Bernice (Bunny)'s Story

“During treatment, she would breathe 100 percent oxygen while inside a treatment chamber at a pressure higher than sea level pressure. He told her that if the treatment was unsuccessful, amputation could be the next option.”

Wound Center Helps Bernice (Bunny) Noble Avoid Amputation

When Bernice (Bunny) Noble fell on the ice in February 2010, she broke her ankle and needed surgery to repair it. Bunny developed an infection, which eventually spread to the bone. For the next two years, she was on numerous rounds of antibiotics, but nothing seemed to help.

Walt Ellis, DPM, Bunny’s podiatrist, sent her to the CentraCare Wound Center in St. Cloud where she received hyperbaric oxygen treatment. During treatment, she would breathe 100 percent oxygen while inside a treatment chamber at a pressure higher than sea level pressure. He told her that if the treatment was unsuccessful, amputation could be the next option. “Needless to say, I was quite upset and scared,” Bunny said.

By October 2012, after 60 hour-and-a-half treatments, Bunny’s infection was gone and her wound healed. “The staff at the Wound Center became like family to me,” she said. “I can’t say enough about how well they treated my husband and me.

Every one of them was so positive. They always had a smile — you could tell they really cared. It was like they were going through it with me. Every improvement I made was a celebration and they got just as excited as me.”

“We are so fortunate to have a wound center right here in St. Cloud,” Bunny said. “I have met people from as far away as Duluth and Fargo who receive their care here. I am hopeful that soon I will be out walking and able to participate in life again.”