The NNFF guestbook is the heart of our foundation -- so many people have found kinship and support in each other! Please spend some time reading through the entries made throughout the past three years (click icon on right). Talk about your experience! Keep in mind that if you have an urgent question, you should email Donna or Jackie as we do not review the guestbook on a daily basis!

Jun 1, 1999 - 19:07

My name is: Pat from Woodbury, MN

Comments about the web site: My husband had NF in February, 99. He had shoulder/back pain from what doctors thought was a pulled muscle. 4 doctors and 8 days later, he was fighting for his life with toxic shock and a golf ball size bump. That night surgeons removed 8"x11" inches of skin and fat. He is a fit, 41 yr old, athletic type. In April he is back at work and almost healed. In February, my two children and I had strep throat. I do daycare and two babies had strep throat. Strep had been going around the my son's preschool class. I wanted the school to warn teachers, send a message home with classmates, and include a symptom list in the school newsletter. Because if the others weren't warned what to watch for, chances are the doctors would disdiagnose it. The school's attitude was "strep is commonplace, we don't do anything about it." I wish the State Teachers' Association and school health coordinators would develop a policy and statement on what to do if they know about NF attacking staff, students and their family members. I have not seen any news of other cases here, and will continue to pursue it. PS: In early Feb. Jim visited at a hospital with an NF patient two doors down from our patient. We don't know the source of his contamination, but wonder... I am going to write Dear Abby, Ann Landers, and Ophra. If anyone out there would appear on Ophra, please write or email her too. Wouldn't that be great coverage so others would know symptoms and get early treatment!

I'm from: Woodbury, MN USA

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Jun 3, 1999 - 16:29

My name is: xan

Comments about the web site: did u people write a book on this and if so what is it called?

I'm from: ny

Email: - xan26@yahoo.com

How I found the page: -

Jun 6, 1999 - 13:02

My name is: William Herwerth

Comments about the web site: I have a nephew who has a very bad case of this monster is there any financal help available? Contact Champlane Hospital Plattsburg NY

I'm from: Kinderhook NY

Email: - bherwerth@berk.com

How I found the page: - Searching

Jun 8, 1999 - 10:08

My name is: Gina Magliocco

Comments about the web site: Interesting site. Very sad story - re Joseph Magliocco. You can guess how I found it - my dad's name was also Joseph Magliocco.

I'm from: Galway, Ireland

Email: -

How I found the page: - As above.

Jun 8, 1999 - 15:36

My name is: Jack Burkel

Comments about the web site: I very sincerely hope I can help.

I'm from: Annandale, VA

Email: - jfb1934@aol.com

How I found the page: - web search

Jun 11, 1999 - 15:17

My name is: Stephen Mitchell

Comments about the web site: It is good to see someone providing some information about this disease for general consumption. I suferred from Necrotising fasciitus in my left arm during early 1996 and am now very scarred on the underside of it. That said, the condition arose out of a cellulitus that gained entry through a psoriatic plaque and the resuluting blood bound infection nearly got me first. Although I spent a month in hospital in total and needed extensive plastic surgery I am now fit and in generally good health. It was a frightening time for me and my family but this disease can and is defeated very often by quick diagnosis and decisive surgery by the medical profession. Anything that can improve the speed and ease with which the disease is diagnose is to be applauded. Thanks again for publishing this information.

I'm from: The Netherlands

Email: - mitchellsteve@hotmail.com

How I found the page: - searching for info using webferret

Jun 12, 1999 - 04:05

My name is: Kim

Comments about the web site: I have read the site and the guestbook. My husband is in the hospital suffering from this as I write. I have taken down notes from your site and am armed with plenty of questions for them in the morning. To the surviors your testamonies are very supportive, and to those to have lost loved ones my heart felt sympathy to you all. Please say a small prayer for my husband Mark.

I'm from: Redford Township, Michigan

Email: - lshowa4120@aol.com

How I found the page: - searching

Jun 12, 1999 - 04:07

My name is: Kim

Comments about the web site: I have read the site and the guestbook. My husband is in the hospital suffering from this as I write. I have taken down notes from your site and am armed with plenty of questions for them in the morning. To the surviors your testamonies are very supportive, and to those to have lost loved ones my heart felt sympathy to you all. Please say a small prayer for my husband Mark.

