My name is Robin and my story began Monday, September 10th, 2002. On a plane coming from Salt Lake City to Burbank, my nose began to itch a little. I thought I might be getting a cold or allergic to something, by Tuesday, the following morning, my entire nose was red and swollen.
I've never had a sinus infection before, so I thought that must be what I had. As the day went on I became feverish. My temp was 100.9. I called the Motion Picture and Television Fund clinic in Toluca Lake, not too far from my home. I am a Union member so I knew they would see me. I do not have a GP.
I'm a really healthy person and rarely even go to a doctor.
They said they could not get me in until Friday. I went out with some friends that night and my nose was getting worse and I was feeling bad. They were worried about my nose and so I called the clinic again the next day. Still, they couldn't get me in until Friday. I told them I thought I had a really bad sinus infection and needed some antibiotics.
My temperature was 101. I and continued to get worse. My nose was huge by this time, bulbous and throbbing. I went to the clinic Friday morning and Dr. Ando (an Internal medicine MD) took one look at me and said: "This is very serious, you have cellulitis". He gave me a prescription for Bactrim and Sulfamethoxazole Both 2x a day and some Bactrim ointment to put inside and outside of my nose and sent me to the nurse to get a shot with 2 other antibiotics in it. "You must come back again tomorrow so I can see how you are doing and whether or not this is getting any worse."
Doctor Tsang (Internal Medicine). He was also very worried about me. He gave a prescription for codeine so I could at least sleep at night and told me the clinic was closed on Sunday but I must be seen the very next morning without fail. He told me again this was serious and could spread to my brain or lungs.
"Try to sleep sitting up if you can so it doesn't drain back towards your brain. We will try to keep you out of the hospital if we can".
September 17th. Motion Picture Hospital out by Topanga canyon. I saw Dr. Spinner, another Internist, she told me no more shots because they were useless, the culture came back positive for MRSA and explained what that was to me. It was sometimes called the SUPER BUG. Yes, it is very dangerous.
We must watch it really close. If it doesn't get better or gets any worse we will have to put you in the Hospital. We would rather not do that because you are safer at home. Your immune system is compromised now and you could catch anything.
She said it was contagious skin to skin only, and I could still see my friends if they didn't touch my face or stick their fingers up my nose. She measured my nose and told me to keep taking the meds and to go again to the clinic in the morning. By now I was really worried and mortified. My nose looked horrible and I felt really sick. I was getting a rash and Dr. Spinner said to continue to take the drugs anyway. It would be too dangerous to stop.
Saw Dr. Weismann(Internal medicine) at the clinic and he said to keep coming to the clinic so the could keep an eye on me and keep taking the medications. My temperature would go up at night to 102 and my nose was still about the same. Every day I went to the clinic for a while and then every 2-3 days.
It wasn't spreading to my brain or lungs yet, but it didn't seem to be any better and I was getting very depressed. I had a rash all over my body except my face, feet, and palms. They said it was a "DRY" rash and was probably from all of the antibiotics. If it turned "wet" I was to call immediately.
September 24th I told Dr. Weissman that there was something up inside of my nose, a bump, or something. He took one look up there and went out to the desk to see if he could get me into a "nose" doctor. I was to go straight to Dr. Namazie at his office to have the abscess lanced and cultured.
The order read CELLULITIS, NOSE WITH RIGHT INTRANASAL ABSCESS, STAT. Dr. Namazies door said he was a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Head and Neck surgeon.
I was confused. Why was I going to a surgeon? He was also an Assistant Professor at UCLA-Diplomate.
He lanced the abscess and renewed my RX for Bactrim and added a drug called Rifampin 2x a day for 10 days and to continue to use the Bactrim ointment at least 2x a day inside and outside of my nose. I told him it was MERSA and he said: "Yes I know".
I had talked with a friend of mine Mr. Williams and he told me that Patrick and his brother John had a new product called the CC Formula that was showing itself to be helping people with terminal diseases and we talked to them at a conference call.
I explained to him my situation and he said he would send me some right away. I read all of the information on the website and signed the consent form. I was desperate. I would try it. September 26th the MODI arrived and I called to get directions on exactly how to use it. I began to use it 5-6 times a day on my nose, face, temples, back of my neck, and under my left armpit. (I had a cyst there the month before I got the MRSA).
I kept a journal. The only side effects I had were some fatigue and dryness in my mouth and my food tasted a little like "metal". Nothing I couldn't deal with. I was starting to have real hope. October 3rd my culture came back "no new growth" I continued to take my medication and use the MODI.
October 11th. I noticed an improvement every day after I started the MODI. My rash was gone, my fever was gone and my nose was less swollen and just pink now instead of bright red and bulbous. Dr. Tsang at the clinic said I was a lucky girl and that he had thought I was going to need reconstructive surgery.
That was why they sent me to Dr. Namazie. All of the Doctors were pleased and amazed at how well and how fast I was healing.
With the permission of the Doctors, and after going to some hot springs one day and soaking for an hour or so my nose just peeled off, almost in one big strip, like a band-aid. A thick piece of skin. Underneath was a babies bottom like softness. It was slightly pinkish and so soft, my whole nose. It was like a brand new nose!
November 6th Dr. Namazie said I looked great and my nose was amazing and soft. It was new skin he said. He was writing in my chart "situation resolved" "If it ever comes back call me immediately and we will begin the treatment again, aggressive and fast." My only regret is that I was too sick, horrified, and vain to take pictures of the ugly mess. I should have done that for others.
December 17th, 2012 I continue to use a tiny bit of MODI every day, twice. I use it in the morning after my shower and before I go to bed at night. Just a tad on my nose and neck and under my left arm. I don't wash it off. I put my makeup on right over it. I'm actually afraid not to use it. I have never been that sick in my life and I've never ever been more grateful. I do believe that MODI saved my nose and possibly my life!
Very Sincerely,
Robin W.
Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California, USA
Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 4:29 PM