Brooklyn, NY – A grateful Rabbi Mendel Hecht of Brooklyn gave thanks to HaShem and the doctors at NYU Langone Medical Center for saving his 15-year-old son, Alex, from a flesh-eating bacteria which had invaded his left leg and was literally draining the very life from his body.
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NBC 4 New York reports (http://bit.ly/QXeDj1 ) that Alex remembers little of his four-week hospitalization and ordeal. “My mind was working but I was like paralyzed,” said Alex Hecht. “I was still knocked out so it was a little scary cuz I stopped breathing slowly.”
Alex’s father, Mendel, said Alex went into septic shock and was placed on life support. His lungs, liver, and kidney collapsed and his entire body was infected. Alex’s vitals and body signs were completely deteriorating. Rabbi Hecht said, “The doctors were saying ‘we don’t know if he’s going to make this and you’ve got to mobilize for the worst.'” But his father said he found strength and support in the many prayers and good deeds offered in Alex’s name.
He also found solace in communicating with another father whose son is battling the same potentially fatal flesh-eating disease. Ralph Lettieri, 26, a volunteer firefighter, is still hospitalized at the Nassau University Medical Center. Both Ralph and Alex have undergone multiple surgeries.
Rabbi Hecht said he prays the Lettieri family will soon be able to take their son home as well.
View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.
REFUAH SHELEIMA bekarov mamash.
It seems like we have been hearing many cases of this flesh eating bacteria lately. I recall at least 2 women who were affected in the spring time, down south.
BH. Its nice hearing recovery stories as well. Its not helpful to read about every tragedy that happens. It justs serves to desensitize us.
This shows the power of tefila (prayer)
mazal tov and baruch Hashem. Alex, you should always have great news to report.
Alex I am thrilled to hear about your recovery and may you have a refuah sheleimah. I am also happy that you don’t remember much about your ordeal and I hope it stays that way. There is no point in reliving the nightmare nor the pain, you suffered enough the first time around, may you never know that kind of suffering again. And may your recovery be a good sign towards a full and speedy recovery for Ralph Lettieri, my heart and prayers go out to him as well. No one should suffer this horrific disease.
What precautions if any can one take to not get infected with flesh eating diseases?
If you get a cut, watch it very carefully for any sign of infection, especially if you have a known medical condition. We just went through a frightening incident with MRSA, which B”H had a satisfactory conclusion. At first, it looked like nothing major, and we were lucky to have a hypocondriac in the family so that it ended up being taken care before it got out of control. Don’t be afraid to wash vigorously, thoroughly and often, use bacitracin, and cover up cuts so that infection has no doorway in.