Originally published Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Infection nearly kills Kennewick man; friends, family help
Paul Kelly lost his left forearm and part of his leg to an invasive strep infection last month, and friends, family and co-workers are coming...
Tri-City Herald
KENNEWICK — Paul Kelly lost his left forearm and part of his leg to an invasive strep infection last month, and friends, family and co-workers are coming together to help the Kennewick man and his family.
The Tri-City native and Bechtel engineer was airlifted March 16 from Richland's Kadlec Medical Center to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, suffering from what turned out to be necrotizing fasciitis — also known as flesh-eating bacteria.
"He was very, very near death." said Jennifer Franco, Kelly's sister-in-law.
Doctors amputated his left forearm March 21 and have removed much of the muscle in one of his calves, Franco said.
Kelly's prognosis is good, Franco said. He was taken off his respirator March 28, moved out of the intensive-care unit Monday, and was awake and alert Wednesday. But Franco said Kelly still undergoes frequent minor surgeries to stop any more bacteria from spreading.
It's unclear how Kelly got the infection, Franco said.
Kelly and his wife, Marie, a fitness instructor, will have to stay in Seattle for several more weeks, if not longer, Marie's sister said.
In the meantime, friends, family, co-workers and community members are trying to raise money for the family and care for their three children, 5-year-old Daniel, 11-year-old Brian and 15-year-old Catherine.
More than 600 Bechtel employees turned out for a spaghetti feed in his honor last week.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
The People's Pharmacy: Solutions for painful breast-feeding
H1N1 vaccine-production method faulted
10 ways to take control of your health

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- UCLA game thread
940 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
336 - U.S. House passes health plan
316 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
229 - Decision day for health care in the House
207 - Grading the game
145 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
134 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
108 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
74 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
72
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- How do innovators think?
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall





