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!

Sep 4, 1999 - 02:12

My name is: Sharon

Comments about the web site: My father recently (5 days ago) had his right leg amputated just below the knee. He is diabetic, and he had a wound on the bottom of his foot that would not heal. The wound had actually only been there for about a week, but in that short time, the infection spread from his heel, to his entire foot, and up his leg above his ankle. I just learned today that he had Necrotizing Fasciitis. This is all new to me. I had never heard of this before. I am glad that I found your web site so quickly. It seems to be very informative.

I'm from: Mtn. View, CA USA

Email: - SharonBCA@aol.com

How I found the page: - Lycos search engine directed me to another site that directed me to you.

Sep 5, 1999 - 14:07

My name is: Margaret Kallow

Comments about the web site: It's just one year ago now that I took ill with NFF. I had no previous injury or anything and my local doctors did not take my symptoms seriously. By the time I was admitted to hospital the infection was well advanced. I was at death's door-the infection had spread into my bloodstream. My family were told to prepare for the worse. We are a Christian family and our church members formed a prayer vigil for me right across the country. By God's Grace I was spared,but spent 6 weeks in a high dependency unit. I am left with a hole big enough to put your hand in in the left of my neck and underwent several surgeries and a skin graft. I am thankful to have survived to see my son's wedding this summer-but I wasn't afraid to die as I knew I would go to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus. It hasn't been easy recovering but friends and family have been so kind. The trauma of it all means that I am finding it difficult to return to work but I can trust THE ONE in Lcontrol of everything. Thanks for your site it's the only place I have found to answer my medical queries.

I'm from: Leicester , England

Email: - Faqir@kallows@freeserve.uk

How I found the page: - From a fellow sufferer

Sep 5, 1999 - 17:01

My name is: Susan Saathoff

Comments about the web site: I am a surviver of this deadly infection. I am now well enough to do some research. I was hospitalized for 61 days. I had 15 surgerys and still will have one or two yet. I like many became deathly ill. I became septic. I lost my total abdominal wall, I lost about 60% of my bowel, my left kidney,part of my liver and it started to attack my left leg. I have had 12 surgerys removing dead tissue and 3 surgurys(so far) o f skin grafting. I am having a tough time and would like to talk with others that have been through what I have and am going through. Thanks

I'm from: Stillman Valley, IL 61084

Email: - Reborn4chr@aol.com

How I found the page: - Looking up necrotizing fasciitis

Sep 6, 1999 - 15:19

My name is: Heather Joy Gerlach

Comments about the web site: I'm so glad I found this web site. My father died on 8-31-99 of NF.

I'm from: Jackson Center, Pa. U.S.A.

Email: - heidijoy71@yahoo.com

How I found the page: - luck

Sep 6, 1999 - 20:38

My name is: Carol Rolfe

Comments about the web site: It has been some time now since I revisited the website of NNFF. First off great job Donna & Jackie. I have been in contact with Jackie several times and thank god for her and her strength. I am a survivor of almost two years in November of 1999. I cannot believe how many new entries there have been! I thank god for all of you who have survived this "monster". I read particularly with interest Pat from Woodbury about her husband Jim. Sounds almost the same as my case and have hired an attorney to assist with possible legal action. Any doctor or medical staff who in this day and age makes a statement as to "no one ever died from a pulled muscle" ought to have his/her license pulled. Any time a human being comes to a doctor with such excursciating pain it should be taken VERY SERIOUSLY. NF IS NOT AN INFECTION THAT JUST HAPPENED! It has been around for a very long time and every doctor who reads medical jounals should be aware of this and for that matter any type of "Strept" infection. My heart, prayers and thoughts are with all the people who are currently fighting this horrible infection, the survivors - hang in there and keep fighting!!! For the families who are helping their loved ones survive, keep praying and fighting too!!! Demand, demand, demand from the doctors out there!!! For all the people who have lost their loved ones, my heart and soul go out to you and all. You have endured something that NOONE should be subjected to in this day and age. If I were diagonsed days before I would not have the loss of skin/fat/muscle/lymph nodes that I have. I thank God each and every day!! If you would like to contact me and chat or just need support...PLEASE do so!!! I am a survivor and as the rest out there, life is good, but if I can help in the least bit, I WILL!!!!! Prayers to all of you!!!

