Construction worker avoids amputation and gets back to work.

“An on the job crush injury to my toe was made worse when a tourniquet was accidentally left on too long. By the time the mistake was corrected, my toe was almost completely black and dying. Everyone was worried that my toe wouldn’t heal and that I would lose it.

The more treatments I had, the more optimistic I became, because my toe was actually looking better and better. It went from completely black and dead-looking, to red, then pink, and then back to having normal skin from top to bottom. My Doctor was really impressed at the healing that was going on due to the oxygen treatment, not to mention, I could start to feel my toe little by little even though I was told by my Doctor that I would not have feeling in my toe for at least 2 years! I started working out again.

I really trusted the crew at Hyperbaric Recovery, because they knew what they were talking about and they were very positive and encouraging. If people ask me if I would recommend Hyperbaric treatments, I would say, ‘Oh Yeah!’ They made me feel like a Rock star at Hyperbaric Recovery!”

~ Charles

School teacher back to work after terrifying compromised surgery.

My name is Marcia. I’m in my mid 50’s, a wife, mother, grandmother and veteran educator. I was very excited to have cosmetic surgery to rejuvenate my tired looking eyes and get rid of the wrinkles that defined my grandmotherly appearance. Basically, I wanted to look as young as I feel inside.

On June 6, 2007, surgery was performed on my brow and cheeks, and also included laser skin resurfacing. Recovery seemed normal the first week after surgery. Then my forehead and temples appeared bright red and were extremely sensitive to the touch. My surgeon ordered a lab analysis of a culture of the tissue on my forehead and the results were positive for a bacterial infection. Although the recovery was normal for the brow and cheek lift, my healing response to the skin resurfacing was greatly compromised.

My surgeon immediately prescribed an antibiotic for the infection. Because my recovery had come to a standstill, he also prescribed H.B.O.T. In fact, as I sat in his examining room, the doctor contacted Hyperbaric Recovery and made an appointment for me that very day, 12 days post-op, and two appointments for the following day. I felt alarmed at the immediacy of this action, thinking my situation was desperate, and frightened about the possibility of very serious complications.

My heart thumped and my head was bowed, hiding my fire-red, swollen face, as I walked into Hyperbaric Recovery. My fear immediately eased as I walked into the spa-like, state of the art clinic, which, in no way, resembled a medical facility. The staff was welcoming and warm, and demonstrated assurance and empathy toward me and my situation.

On that first visit, my face was bright red from the laser resurfacing, and my forehead and temples were a dark, angry red and extremely tender to the touch. Under my eyes, the dark red skin was scabbing, but oozing. After the next three visits, the pain in my forehead and temples lessened, the lesions under my eyes had healed, and flesh-tone marbling began on my cheeks, at my hairline, and around my eyelids, mouth and upper lip. My bright red face had begun to fade to a bright pink.

By the seventh visit, flesh-tone marbling had spread over my face and was beginning to develop on my forehead. My forehead and temples showed no sign of infection and were only moderately sensitive to the touch.

~ Marcia

Grandmother avoids amputation and regains independance.

My name is Maryann,
I am a diabetic and got an infection in one of my toes. The Doctor said it would have to be removed, but by the time they go to it, the second toe got infected, and they both had to be removed due to poor circulation. The wound would not heal. I spent 8 months back and forth from the hospital and rehab. The wound continued to stay open, not healing, and the Doctor finally told me that all of the toes would have to come off, so that the whole top of my foot could be sewn up. I wasn’t taking any chances this time, and I had heard about Hyperbarics from a friend, not to mention my own brother had done treatments and it helped to save his leg from amputation! My treatments have been a God send! My wound has healed magnificently and prevented further amputation of my foot. I’m out of my wheelchair and walking and driving again without anyone’s help! I can now do everything I used to do, even simple things like cleaning my apartment; things I couldn’t do myself while wheelchair-bound. I’m very thankful for my Hyperbaric Treatments! The ones that run the Hyperbaric Center are kind, thoughtful, and know their business! I really recommend the Hyperbaric Treatments to anyone who could get their life back! (Just like I did!)

~ Maryann

Breast Cancer Survivor heals better than anticipated– fools radiologist.

Following my Radiation for a Lumpectomy from Breast Cancer, I suffered a very heavy radiation burn with much swelling. My whole breast and ½ of my chest was very, very hot, dark red, burgundy and almost purple. I suffered a constant, unrelenting burning sensation, could not wear clothes and could not fall asleep due to pain. I also experienced extreme fatigue. I would start a project and would have to lie down.

