E. coli victim still hospitalized
Sharon Smith, the mother of Stephanie Smith, a Minnesota resident who has been hospitalized for months after eating a hamburger and becoming ill with E. coli poisoning, spoke with Kirsti Marohn of the St. Cloud Times for an article that appeared in today's paper. She shared the story of the few days before Stephanie became ill with symptoms of E. coli infection, and of her hospitalization. The 20-year-old dance instructor has undergone intensive medical treatment while doctors work to support her body. Five days after becoming ill, Stephanie was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome and was placed in a coma when she began having seizures. As Kristi Marohn wrote:
Two months later, she remains in critical condition at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, fighting for her life against a severe case of E. coli poisoning.Stephanie's is one of the most severe E. coli cases reported on in recent years, but she is not alone. Other E. coli victims from outbreaks this fall have also been hospitalized for lengthy periods - at least one other in a coma.
Doctors have told Sharon that Stephanie remains extremely critical. She was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, caused when E. coli toxins enter the bloodstream.
The severity of her case is very rare, similar to only a handful of others worldwide. Still, Sharon hasn’t given up hope that her only daughter, with her wide smile and warm personality, will pull through.
There are hopeful signs. Stephanie’s kidneys have started functioning again, and she no longer needs dialysis. But there are setbacks, too. Her tongue has swelled so doctors have had to prop her mouth open and put an oxygen mask on her. So far, attempts to lower the coma-inducing drugs have resulted in more seizures. She continues to breathe with the help of a respirator.
There is an acupuncturist in San Jose,California, Dr. Zhu, who is a master in treating neurological conditions. This is his specialty. He wrote a book on Scalp Acupuncture techniques and is in the process of writing another. Has been in practice 40 years. I have seen miracles happen with his approach. A great man. You can reach him through
www.scalpacupuncture.org. There are testimonials. All are true.
I met him in 1992. He teaches at the doctorial program at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine where I attended school, 2 x a year. I hope this may be of some help to you.
The USDA has a wonderful plan to protect us from tainted meats. They call it NAIS(National animal Identification System) . It requires that in order for you to feel safe about eating any meats, that I (and everyone else who owns even one animal) must register my premises with the govt, microchip all my critters and then tell the govt where and when I ride my horse. Sound silly? Of course it is, but not to big ag and the chip making companies. They can claim that knowing the whereabouts of every last animal (even if it is a backyard pony, pet pot belly pig or parakeet) in the US is a way to stop outbreaks and that by killing the animals within those outbreak areas (no testing required) disease is contained and the meat raised on factory farms is safe. (the animals on factory farms get one lot number per groups of animals) Only thing is, e-coli contamination comes after NAIS tracking stops which is when the animal is slaughtered and that the meat can be contaminated during the meat processing. This event of the poor woman being paralyzed is being discussed on nonais.org. See how this program will not protect even vegetarians.