Recovering From Flesh Eating Disease
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Updated: 7:38 AM Sep 13, 2006
Recovering From Flesh Eating Disease
Colorado Springs
A month ago, we first introduced you to Shayla Baier, a woman fighting for her life after being diagnosed with a rare flesh eating disease.
Posted: 6:03 PM Sep 12, 2006
Reporter: Lauri Martin
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A story you'll only see on 11 news...

A month ago, we first introduced you to Shayla Baier, a woman fighting for her life after being diagnosed with a rare flesh eating disease. When she was first diagnosed, doctors said she would probably not make it and told her family to pray for a miracle. Well, the family got their miracle. She is now home.

In July, Shayla was rushed to the Penrose Community Hospital in labor. A week after her son was born two months premature, Shayla discovered a red bump on her neck. Doctors just thought it was an infection and surgically inserted tubes to drain the wound. "The next day, it turned black. They took to Memorial Hospital with my dad and that’s the last thing I remember," Shayla told 11 News.

For the next month, Shayla remains in a medically induced coma, going through 4 more surgeries. Doctors were trying to remove the flesh-eating bacteria, also known as necrotizing fasciitis. It's rare, but the bacteria produce a toxin inside the body that eats away at your muscles and soft tissue. "They had to cut 1 ½ inches deep, cutting tendons and nerves and stuff. They tried not to get my face."

Now she can't lift her left arm. She recently had skin taken from her thighs and grafted it along her neck and chest. Shayla said there are several spots along her shoulder and neck that she can’t feel. It’s numb.

Shayla's been home for about a week now and she says she feels good for the most part. "All of this skin will fall off and look like this. It’ll start to turn normal in a year and doctors said you won't even be able to tell."

Shayla knows her neck can be shocking to some, but she's happy that she miraculously won a battle no one thought she would. "I just take it day by day."

Her son, Garrett, now six pounds, is finally coming home on Thursday. For more information about the flesh eating bacteria, return to the homepage and click on “As Seen On KKTV”. Also, if you would like to donate to Shayla’s medical bills, go to any Wells Fargo Bank. The account number is 3112243377.

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