The scar was raised and painful. It was forming an interior and exterior scar the size of a man’s thumb. Most of the rest my chest was numb and void of sensitivity. Four weeks before starting HBOT, my symptoms worsened. Finally I started treatment at Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery. I could feel things changing: Things were finally cooling down and the sensations of nerve endings joining together began. The purple, burgundy, and red turned to pink, then back to a normal flesh tone.

I started getting feeling back in a good way, and the constant burning was gone. The huge thick scar itself flattened out and became non-existent. Last week my Mammogram Radiology Tech asked me, “You did have surgery, right?!” Because she could NOT find the scar! She was amazed at my healing! I have my energy back and I am so thankful — it was worth it! The staff at Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery on scale from 1-10 is a 10+++! They are caring, informative, and empathetic and really helped me through the process. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for true medical grade Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

~ Margaret

Locally adored teen musician back on her feet and performing for crowds following a life/limb threatening infection.

On Febuary 14th at 2:00am, Tana experienced excessive swelling of her left foot. She proceeded to go into convulsions shortly after infusion of general antibiotic before finally being stabilized with appropriate antibiotics and testing.

It was soon established that she was suffering from an infection in her foot (Cellulitis DT tinea pedis) which had reached a severe stage. She had to begin a rigorous antibiotic program to reduce the swelling and clear out the infection, which in some cases can lead to amputation and even death.

The patient also insisted on getting a prescription for HBOT. Although her Doctor was skeptical, Tana immediately had Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery provide her with research and clinical studies that showed the improvement rate of patients with infection and swelling. Her Physician was convinced and Tana began treatments immediately.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was absolutely necessary for helping clear out infection rapidly and effectively. Swelling and edema were reduced by vasoconstriction, preventing the infection from becoming septic throughout the body. Before and after photos show the swelling and infection completely resolved.

Nurse regains life following Lyme Disease.

I found out a few months ago I have chronic lyme disease along with a few of it’s friends: Babesia and Bartonella. Most likely I got bit as a child and it has been quietly brewing for 20+ years… until a couple of years ago when it exploded through my body. Making it through the day became difficult, and even the easiest tasks seemed insurmountable. My body ached, creaked, and my head felt like mush. My hands and feet were constantly cold, purple and swollen.. and rashes broke out anytime/anywhere on my body. I felt like I was falling apart, and even though I am an RN myself- could not explain what was wrong with me. Thank goodness- with Janine’s intuition and expertise- she encouraged me to get tested.

From the moment I met Janine, I knew that she was born to be a healer. She knew how I was feeling the moment I walked in the door, and knew the right thing to say to comfort me. When I came in for my first treatment and met the rest of the team- I knew I was going to be okay and well taken care of no matter who was in the driver’s seat!
Making sure they had the right episode of “Friends” on for me was important to them! You’ll never find that at the hospital!

My mother drove me everyday for 7 weeks to treatment, and my husband the last week of my 40 treatments. The Center treated my family like theirs, and were always open and willing to explain, reassure and answer any of my and my families questions.

My first treatment felt a little strange- but not uncomfortable at all… It’s a weird light-headed floaty feeling. For the first few weeks after treatment, I would get home after and feel very tired. This was a good sign- my body was using that oxygen and fighting… and using all it’s energy on killing the bacteria and removing the toxins as well as building a better vascular system in my body.

I quickly came to look forward to my treatment, to seeing my friends there, catching up on old tv show and movies, and having my little getaway from the stresses of the world in the Oxygen “Bungalow”.

The Oxygen Effect: Most days I feel like the number of hours I feel “myself” are longer, and my mind is working better, and I’m happier and less emotional. I don’t get out of breath like I did at first, and I’m able to do a little exercise. I’m getting good rest at night and actually look forward to getting up in the morning to start my day! That is HUGE!
At about treatment 30, I feel like my body woke up. Before, my body felt like an old abandoned house: all dusty, creaky, dark, damp and cold. Now I feel like someone moved in, turned on the heat, cleaned it up, uncovered the furniture and painted it with warm colors. That’s the best way to describe it. I thought for a few days that I had a temperature because I just felt “warm” inside. I realized I hadn’t felt what it felt like for my immune system and body to be working- I am feeling what “normal” feels like.

Thank you soo much for bringing me back to life! I continue down my road to recovery with friends by my side, oxygen flowing through my body, and a big warm heart full of love!

Sincerely,
Gayle L. RN