DEWELDA'S STORY
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Despite two kidney transplants and medication induced diabetes, Dewilda Brown had never had healing issues. A spider bite on her leg turned from one small wound into three larger ones with pain medications, antibiotics and hospitalization becoming a regular part of her life. Only after a Bay Area podiatrist changed her wound dressings to Enluxtra did she finally begin to heal. |
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Eight months after realizing she had been bitten by a spider, Dewilda Brown was at her wit’s end. No stranger to doctors and complicated procedure, Ms Brown had a kidney transplant at 26. It lasted only 18 months. A second successful transplant brought with it diabetes caused by immunosuppressant medications. Despite an additional medical condition becoming part of her life, healing from surgeries and typical wounds had not been an issue. In May 2013, a spider bite on her shoulder and another on her leg were of little concern. The bite on the shoulder healed, the one on the leg did not, most likely due to circulatory issues caused by the diabetes.
A tiny wound turned into a big wound. Multiple dressings and procedures created a second wound and then a third. She endured typical wound care procedures such as debridement (scraping the wound), skin grafts, and pricey dressings. A job change and lapse in insurance coverage led to mounting medical expenses. Pain became a regular part of her life and she wondered if losing her leg might be preferable. In desperation, in January 2014, she sought out Bay Area Podiatrist Alex Reyzelman who was conducting a study on a topical ointment. When he explained to her she wasn’t a good candidate for the study due to prednisone and immunosuppressant drugs, Dewilda broke down in tears. He then told her about a new “smart” dressing that would keep the moist areas moist and, if there’s no moisture needed, the dry areas dry. Dr. Reyzelman explained that Enluxtra would adapt to changing wound conditions allowing her body to heal itself. What’s more, the pain that was such a constant in her life would all but be eliminated. Enluxtra allowed Dr. Reyzelman to utilize a skin graft that was previously unsuccessful. After removing excess moisture, the grafts finally took and the wounds began to reduce in size. Rather than creating new wounds, Enluxtra promoted healing and eliminated the pain associated with infection and dressing changes. Her existing medical conditions notwithstanding, Dewilda’s body was finally able to heal itself. Today, despite various setbacks in her overall health, only a small unhealed area on the infected leg remains. She remains pain free from her wounds and is looking forward to a complete healing and a return to a normal life. |
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*All stories and photos are published with expressed agreement of the patients.
