in the proper order. I will post as often as possible and will welcome comments from my readers.

How This Journey Began--April 2008

It started with a sphenoid sinus infection that was very stubborn. Because the sphenoid is close to the brain, my doctor wanted to avoid surgery if possible. Thus I was given antibiotics and more antibiotics, all of them very powerful. But the infection resisted treatment so the antibiotics continued and finally--after a second opinion at Cleveland Clinic--I seemed to have overcome the infection. It was great to be feeling good again but, unfortunately, I had other symptoms occur that did not seem to be connected in any way to the sinus infection. I was correct; instead the symptoms were connected to the cure. I began to have digestive troubles with constant nausea and  diarrhea that would not clear up. After a couple of weeks I went to my primary care doctor who ordered several tests. When I received the results, I was not too alarmed but rather relieved to have an answer.  I had something called c-diff which was brought on by the antibiotics. Surprisingly, the cure was more specialized antibiotics that defeats the disease in approximately 70 to 80 percent of patients. So, this was an inconvenience but not a big deal.  Or so I thought! Thank God that I did not know what was ahead of me that would take me to the brink of death and cause severe health problems for years. It would influence my physical, emotional, and social life in extremely negative ways. Please follow me through this journey as what I explain could save your life which is my only reason for sharing my ordeal.