KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Piercings are all the rage these days -- from the stars to young local teens -- and, while any doctor will tell you it's important to have a professional with sterilized equipment do the job, that doesn't always happen.

With a split-second decision, Zeke Wheeler went from giving it all on the wrestling mat and enjoying his young life to fighting his toughest battle ever at Children's Mercy.

"I don't think things through," Wheeler said.

About six weeks ago, Zeke and his mother were both home with the flu, when the 15-year-old got an idea to break up the monotony of the day.

Without his mother's knowledge, he tried to pierce his own lip, but couldn't get the bar-bell all the way through.

"He went into the medicine cabinet, got a needle and stuck it the rest of the way through without the needle being sterilized, of course," said Jill Hanlin, his mother.

Within days, Zeke became increasingly achy and developed sores on his feet and hands.

"And I woke up the next morning, and it wasn’t like I was paralyzed, but it was painful to move anything," Zeke said.

Doctors determined a staph infection had set in and spread the MRSA bacteria through his bloodstream.

No one knew if he would make it or in what condition, but after the six blood transfusions and five knee and hip surgeries, he is back home.

"It's just a tremendous relief all the way around," Hanlin said.

He doesn't remember much about the last few weeks, but the bump on his lip and his surgery scars are grim reminders of his mistake. Not to mention, he won't be able to do many of the things he used to, at least for now.

As he enters is sophomore year at Blue Springs High School, he can't play the sports or enjoy the stamina he used to have. Even a short walk now wears him out.

"I get tired real fast, and I'll come home and go to sleep, wake up and my legs are sore," Zeke said.

And, while those scars will heal, Zeke will never forget this lifelong lesson. The MRSA bacteria is still corroded around his heart valve and he will forever have to watch for signs that it has broken free and spread through his joints again.