NEDERLAND, Texas — After 16 days in the hospital battling a flesh-eating bacterium, a Nederland man is now recovering at home.
Wayne Speyrer's arm and leg were both infected by the bacteria, and he says he was exposed to it while visiting Sea Rim State Park.
"(It's) very scary. I've been going to the beach all my life," said Speyrer.
The 65-year-old Nederland resident picked up the unexpected passenger during an otherwise uneventful day at the beach on Saturday, April 20.
"I picked up a bamboo stick and it was full of water, and it cut my arm and my leg when it broke," said Speyrer. "I didn't really even get in the water. I rinsed a couple of shells with my hands and there's nothing on my hands."
A large lump showed up on his arm the next day, which he thought was a bug bite.
"It grew big. I mean, it grows fast," said Speyrer.
He spent the night at the Christus ER in Port Arthur, but after his condition worsened he was immediately rushed to Christus St. Elizabeth's in Beaumont.
"Fever, chills, throwing up, right to the operating room," said Speyrer.
Doctors believe that Speyrer was infected by infected with Vibrio Vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium typically found in warm seawater.
While the bacteria usually enters the body through undercooked seafood, it can infect an open wound that comes into contact with seawater.
Speyrer says that the doctors were shocked by the discovery.
Tuesday evening Speyrer was discharged from the hospital after almost 17 days.
"I have to go every day to a wound care system at St. Elizabeth's. I don't know how long," said Speyrer.
He says he feels fortunate that the outcome was not worse.
"Freaky, I picked up the wrong dang stick. Be safe at the beach and if you feel something, go to the doctor fast," Speyrer said.
Martha Simien with port Arthur Public Health says they are investigating the infection. They're waiting on lab reports to confirm that Speyrer had a Vibrio infection.