Western slope man catches flesh-eating bacteria

A rare but serious disease has hit the Western Slope. We’ve all heard the horror stories from across the country over the years, but now, a case of flesh-eating bacteria is hitting close to home.   

As if suffering a dirt bike accident a month ago wasn't enough, the recovery for Ricky Graham has become much more complicated.

Graham took that hard fall and ended up with wood debris embedded in his left arm. Doctors in Delta County were not able to clear it all out, leading to an infection.   

The infection began eating away at flesh and muscle, and the doctors could not keep up.

Now, Graham has been transferred to Colorado University Hospital in Denver. 

The infection was so aggressive... they were forced to amputate one of his arms.  

One of his daughters, Tabitha Lightner, says the whole ordeal has been devastating for her family.

“Even if the infection stopped, all the cutting we're doing is breaking him down and there's just no way,” Lightner said. “We were just all in shock and they prepared us to go in and for him not to be around anymore.”

Lightner says the family can barely afford to make it to Denver for her father's treatment, but it was the only option her uninsured father had at survival.

He's already been through several hours of surgery and doctors say his feet may be the next to be amputated.  

His family says Graham is a very outgoing person and loves to be outdoors. He is know for cracking jokes in the family and making people laugh.