Editor,
I would like to thank the Daily Lobo for running the article on staph infection on Monday. I am a survivor of a bacterial staph infection. I became seriously ill after the Christmas of 2004 and only became sicker throughout January 2005.
On Jan. 6, 2005, I was rushed to UNM Hospital due to numerous falls within my house. After performing diagnostic tests, my family was notified that I had a bacterial staph infection on my spinal cord, and the doctors needed to do emergency surgery. The infection I had could have either killed me or left me paraplegic for the rest of my life. From what I have been told, I was in surgery for four hours. The staph infection I had created temporary paralysis, and I had to re-learn how to walk.
I have gone from a wheel chair to a walker to a cane and am now walking unassisted. I am unable to drive due to loss of feeling in my right foot, but I am alive. I was hospitalized with this nearly fatal illness for 3 1/2 months.
As a survivor of this intense infection, I would like to say thank you again for this important article.
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Elizabeth Le Cam
UNM student
