Tag Archives: C diff infection support

C diff Infection; I Don’t Want To Feel This Way Anymore

Posted in support by

No one understands the pain, the symptoms related to a C.difficile infection (CDI). The symptoms that cause isolation — either because others are afraid to visit or because you’re tied to the restroom or because the body is exhausted from depletion and the constant fluid shift. No, not many truly understand the pain that a body endures during the treatment for a C difficile infection and the healing process —- YOU are not alone and we do understand. For C.difficile infection information and support call the C Diff Foundation’s hot-line and speak with a information specialist today
1-844-FOR-CDIF (1-844-367-2343)

CdiffDontwantto

A C diff Survivor Shares Her Journey To Help Raise Awareness

Posted in Survivor Experience by

December 2, 2015

Deborah Parsons has shared her C. diff. and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome journey

through a You Tube Video Slide Show created and posted by Deborah.

Deborah has granted the C. diff. Survivors Alliance Network permission to post this video to promote awareness of both diagnosis.

It is a heartbreaking journey, one that no one should have to endure and behalf of the C Diff Foundation we thank Deborah for sharing this video to share with the general public.

Deborah, an active Volunteer Advocate for the C Diff Foundation,  has raised C. diff. awareness through attending and participating at public healthcare events, and through avenues carved by her efforts and participation and we commend her for never giving up and for fighting her way through these catastrophic illnesses.

Thank you Deborah for your video, and forming another way to Raise C. diff. Awareness, along with awareness of  Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, and for sharing your story with the world.

We wish you continued recovery and the best in life always.

Angelo Ortiz, Chairperson Volunteer Advocate Program
C Diff Foundation

…………………………………………………..

Hi there

I’m Deb and I’m trying to raise awareness about living with Recurrent C.diff. Infections and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.

Please help me by sharing my story.
Sincerely,
Deborah Parsons

https://youtu.be/6d6IwGQFltI

 

 

It’s Not All About Twinkle Lights and Bows During the Holidays

Posted in C diff Nationwide Community Support Program, support, Survivor Experience by

After battling a year’s worth of illness and nine rounds of Vancomycin antibiotics to rid the body of recurring C. difficile infections — the holiday season was more of a struggle than a joyous time of the year.

 

 

Without working and knowing what a paycheck looked like after a year how was I supposed to celebrate the holidays with family and friends?  The jewels of diamonds and rubies had been sold to pay for the extreme cost of antibiotics to treat this never ending infection, the IRA’s used to keep a roof over our heads, the 401K used to keep the car in the driveway, and the savings accounts emptied to cover co-pays and medical bills.

Life was not as it used to be with twinkle lights and big red bows.  It was looking more like “brown paper packages tied up with string,” (My favorite things Lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein).That too became a positive vs a negative as the value of life became elevated and not the values in life that we collect.  Realizing that family and friends also valued the little things like fresh baked cookies over gold trinkets purchased at the local jewelers, and the boxes of home-made ornaments I created hung elegantly on their walls and holiday traditions instead of the boxes of store bought items that I never really noticed them enjoying or using over time.   We put too much emphasis on the gifts during the holiday season instead of cherishing the times together.  Share time, create lasting memories, give love, cherish moments, embrace smiles, enjoy the hugs, and never miss the chance of taking a photo to freeze frame it all.

After being referred to Hospice and introduced to their organization it was an absolute wake up call.  It was a call to LIVE ~ a time to kick up the sand and give it all I could give because there was way too much more to do than lay down.  Don’t ever give up ~ don’t accept every deck you are dealt ~ seek other avenues and keep reaching for the stars.  Our thoughts are stronger than we think they are and our beliefs are the strong hold in life.  As the saying goes, “Begin each day with a grateful heart.”

The holiday season is right around the corner and so are you with your talents and strengths.  Keep the anxiety down to a dull roar and try not to fall into the depression of dwelling on the “have-nots” when you have SO much ~ so much to give of you ~ so much to share with others ~ so much to embrace.  YOU are special to SO many and focus on the true meaning of the holidays ~ it is not about the packages, twinkle lights and bows ~ it is about YOU and about what you are in the world ~  You are a gift to others.

