Medical Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We wanted to give you an update on Elder Walters last couple of weeks. Since Elder Walters has been in North Carolina we have taken great comfort in knowing that he hasn’t been hospitalized for the last 20 months. About a week ago he noticed his forearm had swollen up like it did when he had the brown recluse spider bite a few months ago. After culturing the sore on his arm, the doctors determined he had a staff infection which is resistant to many antibiotics.

Medical Description: Staph skin infections, including MRSA and ORSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

After spending an average of 7 hours a day from Thursday through Sunday in the emergency room to have the sore cleaned and drained, Elder Walters was admitted to UNC Hospital so he could have IV antibiotics on Sunday and was released on Tuesday. Originally they were going to give him a pick line so he could receive IV antibiotics at home for the next two weeks but opted for an oral medication. He will have a nurse visit every day for the next two weeks to clean and dress the wound. We are very thankful the emergency room doctors decided to hospitalize him and for the infectious disease doctor who cared for him.

The antibiotics make him extremely tired but I think the worst part for Elder Walters has been the missed teaching opportunities. His companionship is teaching a young man who has a sincere desire to learn more about the Gospel. Elder Walters first introduced himself to this young man on campus several weeks ago. His ward members have been wonderful to visit him at the hospital, as well as President and Sister Wallis and Sister Gwyn. Thank you for caring about our son!

Please keep Elder Walters in your prayers for a safe and speedy recovery.

With your love,

Bridgette and Barry