I'm from: Redford Township, Michigan

Email: - lshowa4120@aol.com

How I found the page: - searching

Jun 12, 1999 - 18:22

My name is: M.DANZIGER

Comments about the web site: I DID A SCIENCE REPORT ON NACROTIZING FASCIITIS THIS PAGE REALLY HELPED ME. I WAS ABLE TO DO THE WHOLE REPORT WITH ONLY THIS PAGE. I GOT AN A+. THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING THIS PAGE UP. I SEND SYMPATHY TO ALL WHO HAVE SUFFERED WHO ARE SUFFERING NOW. I READ THE STORIES OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SURVIED THAT PUT THEIR STORIES ON THIS PAGE.

I'm from: LOS ANGELES, CA USA

Email: -

How I found the page: - ALTAVISTA

Jun 13, 1999 - 15:31

My name is: A SEAVER

Comments about the web site:

I'm from: PORTLAND, OREGONS

Email: - SEAVERA@AOL.COM

How I found the page: - SEARCH

Jun 15, 1999 - 09:47

My name is: Cliff MCCawley

Comments about the web site: I have been looking for such a site for over a year now and am reading furiously. My daughter, Lee contracted this desease on the operating table while undergoing surgery for a hysterectomy. Within 24 hours she had "died" twice and been resuciated. A cloud of mystery fell over the subject with lots of sympathy but little if any explanation of how it all came about.

I'm from: Adelaide, South Australia

Email: - cliffmc@smartchat.net.au

How I found the page: - Jackie made contact with me over the net. I then searched.

Jun 18, 1999 - 09:28

My name is: Kimberly A. Belas-Miller

Comments about the web site: I need Specifics.

I'm from: Joppa, MD USA

Email: - veronica@iximd.com

How I found the page: - A kind man at NIH

Jun 18, 1999 - 16:35

My name is: JEFF BEASLEY

Comments about the web site: TODAY WHILE AT WORK I WAS READING AND ARTICLE FROM THE SACRAMENTO BEE NEWPAPER ABOUT 2 PEOPLE GETTING THE "FLESH EATING BACTERIA " IN SAN FRANCISCO. I WAS SO SHOCKED AT THE DESCRIPITION I DECIDED TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND MORE INFORMATION. I HAVE READ EVERY STORY YOU HAVE POSTED ON YOUR SITE WITH A LUMP IN MY THROAT SO LARGE THAT I COULD NOT TALK TO MY CO-WORKERS. INFORMATION LIKE THAT IS NOT ONLY SHOCK THERPY BUT CAN AND I AM SURE WILL SAVE LIVES. TO EACH AND EVERY ONE I SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR CORAGE. I AM A YOUNG FATHER OF A SON THAT 7 YRS. BECAUSE OF YOUR STORIES AND THIS SITE I AM NOW INFORMED. I NOW KNOW THE WORD "NECROTIZING FASCIITIS" AND WILL NEVER FORGET IT. I THANK YOU. JEFF BEASLEY SACRAMENTO, CA

I'm from: SACRAMENTO, CA

Email: - JBEASLEY@RAMCO-INS.COM

How I found the page: - SNAP.COM (SEARCH ENGINE) KEYWORK: NECROTIZING FASCIITIS

Jun 18, 1999 - 22:38

My name is: Douglas

Comments about the web site: In May 1999 our 2 1/2 year old son contracted Chicken Pox. Six days later he was running a high fever, had a rash over his body, and in severe pain. He was then diagnosed and tested positive for Strep Throat. The next day a swollen red spot showed up on his thigh, and he was given another shot of antibiotics. The eighth day a MRI was ordered and he was admitted into the hospital suffering from NF. After two surgeries, and five days in the hospital he is now doing excellent. We know it was the quick action of the doctors that saved our son's life.

I'm from: Idaho

Email: - walcat@uswest.net

How I found the page: - Searching for Streptococcus

Jun 18, 1999 - 22:39

My name is: Douglas

Comments about the web site: In May 1999 our 2 1/2 year old son contracted Chicken Pox. Six days later he was running a high fever, had a rash over his body, and in severe pain. He was then diagnosed and tested positive for Strep Throat. The next day a swollen red spot showed up on his thigh, and he was given another shot of antibiotics. The eighth day a MRI was ordered and he was admitted into the hospital suffering from NF. After two surgeries, and five days in the hospital he is now doing excellent. We know it was the quick action of the doctors that saved our son's life.