I'm from: Madison, WI

Email: - Petii@aol.com

How I found the page: - Been here before!!!!

Sep 7, 1999 - 12:06

My name is: Holly Mason

Comments about the web site: My husband was diagnosed with Necrotizing Fasciitous in August of 1996. He had it on his leg and hip area, they removed muscle and tissue mass from both areas. He had four operations and spent eight weeks in the hospital. Though his health is good now, the doctors have no explanation of how he contracted NF. He is immune system seems to have weakened because of the high dose of antibiotic he had to take. He also has flare-ups of cellulitious on areas surrounding his scar tissue. We feel very fortunate that he is well and did't loose a limb with the infection.

I'm from: Georgetown, SC

Email: - hmasonsc@netscape.net

How I found the page: - search

Sep 8, 1999 - 11:23

My name is: Terry and Nancy Shaffer

Comments about the web site: Our mother Marie L. Shaffer passed away on February 18, 1999 of NF. Her death from NF has been very difficult to accept. She was in good health up to the day she was admitted to the hospital. She was initially diagnosed with 3rd degree burns on her right hip and possibly a heart attack or stroke. She had no blood pressure and a very rapid heart rate. The nurses attempted all day on the day she was admitted to get a blood pressure and regulate her heart all with no success. It was not until the next morning that an infectious disease specialist was contacted. He examined her and at that time suspected she might have NF. He did attempt to do surgery but was unsuccessful and she passed away during the procedure. We feel that she was misdiagnosed from the very beginning. Her children and grandchildren miss her greatly.

I'm from: Springfield, Oregon U.S.A.

Email: - tnshaff@worldnet.att.net

How I found the page: - Spokane Washington epidimiologist gave us the web address

Sep 9, 1999 - 10:50

My name is: Mary Stone

Comments about the web site: My dad is suffering from Nectrotizing fasciitis as I type this and has been in the hospital since July 16. He is doing better, but the recovery is long and very detailed.

I'm from: Paris, MO, USA

Email: - Mary972@aol.com

How I found the page: - AOL search

Sep 11, 1999 - 07:59

My name is: Mick Ferris

Comments about the web site: Saw on an Australian program "Guiness World Records" and thought I read more about it. My deepest feelings go out to the people who have been affected by this.

I'm from: Queensland, Australia

Email: - wundurra@primus.com.au

How I found the page: - used search engine after program

Sep 14, 1999 - 15:58

My name is: Melissa K.

Comments about the web site: My mother died of this disease 3 weeks ago. Her pancreas was being eaten from this type of infection. It is hard to think about life without her.

I'm from: Visalia, CA,USA

Email: -

How I found the page: - I found this page because I wanted to find out more info about this disease.

Sep 14, 1999 - 23:40

My name is: Todd Louviaux

Comments about the web site: My wife was also infected with NF during May of 1998. After 3 1/2 months in an intensive care unit and 20+ operations later she is doing much better. She started reconstructive surgery in June of this year and is really coming along. To anybody that has stumbled onto this site because a loved one has contracted this devastating bacteria, I say to you that I to was/is once in your place. I know that things may not look good right now, but don't stop fighting and praying. When my wife came out of her initial surgery the doctors told me that she had a 10% chance of making it through the night. And if she did make it she would probably lose her legs. Guess what, she is alive today and chases our children around the house every day on both of her legs. Granted she has lost a tremendous amount of tissue from both legs, but who cares - she is alive! Remember this the human body is an incredible machine. I would have never thought my wife would heal the way she did! She is living proof that this disease can be beat even when given the slimest of odds; and let me tell you she had NF about as bad as you can get it. So do not stop praying. Do not stop fighting. Do not stop until this is behind you. It takes a long time, but each day is a victory. Remember to take care of yourself as well. You are no good to your loved one if you let your body get run down. You need to be a "positive wizard" no matter how tough things get! If anybody wants to talk please do not hesitate to email me at IGOYRD@AOL.COM. If anybody has/is seeking legal action and wants to talk please email me at IGOYRD@AOL.COM.