Try to have an enjoyable holiday season — through the losses, through the struggles, through the treatments ~ we understand and walk beside you each day ❤  You are not alone  ❤

“None of us can do this alone ~ All of us can do this together”

 

December’s  support sessions are open for registration. Don’t delay

and register for a group today.  Registration is through the C Diff Foundation’s website

http://www.cdifffoundation.org

Cdiff2015CDNCSPostCard

C Diff Foundation Opens a New Avenue – C. diff. Nationwide Community Support Program

Posted in Announcements, C diff Nationwide Community Support Program, support by

CdiffForRelease-1

The C Diff Foundation introduces the                                                                 C. diff. Nationwide Community Support (CDNCS) program beginning in November for patients, families, survivors and for anyone seeking information and support.

C. difficile (C. diff.) infections caused almost half a million infections among patients in the United States in a single year, according to a 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition, an estimated 15,000 deaths are directly attributable to C. difficile infections, making them a substantial cause of infectious disease death in the United States. (See note below [i].)

As of 2015, there is an absence of professional C. diff. (CDI) support groups in America. The                         C Diff Foundation has pioneered a collaborative plan and developed support groups in a variety of availability and locations to meet the needs of individuals seeking C. diff. information and support.

“We found it to be of the utmost importance to implement this new pathway for support and healing after speaking with numerous patients, family members, and fellow-C. diff. survivors,”

The C Diff Foundation now speak for the thousands of patients within the United States who, each year, are diagnosed with a C. diff. infection. This growth, in part, reflects the value C. diff. support groups will provide, not only to patients, their spouses, and families who are living with and recovering from a C. diff. infection, but also to the countless number of individuals who will become more aware of a C. diff. infection, the importance of early detection, appropriate treatments, and environmental safety protocols. There will also be Bereavement support group sessions for  C. diff. survivors mourning the loss of loved ones following their death from C. diff. infection involvement.

Beginning November 2015 the CDNCS groups will be available to all individuals via: Teleconferencing with some groups advancing and adding computer application programs in 2016. CDNCS groups will provide support and information  to 15 participants in each session.

The CDNCS program sessions will be hosted via: Teleconferencing with leaders and fellow C. diff. survivors  from Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, and Oregon.

The Colorado CDNCS group is offered at a public venue and will be hosted in Arvada, Colo. every third Thursday of each month, beginning November 19th. The Meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m lead by a C Diff Foundation Volunteer Advocate and C. diff. survivor  Mr. Roy Poole.

To participate in any CDNCS group being offered during each month, all interested participants will be asked to register through the Nationwide Hot-Line (1-844-FOR-CDIF) or through the  website http://cdifffoundation.org/ where registered individuals will receive a reply e-mail containing support group access information.

  • The Support Registration Page  will be available on November 1st.

The C. diff. Nationwide Community Support group leaders will provide a menu of topics being shared each month on the C Diff Foundation’s website ranging from Financial Crisis Relief, Bereavement, Nutrition, Mental Health, to C. diff. infection updates and everyday life during and after being treated for a prolonged illness. Both Community based sessions and Teleconference sessions will host healthcare profession topic experts

There is evidence that people who attend support group meetings have a better understanding of the illness and their treatment choices. They also tend to experience less anxiety, develop a more positive outlook, and a better ability to cope and adapt to life during and after the treatment for C. diff.

There is a Purpose:

A diagnosis of a C. diff. infection is unexpected and almost always traumatic. As a result, it is not uncommon for newly diagnosed patients to experience a wide range of emotions including, confusion, bewilderment, anger, fear, panic, and denial. Many people find that just having an opportunity to talk with another person, who has experienced the same situation, to help alleviate some of the anxiety and distress they commonly experience.

Individuals also find that they benefit not only from the support they receive, but also from the sense of well-being they gain from helping others. It has been said “support is not something you do for others but rather something you do with others.”

“None of us can do this alone – all of us can do this together.”

Follow the C Diff Foundation on Twitter @cdiffFoundation #cdiff2015 and                                        Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CdiffFoundationRadio.

Note/citation: [i] http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest_threats.html