I'm from: Idaho

Email: - walcat@uswest.net

How I found the page: - Searching for Streptococcus

Jun 19, 1999 - 00:51

My name is: colleen crump, rn

Comments about the web site: This site has helped me a great deal to cope with caring for 2 patients I had with necrotizing fasciitis. Please be advocates for anyone you know that has this disease to get to a large medical center where they treat septic shock regularly. It is usually the sepsis and the multi-organ failure that kills the patients. It takes medical and nursing expertise to survive. You will only find that experience and expertise at large centers.

I'm from: Sebastopol, Ca.

Email: - nursecrump@yahoo.com

How I found the page: - search engine on necrotizing

Jun 21, 1999 - 14:35

My name is: Richard Duncan

Comments about the web site: I am a survivor of NF and was lucky to lose only a part of my thumb. Doctors seemed most blase about the infection at the time. Wish I had known more about it at the time (30 months ago now). A very, very scary experience!

I'm from: Temporarily in Calgary Alberta. Formerly of Marin Co. CA

Email: - rgduncan@ultralink.com

How I found the page: - My 11 year old son has just had a battle with "cellulitis" and I was looking for more info.

Jun 21, 1999 - 19:20

My name is: JJ EBROM

Comments about the web site: WANTED TO SPEAK TO OR WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THRU THIS EXPERIENCE. AT THE MOMENT I AM ON MY 6TH WEEK DEALING WITH THIS DARN THING. I WILL ADMIT FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE READ I AM DIFFENTLY ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. I AM ALSO TRYING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS THING. THE E-MAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT BE MY OWN.

I'm from: TEXAS

Email: - P.A.HOGEBOOM@WORLDNET.ATT.NET

How I found the page: - FROM YOUR WESITE

Jun 22, 1999 - 17:47

My name is: Ronald Persoon

Comments about the web site: After a small surgery in june 1997 I was also infected with the A streptoc bacterie. After a few weeks in the intensive care i survived this. They took away a lot of skin of my back and some muscles parts. The defect is about 60 x 40 cm. I'm still going to a plastic surgeon to try to make it better with tissue expanders. Last time they infected, so I have to go a few more times.

I'm from: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Email: - pucky@bart.nl

How I found the page: - search on the web for flesh eating disease

Jun 23, 1999 - 08:41

My name is: Larry Coffman

Comments about the web site: I have found your web site to be very informative. It is easy to use. You should be commended for your efforts and the accomplishments that you have made.

I'm from: Paducah, KY. USA

Email: - lcoffman@apex.net

How I found the page: - Did a search on Yahoo

Jun 24, 1999 - 18:40

My name is: Danielle Jones

Comments about the web site: In the community in which I live someone just lost their life to this disease, this is a wonderful site for people who want to educate themselves on this disease and the preventative measures, thank you for making it.

I'm from: Valdosta, Georgia

Email: - jacobc3@yahoo.com

How I found the page: - yahoo

Jun 25, 1999 - 11:30

My name is: Joel Geller

Comments about the web site: My father, Irving Geller, died Sunday June 13 of NF. He went into the hospital for a serious bladder infection but was doing well after about ten days. My sister noticed an oozing blister on his stomach about the size of a quarter. The attending doctor paid little attention to it. Within a few days his entire abdomen and groin area was infected. We were told he need immeadiate surgery with a 50 50 chance of survival. The surgery was "sucessful". After a second surgery a few days later we were told that there was no hope. We had to make the difficult decision to terminate treatment and let his suffering end. Once the blood pressure medicine was withdrawn he died shortly thereafter. He was 88 years old but until he went into the hospital he was very healthy. In fact he had a hole in one four years ago when he visited me in San Diego. He died in Toronto thanks to inffective socialized medical care. Fortunately he had a long and prosperous life. He will be dearly missed. I can be contacted a JoeyG@home. com.

