More Than Just An Itch
Skilled wound care team at Bayshore cures life-threatening condition

A common case of poison ivy while vacationing led Cliffwood Beach resident Fred Sona on a painful odyssey last summer. Scratching led to an open wound, which turned into a stubborn case of cellulitis, a common but potentially serious bacterial infection. Cellulitis may affect underlying tissue, spreading to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. Left untreated, the infection can rapidly turn life-threatening.

The pain led Fred to visit the emergency department of a local Virginia hospital where he was vacationing. Despite treatment, the wound continued to fester. As a week went by, Fred’s leg became swollen, hot to the touch, and red from foot to knee. Fred went to the emergency department at a local hospital where he was admitted for five days and received antibiotics and pain medications intravenously. Returning home to New Jersey, Mr. Sona thought his leg was healed until the wound reopened, still infected.

Fred made an appointment with his regular physician, Vincent J. Cantanese, MD, a board-certified internist in Holmdel. "Dr. Cantanese said he wanted me to go to the Wound Care Center® at Bayshore Community Hospital. He said the wound had been recurring for too long, and I needed to get special care to make sure the wound healed once and for all."

Fred was amazed at the care and attention he received at the Wound Care Center®. “It was the best treatment I’ve had in my life,” recalls Fred. "They gave me a thorough exam, scanning my leg to see if my circulation had been affected. They dressed the wound and gave me new antibiotics. They also gave me new medications to help promote healing, and showed me how to properly clean the wound at home. I came back for two more visits and they cleaned, examined and redressed my leg each time. At the final visit, they rang a bell and gave me a healing certificate as part of the completion celebration marking the conclusion of my treatment. They were as happy as I was that my wound had finally and completely healed!"

Treatment at the Wound Care Center® is lead by Asaad Samra, MD, a board-certified surgeon, with a team that includes infectious disease specialists, nurses, and nutritionists, all with advanced training in wound care management.

Sharon Montor, DPM, is the podiatrist who treated Fred’s wound. "Mr. Sona came in feeling extremely frustrated because his wound was still not healed, even after previous treatment. We healed his wound successfully, and he left extremely appreciative and pleased with his results," says Dr. Montor. "Outcomes like Mr. Sona’s are our goal at the Wound Care Center®. We treat the whole person, not just their wound. We want our patients to understand what’s happening in their treatment process, and we want them to leave feeling very satisfied with their care."

Today Fred remains grateful to Dr. Montor and the staff. "They went out of their way with kindness to care for me," he says.

To learn more about the Bayshore Wound Care Center®, call 732-497-1611.

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