I'm from: Sterling, VA

Email: - IGOYRD@AOL.COM

How I found the page: - just looking for answers- yahoo

Sep 17, 1999 - 00:50

My name is: Sara

Comments about the web site: I wanted to learn more about this disease. Most importantly, I wanted to know how it is caught, and how we can protect ourselves against it. I live near a city in British Columbia that has had quite a few cases in the last year. It is really fightening to know how quickly this disease takes over your body.

I'm from: Vancouver, British Columbia

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Sep 17, 1999 - 21:15

My name is: Candace

Comments about the web site: How come we don't spend more money on this disease, if it is so serious?

I'm from:

Email: -

How I found the page: -

Sep 20, 1999 - 18:50

My name is: Judy Macpherson

Comments about the web site: I am a registered nurse in Mission, B.C. Canada. I have heard alot about necrotizing faciitis and am greatfull for this site with information. I am doing a community assessment of the township of Langley, B.C and noticed they have had a high incidence of NF. Do you already have fact from here? Anyway...thanks.

I'm from: British Columbia, Canada

Email: - firefall@uniserve.com

How I found the page: - general search for NF

Sep 21, 1999 - 16:30

My name is: Taya

Comments about the web site: Thank u soo much for this information it is helping me a lot on this health project I am doing for science!

I'm from: Arizona

Email: - Tulips529

How I found the page: - I am doing a research paper and found it on Lycos

Sep 21, 1999 - 20:46

My name is: Linda Nunis, RN, BSN

Comments about the web site: I teach nursing at a small hospital in Bedford, Virginia. We presently have one case of NF in our ICU. The patient is very young (at least to me). The measures being taken to save this patient's life seem drastic, but after reading this site I realize the physicians are doing all they can. Thank you SO VERY MUCH for this site. You have done an EXCELLENT JOB!!

I'm from: Bedford County, Virginia (I live in the town of Big Island

Email: - nunisrestorations@yahoo.com

How I found the page: - I simply input "necrotizing fasciitis".

Sep 28, 1999 - 17:36

My name is: Jane linear

Comments about the web site: As a survivor of a severe case of NF, I truly appreciated your website. I learned more about what almost killed me in 15 minutes from you than I did from 2 months in the hospital! Keep up the good work. I am looking for support groups as I am discovering I have some psychological stuff lurking in me that needs dealing with. Thanks again....Jane

I'm from: Auburn, CA, USA

Email: - janie@foothill.net

How I found the page: - I searched for flesh-eating bacteria

Sep 30, 1999 - 00:32

My name is: Bonita M. Gordon, RN, BSN

Comments about the web site: I am a RN working on my Masters in Nursing. I have taken care of three patients with NF, only one who has survived. I am presently doing a presentation for one of my Masters classes.

I'm from: Columbia Mo, USA

Email: - rhyones3@aol.com

How I found the page: - web search

Sep 30, 1999 - 08:19

My name is: Michele Fogle-Sizemore

Comments about the web site: I am a 6 year survior of NF, losing 1/2 of my right breast and comatose for 3 weeks. I am grateful for my survival but often suffer depression and sadness. Would like to hear from other NF survivors. Glad to find this site.

I'm from: Charlotte, NC, USA

Email: - missyfs@aol.com

How I found the page: - from a search of "Flesh-eating Bacteria"