I'm from:

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Jun 27, 1999 - 01:21

My name is: Ross Gilley

Comments about the web site: My wife was stricken on May 12, 1999. The fact we live near a full service hospital, and the emergency physician on duty made a rapid (10 min) and accurate diagnosis, saved her life. This gives us hope that more cases can be identified quickly in the future. Our experience was that the awareness is very high; for that we have been very thankful.

I'm from: Kelowna, BC, Canada

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Jun 27, 1999 - 11:48

My name is: Keith Cheng

Comments about the web site: This is a good website for providing those useful materials. More photos will be better

I'm from: Hong Kong

Email: - Kf8888@hotmail.com

How I found the page: - Yahoo

Jun 27, 1999 - 22:13

My name is: Pat from Woodbury

Comments about the web site: This second note is Jim's story. Jim, my handsome, 40 year old husband, had NF surgery and skin grafs in Feb. 99 and is doing very well. I have learned more about evasive strep A infections and think that Jim's outbreak may have been connected to our son's (4 yrs old) scarlet fever. Our son had strep throat, low fever, stomach ache, chills, and at the end a red rash. After his symptoms were gone, Jim developed upper shoulder/back pain. For him the pain was sudden and intense. I had to help him get dressed that morning. He went to an urgent care clinic and got a diagnosis of a pulled muscle. He went to an emergency room and there the doctor told him he had to tough it out, but offered him an MRI, which Jim refused. A third doctor did not even look at his back/shoulder and wrote a prescription for a stronger muscle relaxer. By that time Jim had swelling, a red rash, fever, lack of sleep for days (hypertension), and confusion. The next emergency room doctor put a big strap around Jim's chest to hold his arm down. He said Jim was moving it too much. Jim had been vomiting, had a higher 102 temp, severe chills, confusion, and PAIN. The doctor suggested he go home, and told me that Jim was anxious. NOT! Trust your own feelings and if you know something is not right, insist on more investigation! All thru this Jim was writhing in pain almost unable to lay on the bed. He had a morphine IV put in, which still did not help. He was admitted at 5 am, had a MRI at 3pm. The orthopedic doctor said, good news, bad news: the MRI looks fine, but we don't know what is wrong. An later Xray and ultrasound gave no indication of what was wrong. The orthopedic doctor had examined his back very careful and wrote down a comment about an infectious disease consult, but did not order it. Jim's blood pressure was dropping, he was very confused, and in PAIN. I knew he was getting worse, and the nurses told me that "no one ever died from a pulled muscle." I had to leave to pickup my small children and to find babysitters. Upon my arrival home, I got a call that Jim was being rushed to surgery. They had finally had the consult with an infectious disease doctor, who diagnosed NF over the phone. Jim was transferred to Regions Burn Unit in St. Paul, for skin grafs. The nurses there are very knowledgable about NF as they treat 12-20 NF patients a year (I think many are transferred from other hospitals). The skin grafs were very painful for Jim. The donor site was in extreme pain immediately after surgery. Most of the graf took but there were several areas where the skin needed to grow from the edges inward. He was discharged about 15 days after his NF surgery. His donor site got infected, and he had to go to tub therapy daily for about 2 or 3 weeks. Then I changed his bandages daily -- his entire back and one shoulder for about two months. Today is almost the end of June 99 and he is almost healed, except for one small spot. He is doing 30 pushups now and pitching softball. He is still sensitive about which shirts he wears, as t-shirts show a lot of scarring. He doesn't appreciate the stares from some people when he forgets he has a t-shirt and goes into a store. I am still reading about NF, strep A infections, investigating how schools deal with news of evasive Strep A infections, and planning to promote education on NF somehow. It is awful that so many are misdiagnosed. Jim was really lucky. He was showing shock signs, but never needed a ventilator, or kidney dialysis, or multiple surgeries. In this household, we have a new respect for strep A. And my heart goes out to all those families who have had to deal with NF.

I'm from: Minnesota

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Jun 27, 1999 - 23:03

My name is: Gail B. Wilson

Comments about the web site: I was interested because my uncle was diagnosed with this last week and is presently in the hospital recovering from having his thumb amputated. He is 80 years old and they say it came from a scale from a fish he was cleaning. I was just trying to learn something about this disease. Hope you are doing well.

I'm from: Colonial Heights, Virginia

Email: - gailbwil@aol.com

How I found the page: - Just typed in flesh eating disease