Alta man heals slowly after stricken with mysterious disorder, benefit Dec. 5 at SL United Methodist

This Thanksgiving Dennis Spooner and his wife Ruth are extra thankful for life and family. They had a house full for Thanksgiving with about a dozen people coming. It's easy to get busy and take these things for granted, the couple say. On July 30, Dennis, Alta, began experiencing flu like symptoms, and he began shaking. Since he is a diabetic he thought it was low blood sugar so he called his wife.

She brought him a can of pop which usually helps when he has low blood sugar but this time it didn't. She was at a loss of what to do so took him to the ER at BVRMC. He was running a fever of 101 and blood tests showed he had a strep infection in his bloodstream which developed into an infection in his right leg. He would eventually be diagnosed with Necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating disorder - which basically kills whatever it comes in contact with. If not treated right away it could have claimed a limb or his life.

The couple can only guess how he developed the infection and at this point they say they may never know the cause for sure. About two weeks earlier the couple had gone camping in Lake Park. They arrived at the campground late and set-up in the dark. Denny bumped his shin against the trailer. The couple say now they're just praying for continued healing and that the infection doesn't return. "It's been interesting. But you gotta just keep plugging away, can't let it kick your butt," she says.

A benefit chilli and soup supper will be held on Dec. 5 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Donations can also be made at Citizens' Community Credit Union in Storm Lake.

Ruth went from working full-time at BV Manor as housekeeper to being a stay at home caregiver for her husband as he slowly heals from the infection. She is currently on medical leave and is thankful for her co-worker's support throughout the whole ordeal. "Everybody there has been willing to pitch in and help," she says. Dennis drove truck and wonders not only when but if he'll be able to return to work. Surgeries and skin grafting have left Denny lacking basic mobility and now he gets around slowly around with a walker. It's been a slow process healing and he says he figures they've got a long road ahead of them.

Daily tasks requires more time and he's hoping he'll be moving around a little faster when winter hits and the sidewalks are icy. Ruth has had to stay home with him because he has not been stable enough to be home alone. Dressings were changed regularly and now only have to be changed once a day There's not much flexibility and leg and knee are really weak, he says. The couple goes to Storm Lake a couple times a week and although they say it's good exercise for his leg, Denny says its really draining on him. "It's been a process to get out to the vehicle, managing steps and then getting into the vehicle," he says.

An infection in portions of his right leg was treated with antibiotics and then developed an infection in his right calf and ankle that eventually spread to foot and thigh. Once at BVRMC Denny was put on IV antibiotics. He also underwent an ultrasound and MRI to see if there were blood clots. Nothing was found. A disease control specialist from Sioux City was contacted, he suggested another medication but the infection didn't respond to any of the medications. Dennis was rushed to the Iowa City Hospitals on Aug. 5. It was determined he would need surgery to removed the infected tissue. They removed tissue below the infected tissue to make sure the infection was removed. Ruth was still at home packing things up. "(Doctors told me) we'd rather not wait until you get here (to do surgery)," she says.

The surgery took about four and a half hours and doctors said all the infected tissue was successfully removed and that Denny made it through the surgery well. He was put on a ventilator and sedated for five days to keep him relaxed and comfortable while his body began healing. During this time Denny says he is thankful for his family creating a Caring Bridge website, it not only provided updates for family and friends but him as well because there were times that he was heavily sedated and doesn't remember much of what went on.

He would then be transferred to the burn unit for skin grafting they removed skin from his stomach and left leg. The couple jokes he looks a little bit like a zebra now with the skin grafting as a result of skin removed from his stomach. Needless to say he won't be sunbathing for a while, he says with a chuckle.

He would remain in the hospital for a while and then it was arranged to have him undergo intense physical therapy and occupational therapy in Waterloo. Each day he went through three hours of therapy. It was too much for him. He ended up getting a urinary tract infection so was taken back to Iowa City. He returned home and stayed for a period at Sunset Knoll, a nursing home in Aurelia that also offers some rehabilitation. He went back to Iowa City after he developed what he thought was an infection but it turned out to be a pressure sore on his heel. Doctors looked at his leg again he would undergo more surgery to remove the sores.

He was finally able to return home. Buena Vista County Public Health began coming in to check the progress of the healing. However, it was discovered he had contracted another infection. He was able to come home on October 16 and has been home ever since, going back for check-ups now and then. If all goes well he says he shouldn't have to go back for a couple months.

The couple is thankful for everyone's support. "It was so wonderful to read people's comments (on my Caring Bridge site) - that they were thinking of me," he says."At times like this you're really glad you've got the family you've got," she adds. The couple originally lived in Storm Lake until about six years ago when they moved to a rural acreage four miles from Alta.

Their children are Dan and Misty Spooner, Coon Rapids, both BVU graduates. Dan is also a graduate of SLHS; Keara and Tom Cormany, Albert City. Keara is a teacher at Albert City-Trues dale, is a SLHS and BVU grad. Their youngest son Greg Spooner lives in Lake Park with his fiancé Jen.

For more information visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/checkingonden...