View allAll Photos Tagged oxycodone
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
Michael's House specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted in beautiful Palm Springs, CA.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
Michael's House specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted in beautiful Palm Springs, CA.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
you see if i could have picked up some oxycodone, vicodins, anabolic steroids, levitra, and zoloft from this dude, i would have. candy makes me fat.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Canyon specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted in beautiful Malibu, CA.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
Michael's House specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted in beautiful Palm Springs, CA.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Canyon specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted in beautiful Malibu, CA.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
Foundations Outpatient specializes in helping those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addiction & abuse, in addition to mental disorders. Our treatment facility is loacted near Atlanta, GA.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
At La Paloma, we specialize in professional help for those struggling with drug, alcohol, and substance addictions, in addition to mental disorders. Our drug rehab facility helps withdrawals & detox. Contact us to learn more about our rehabilitation services.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
In March 2017 I decided to knock a bucket list item out and drive Route 66. Along the way a photographer friend and I were checking out some rather dirty mining communities north of Area 51 in Nevada. On the drive home my nose kept itching and became inflamed. I didn’t think much of it though. I was generally sore from driving thousands of miles and hiking from sun up to sun down during the whole trip.
Oh, did I mention I’m a Type 1 Diabetic? Also that I have a morbid fascination with medical forensics? Well I couldn’t resist documenting my struggle with MRSA.
On April 4th I noticed a pimple growing on my inner left wrist and it popped. It then started itching and getting really red, to the point where I immediately went in to urgent care. The doctor looked at it, said it was an ingrown hair, and sent me off with an antibiotic. I knew she was wrong.
Every day I called the nurse and told her it was getting worse. A week later I sent photos to my doctor, who had me come in right away. The infection on my wrist had grown into a 4x3cm oozing solid mass of itchiness and pain. He said, “that’s really messed up” when he looked at it. A few minutes later he came back and sent me to the hospital down the street.
While there the nurses and doctors, even ones not assigned to me, came to look at the infection. Within a few hours I was in the OR getting it removed. However a week later I needed a skin graft to cover the exposed area due to tissue necrosis. They took a slice of skin from my stomach and stapled the area up.
So after two surgeries I start to feel better. I took some time off of work and spent the days loaded up on Oxycodone (which I hated) and antibiotics. Things started getting better. Until…
May 4th I went in for a follow up examination and it was like any other. Only they forgot to take the staples out of my side and stitches out of my hand. I was too loaded up on Oxycodone and I really didn’t question their judgement. But the stitches and staples were supposed to come out between 10-14 days.
Type 1 Diabetics have a depressed immune system and are at risk for infection. Even more so with wounds that pierce the skin. While things were getting better after the first two surgeries, they soon took turn for the worse.
On May 27 I went in for a checkup and the nurse asked when the stitches and staples were removed. I responded that they were still in. She asked when I had my surgery. I said the 24th. She then asked… “Three days ago?” I responded, “No, April 24.” It was clear she knew an error had been made. After looking at the medical notes in more detail she noticed that I was ALSO a Type 1 Diabetic and audibly gasped.
I cursed like a sailor when every one of those 16 stomach staples came out. On top of that I pointed out that a new pimple, just like the original, was growing on the top of my left wrist. The doctors were very concerned and rightly so. It grew into another massive MRSA infection that required surgery.
Along the way I was also worried about other pimples that appeared on my feet and hands. But these disappeared as I was taking more oral antibiotics. During this time I was also getting daily antibiotic infusions. They took an incredible toll on my right arm. It looked like I was a heroin addict with all the blown infusion insertion attempts. The nurses would not use my left arm until I begged them to one day.
The last infusion though was the roughest and never completed. As a Type 1 Diabetic I have been injecting insulin via syringe for over 20 years. Needles are not something I am afraid of. However upon sight of the infusion needle I muttered to the nurse, “I don’t feel good.”
Over the next 15 minutes two nurses kept my head up straight and applied cold packs to my neck. I could not talk at all for the next few minutes. After a while I was able to say “low blood sugar” and they checked it right away. However, my blood sugar was not low. I was having a somatic response to the sight of the needle. The nurses said I was white as a ghost during that time.
So now the fun part of the backwards American medical system begins. The bills. I’m on the hook for a certain percentage, which in the end amounts to about the same as I spent on my vacation in the first place. I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to have one of the best health plans since I work for UW-Madison. However, it is a huge drag to go through.
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005
The Velvet Mafia at Arlene's Grocery on the Lower East Side of New York City 2005. The Velvet Mafia and Dean Johnson appeared in the 2001 documentary film Freaks Glam Gods and Rockstars ... The NYC Story.
The 46-year-old nightlife icon had consumed a toxic mix of oxycodone and four other prescription pills before he passed away.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 drag queen and paid escort, had traveled to Washington to comfort a friend after a man had died in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose just three days earlier.
Authorities said that man, Jordan Conklin, 26, had died after consuming a lethal combination of alcohol and oxycodone.
The owner of the apartment, Steven Saleh, 47, was not charged in either death.
Dean Johnson's body was found
09/20/2007
Envoy Towers
2400 16th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
The Velvet Mafia
Dean Johnson
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St
New York, NY 10002
212-995-1652
julia@arlenesgrocery.net
Photo
New York City USA
05-03-2005