April 2nd, 2008: I'm back...and feeling much better...still have a day left of taking the antibiotic cocktail...but I feel better, was able to run this morning and do some gardening. I do not want to say for sure, but I did drink a cup of my special tea last night, and today I'm fine....it could just be after a over a week of feeling terrible, it was just time for it to come to an end...anyway, I'm ready for work...and I want to thank everyone for their kind words and understanding...it's very much appreciated :) Brian
3.30.2008
My son and I had the same infection. I had it in my arm and he had it in his foot. Doctors were SERIOUS about amputating his foot to stop the rapid spread. It's called CELLULITIS, and it's a very dangerous flesh=eating disease. No wound, no puncture, no sign of entry. And yes, it can enter from dried cracked skin. TAKE THE ANTIBIOTICS!!
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Hi, thanks...and I am taking them. My wife noticed that my son Samuel had a large bump on his neck, I took him to the hospital and they said he has strep and gave him antibiotics...I was sure it was related to what I have, but the doctor said it wasn't. Arm is still very swollen, but I feel no pain nor do I have a fever now...so I'm assuming the cipro is working.
Brian
4.2.2008
Brian,
Hi it's Angie, I have been laying low for a while due to having a stomach bug, but am working in the background, anyway I read that you where sick and this article was on bigpond today, I hope that this is not what you and you son has, it is highly infectious and can be life threatening, if it is I would get a second opinion from another Doctor if I where you. Especially concerning your children!!!
KILLER SUPERBUGS ON THE RISE!!!
http://www.bigpond.com/news/technology/content/20080402/2206455.asp
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Hi, thanks will read this.
Brian
Hi Brian,
Sure hope you feel better soon. The pain meds certainly give me problems whenever I have had to take them. I don't dream much or a just don't remember them, but when I take medications I have all sorts of weird ones. Anyway, thanks for all you do and again take care of yourself.
Shelli
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Thanks Shelli...feeling much better and tomorrow is the last day of taking these medications.
Brian
HI Brian,
I was just watching Dr. Phil (ok, I don't do it often), but it was about an infection called MRSA. When I read that you thought your infection was a spider bite... I remembered that and it's exactly what the Doctors on his show said it begins to look like.
MRSA is a superbug, a staph infection that lives against antibiotics - it has antibodies that are not killed by antibiotics and this bug has killed more than 18,000 in US last year.
Look it up.. It's really dangerous, transmittable, and can rapidly deteriorate the body.
Just a heads up.
Jessica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRSA
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Hi, thanks, will check this out.
Brian
Hi Brian
i have been sending you the same emails just thinking that you were busy or did not get them.
I did not read that you were ill until now or little Samual,whats the chances of that eh! you and your little boy,i hope the both of you are ok.
I think the infection you have is Lymphedema.
Swollen arm(s) or leg(s)
A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the arm or leg Lymped
A tight feeling in a hand or foot
Changes in skin (rough, dry, hardening)
Difficulty moving the arm(s) or leg(s) (less flexible than normal)
The arm(s) or leg(s) may become twice the size as normal
The arm(s) or leg(s) may have large folds of tissue, bumps or creases
Infections or sores that do not heal
Skin that "pits" or remains indented for 5 seconds or longer when you gently push your finger on the swollen arm, hand, leg or foot
You must avoid pressure, infection or any injury to your swollen arm(s) or leg(s)
The "constriction" garments or bandages need to be fitted to you by a trained provider. They only last for about 6 months and you usually will need more than two sets.
Even when the arm(s) or leg(s) that had lymph nodes removed are NOT swollen, you should:
Not have blood pressure taken in that arm or leg.
Your provider can take blood pressure from another body part.
Remind the provider that you have had lymphedema so that s/he understands your concern.
Not get any shots or injections in the arm(s) or leg(s) that had lymph nodes removed or damaged.
Not have blood taken from the arm(s) or leg(s). There is some debate about how safe it is for someone who has never had lymphedema to have blood drawn from the arm(s) or leg(s) that had lymph nodes removed. Ask your provider.
Not wear tight-fitting jewelry, including rings, wristwatches, bracelets or cuff links.
Not wear elastic cuffs or tight sleeves or pants (like sweat pants with elastic cuffs that are tight enough to leave indentations in your ankles).
Not carry anything heavier than 3 pounds (fish, game, groceries, purse, backpacks, suitcases)
Not carry a purse or backpack of any weight that straps and hangs around your arms. Same caution note as in the previous item.
Not carry heavy lances, staffs or other traditional items with the arm that has had any lymphedema in the past or present
Be careful of how you move or use your arm(s) or leg(s)
Brian i think you should ask your docter about Lympedema,remember docters do not always diagnois things right.
All my love Jennifer Devlin xx
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Hi Jennifer, you're correct and thanks...it looks like it's going away.
Brian