Evolving Survivor: Wound Care From the Patient's Perspective

Having survived flesh eating bacteria, septic episodes, and pulmonary embolisms, one patient discusses his experience as an "evolving survivor," explaining how hyperbaric oxygen therapy and integrative care helped him. For a related article, click here.

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Wes Irvin has undergone more than 60 surgeries, survived flesh eating bacteria septic episodes and pulmonary embolisms, and describes himself as an “evolving survivor.”

In describing his experience, Irvin feels the term “evolving survivor” describes his decade of medical care, physical and mental, and his process of re-emerging and redeveloping physically. He describes challenges with pain management, the scarring that covers of majority of his body now and his emotional well-being.  

“I just feel like I've evolved as a human being, but also as a patient and a survivor as well,” says Irvin. “It's an ongoing process after what's been a decade of trouble.”

In 2012 Irvin received emergent care for Meckel’s diverticulum, a rare congenital condition. Surgery was successful but a week later, doctors found he had a very aggressive flesh-eating bacteria. Irvin was taken to a trauma center where he underwent multiple debridements of all eight layers of his abdominal wall.

Irvin also had successful treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). He says HBOT has “saved (him) multiple times over the years,” estimating he has had nearly 100 emergent treatments.

Although Irvin had no underlying issues, in the podcast, he describes issues that went overlooked in his initial treatment and says he is still dealing with those issues a decade later. These include septic episodes that his caregivers call “very alarming,” equating this to a traumatic response from the body. Irvin calls for a greater continuity of care for patients in the health care system.

Irvin also notes how integrative medicine has helped him. He describes his experience with acupuncture, cranial therapy, lymph drainage and other integrative methods. The Cleveland Clinic helped Irvin with reiki, art and music during his multi-week stays.

Noting the benefits he has derived from HBOT, Irvin advocates more access to hyperbaric oxygen for veterans. He describes the bureaucratic barriers veterans face in getting access to HBOT.

“We owe it to our veterans to give them this modality and emergent therapeutic,” says Irvin. “It is life-saving. It has changed my life, and I still need it.”