Memoir
Date Published: February 14, 2026
Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is a powerful and deeply personal medical memoir that chronicles the extraordinary survival of physician Craig H. Collison, M.D., who, at the height of his medical training, was suddenly struck by a devastating case of necrotizing fasciitis-commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria."
Told through the rare dual lens of doctor and patient, this gripping narrative offers a day-by-day account of emergency surgeries, intensive care, organ failure, and prolonged rehabilitation.
Interwoven throughout the story are intimate bedside journal entries written by Collison's wife, family, and friends-capturing raw fear, unwavering love, and the strength of a community united by hope.
Beyond the medical drama, Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit is a testimony to faith, perseverance, and the indomitable human spirit. Biblical reflections accompany the journey, offering spiritual insight and comfort during moments of despair and uncertainty. The book also includes a patient- and family-focused appendix, making it both a compelling memoir and a meaningful resource for those navigating critical illness.
To deal with the problem of my large skin defects, Drs. Fratianne and Yowler made the decision to use pig skin to cover these areas, with two goals in mind. First, it would act as a barrier for infection, even if only temporarily, and secondly, it would give the doctors an idea if my body was to the point to be able to accept skin grafts from my own healthy skin. The pig skin was put in place with staples in the operating room.
Unfortunately, this first application was only about fifty
percent successful. The pig skin graft failed to take at all on my back, while
it did take on several areas of my front. The pig skin that didn’t take was
removed or fell off. With the emotional roller coaster that everyone was
riding, this setback was very disheartening for my family. As each hurdle
during my illness approached, the anticipation heightened with the stakes. My
failure to overcome any of these hurdles could result in complications and
ultimately my death, so setbacks of any type were hard to take. The failure of
the first pig skin application was a clear sign that I wasn’t ready for my
actual skin-grafting. My family knew that I had a small window of time to get
grafted, so while this failure wasn’t fatal, the clock was ticking and everyone
knew it. The defects needed to be closed before infections of my wounds became
overwhelming.
Journal Entry - 5/8/00
Yesterday looked very promising - no fever, all other vitals
real good and the nurse said what she could see of the pig skin looked real
good. But today my heart is heavy for you again. I haven’t cried in a few days
(much at least), but today it all feels like draining out. I still have to keep
the faith and hope that this is just a delay and you and the Lord will prevail!
Some days are easier than others (you’re well = I’m well and vice-versa). Today
Dr. Yowler looked at your pig skin grafts and we had half and half news.
Your back didn’t take at all, but 85% of the front did. Of
course, I always hope for things to work out perfectly, and then I get reminded
that it is not an easy road we are traveling here there are many bumps on the
way. They did say that there is also a fungus on your back, so will be treating
you with Nystatin cream beginning tomorrow. They also hope to get you weaned
off the vent by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. I would feel better with
that endotracheal tube out of you to decrease the chance of infection.
As a bonus, you would be happier and then you could talk to
us as well. Oh, one day at a time.
I hope you don’t find this silly or boring to read later, it
just is an easier way to remember each day (for you later) and it is the only
way I can “tell” you my feelings now. I do tell you verbally - I talk with you,
pray with you, play CDs for you and touch your arms, hands, face and hair
daily, hoping subconsciously you can feel me here with you. Oh, how I do miss
you baby and just pray so hard each day - many, many times that this will all
continue to go in a positive direction and we will enjoy one another again and
the many dreams in life ahead of us. God is good, I know that, and I know that
he is in control of all of this and holds you each day (wish I could!) in his
loving arms.
Well, I am going to go back in now and sit with you some
more since that is what I am here to do. Love you babe, with all I am and have!
M-
Craig H. Collison, MD grew up in central Pennsylvania, graduating from State College High School. He earned an engineering degree from Penn State University and went on to medical school at Wake Forest University. He then did his Pediatrics training at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, part of Case Western Reserve University. In the last months of his residency training, he had a surgery to remove a lipoma that got super-infected, causing necrotizing fasciitis and myositis (flesh-eating bacteria). The book "Tattered Flesh, Resilient Spirit" chronicles this illness and how faith in God and an incredible health team helped Craig and his family through the most difficult challenge of his life.
After many months in the hospital, he and his family then returned home to central Pennsylvania to work as a general Pediatrician with Centre Medical and Surgical Associates and Mount Nittany Medical Center, now combined as the Mount Nittany Health System. He lives with his wife, Michelle, his children, Taylor, Chase, Caroline and Lydia, and their dogs, Penny and Josie, in “The Simon Pickel House.” This 1833 stone house resides in the small village of Madisonburg, part of the Penns Valley area. He recently moved his practice to Mount Nittany Physician Group - Penns Valley to be closer to home and really take care of children in the Penns Valley area. His interests outside work include football, volleyball, golf, playing guitar and, most importantly, being an involved husband and dad.
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