Dad's Road to Recovery - The First 2 Weeks

Hello Everyone,

By now, most of you know that our dad has been in Joseph Brant Hospital with a severe infection throughout his body.

It all started two weeks ago when he began experiencing neck pain and could only find relief by lying in a recliner. He visited an osteopath, who attempted some gentle movements but was visibly concerned. She stopped the treatment and referred him to his family doctor. The doctor ordered an X-ray and advised him to take Robaxacet and Tylenol. Unfortunately, this provided little relief. He was later prescribed a muscle relaxant, but it made him extremely loopy and was quickly discontinued.

After another visit to the osteopath, his mobility seemed to improve, and we thought he was turning a corner.

Last Sunday, we noticed a red spot on his foot, which by Tuesday had grown larger and began to swell. He returned to the family doctor, who diagnosed him with gout and said it was unrelated to his neck pain. He was prescribed medication for gout and sent home. That night, he developed a high fever, which we assumed was a symptom of the gout. Thankfully, Tylenol brought it down.

At this point, Dad's breathing became irregular while he slept. We weren’t sure if it was a reaction to the medication or something more serious. The next morning, Mom called the doctor, who now suspected cellulitis instead of gout. He was asked to come in again that evening. The doctor diagnosed him with a severe viral infection and prescribed antibiotics for his foot, along with anti-inflammatory medication.

Thursday night, Dad seemed to be resting better—until about 1 a.m., when things took a turn for the worse. Mom called 911, and paramedics determined he needed to go to the hospital.

After hours on a stretcher in the ER, he was finally placed in a small room, where he was put on IV antibiotics immediately. He was tested for sepsis and other conditions. His CRP level was 300 (normal is below 2), indicating severe inflammation and infection. His white blood cell count was high and oxygen levels were low, further confirming an infection.

While the antibiotics seemed to be helping, the head of Internal Medicine was brought in for further evaluation. After a series of questions, he informed us that Dad would be hospitalized for several days, as the sepsis test results would take time. At this stage, Dad was extremely weak, had lost his voice, and was unable to move due to pain and stiffness. He underwent X-rays, ultrasounds on his neck, shoulders, and foot, as well as multiple blood and urine tests. Doctors were puzzled by his condition and even referred to it as a "medical mystery"—a challenge that some found intriguing.

By Friday night, Dad was moved to the rehabilitation inpatient unit. An ENT specialist examined his nose and throat, inserting a camera down his throat (which he did not enjoy). They discovered an abscess, indicating that the infection had spread beyond his foot. While they planned to monitor it closely, surgery was a possibility.

On Saturday, we received confirmation that Dad had a staph infection, explaining the extreme inflammation and the throat abscess. His antibiotics were constantly being adjusted to find the most effective treatment. 

Sunday morning, he underwent an MRI to check if the infection had reached the bones in his neck and spine. By Sunday afternoon, we were told that Dad would be transferred to Hamilton General for a consultation with a spinal specialist. The MRI showed that the infection had indeed spread to the bone at the top of his spine. The spinal doctor presented two options:

1. Surgery – Remove the infected bone and replace it with rods and screws, resulting in permanent loss of neck mobility (no nodding or turning). This would be a proactive approach, but given the severity of his infection, opening him up carried a significant risk of further spread.
2. Continue with antibiotics – Since they were already proving effective, this option allowed for continued treatment without invasive surgery.

Mom and Dad opted for the antibiotics, and the doctor agreed, provided that no neurological symptoms develop. To help prevent further complications, Dad is now wearing a neck brace to stabilize his neck and spine. This will help keep the inflammation under control and prevent the infection from spreading any further.

Over the next two weeks, Dad will undergo more tests to monitor the infection’s progress. He will also follow up with the spinal doctor to determine whether surgery is still necessary.

By Tuesday afternoon, we received an update: the infection had also spread to his middle and lower back. His culture for sepsis also came back as positive. However, the good news was that the antibiotics were working, and his inflammation had decreased significantly. His voice had returned to normal, he was eating again, and he even managed to move himself up in bed—making Mom very happy! The ENT specialist also reported that the abscess in his throat might not be infected after all and did not require surgery at this time. They will continue to monitor it while the antibiotics do their job.

As of today, Dad has been doing well! He was up and sitting in the visitor chair, and he even walked the halls with the physical therapy team. His spirits are much better, too.

However, just as things were looking up, Mom called with an update—his MRI showed a large abscess pressing against his lower spine at L2. So, it's back to Hamilton General. We’re not sure yet if it will be a transfer or just another appointment, but we know that he’s not out of the woods just yet. Even though this latest news wasn’t what we were hoping for, we are holding onto faith that God is still in control. He has brought Dad this far, and we trust that He will continue to strengthen him and guide the doctors in the next steps. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support—we truly believe they are making a difference.

Through all of this, we have seen God’s hand at work in so many ways. From leading Dad to the right doctors to guiding each decision, it is clear that He is working through the medical team to bring healing. The doctors themselves are amazed by Dad’s progress, saying his case does not follow the typical patterns of a staph infection and nothing about it has been textbook. Despite battling a life-threatening disease, he continues to defy the odds. We know this is God’s grace and healing power at work!

More updates to follow.

Thanks,

-The Hordyk Girls