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The nightmare continues. . .

CottonKing

Shared on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:17

Probably none of you want to hear about my medical issues, but I need a place to get some of this out and this is going to be it. 

October 2006: I was diagnosed with Valley Fever, caused by a  nasty fungus that has been even studied by the military for use as a biological weapon.  I was miserable for months, but eventually the Fluconazole  started working and I felt better.
April 2007: my doctor feels I am strong enough and healthy enough to stop the Fluconazole  (big mistake) even though most severe cases need the medicine for 1 year.

So I stopped . . .

March 2008: a lump in my arm starts growing and is painful. Finally it needs to be cut open to relieve the pressure and remove the infection. Pus and fluid come out and some is taken to be cultured. A "filamentous fungus" is found in the culture. I don't have a positive id yet, but odds are very high that it is Valley Fever . . .what the hell else could it be?  So the doctor closes the gaping hole in my arm and doesn't put in a drain.  A couple of days later it is swollen again and yesterday they slice me open again.  This time they just pack the big hole in my arm with gauze and send me home.  Here is the G rated pic, scroll down if you want the real deal.

So back on the Fluconazole (antifungal medicine) and in to more tests. This medicine is nasty on the liver and I will have to be on it for a year and guess what else?  NO DRINKING while on the meds!!!  No drinks for a year!  Woohoo! 

The Doctors are not calling me back and I feel like shit. The old tightness in my neck and paleness in my face has returned. I can't believe this is happening. Three little boys and a wife who is organizing an auction (that is this weekend)  for the boys' school . . .the timing of this sucks big time.

"Rest" they say, "Rest". How the hell can I rest? I need blood work done and tests run, I need to help my wife, I need to be with my kids, I need to work . . . etc etc. I know this could be really serious, but what do I do? This is so miserable, yet I know I should be thankful that it is not something even worse (being in the emergency room yesterday showed me that).  Wish me luck and if you pray, say one for me.
Don't scroll down unless you don't mind some gore.  Yes that is a large hole packed with gauze in my arm!

Comments

TDrag27's picture
Submitted by TDrag27 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 16:42
Cotton - Sorry to hear about the health problems. I hope everything clears up quickly and you're recovering soon. But until then, don't feel bad resting.
Flywalker's picture
Submitted by Flywalker on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 19:11
dude that is totally f***ed up,,, Well like my daddy always used to tell me "it will feel better when it quits hurting" keep me up to date,, we farmers have to stick together.
h8z_u_all's picture
Submitted by h8z_u_all on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 19:35
Get better bud, you will be in our box of wine errr thoughts... :)
meemoos's picture
Submitted by meemoos on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 20:01
Sorry for your bad luck!!! Sweeeeeeeet pics----More pleeeze!!!
CottonKing's picture
Submitted by CottonKing on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 21:44
Thank you all for the support, I feel better tonight than when I wrote the blog. It has been a lot to take, but I will get through it. Now I need to get on the Xbox and forget about some of this shit and kill some people. See you online. . . if my connection holds up
Jedi_Kez's picture
Submitted by Jedi_Kez on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 10:09
Dude, sorry to hear about your medical problems :( I hope you get better soon, hang in there and keep a positive attitude! As ol' Jedi Kez always says, if life kicks you in the balls, you choke them back down and look life straight in the eye and say: "Is that all you got? It'll take more than that to keep this good man down!"
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:21
dude: that is teh suck for sure! not sure what else to say. But re: your previous blog: my Granddaddy sold John Deere for YEARS in Canada! We have a John Deere ABC book for my daughter... woot! Yea: it's hard to relax, but your health is #1. I am sure your wife and kids will do okay without you for a little while, but if you get REALLY sick, well then they will be without you for much longer. Get better!
MikeTheKnife's picture
Submitted by MikeTheKnife on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:27
You should see if the hospital has some gauze with an eye drawn on it--the wound looks a bit like an eye, and how awesome would it be to creep people out like that?
Baine's picture
Submitted by Baine on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:29
Yeah you need to sadly let that heal from the inside out, or you will just get a new pocket of infection. On a side note, from the avatar pic an dmy PC resolution, you look like you have hair like Larry from the 3-stoges. Thanks for that, I needed the chuckle. Best way to keep that dry is to wrap it with cellophane and then run tape around the edges, use surgical tape. That way it will stay dry when you shower.
Lusetti67's picture
Submitted by Lusetti67 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:50
Cotton no wonder you have not been joining us lately you have been so sick. Get better bro. Was the fever from a tic ? Prayers go out to you and your family . Take your meds and take it easy Im sure your wife understands you lack of participation with the Auction. The Dr. told me 3 month no drinks I cant imagine a year. Hang in there bro!
Durty's picture
Submitted by Durty on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:52
Good god man....that is a nasty looking vagina you have on your arm there. Gross!!
SoupNazzi's picture
Submitted by SoupNazzi on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 13:57
Dude... short-term disability? If the doc says rest, then that'd be an option I'd explore. Health and family first.
CottonKing's picture
Submitted by CottonKing on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:02
@ Baine I was a bit heavier in that pic and could have pulled off the Larry bit: Hey Mo! Nyuck, Nyuck, Nyuck, @ Lusetti: sorry for not getting in some of the games lately, lots has been going on. I will sit down and play for a minute or two, but I don't get any long sessions in right now. I leave it on sometimes and just sneak a bit of playing in. I will be back. The fungus is in the dirt up here and gets in the air when the wind blows. Most people don't get sick, but then again I'm not most people.
dkhodz's picture
Submitted by dkhodz on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:19
bummer dude. take care of yourself.
millfire517's picture
Submitted by millfire517 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:48
wow now thats something u dont see everyday. man i hope you get better
FatalPoison's picture
Submitted by FatalPoison on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 14:53
Get better Cotton, and make sure you rest.....I am sure your wife and kids would rather have you participate a little less than not have you around at all!! I will pray for ya!
Caesar's picture
Submitted by Caesar on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:04
shit man, hope you get better that looks f'd up
dos's picture
Submitted by dos on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:12
Hey Cotton, I hope you get that sorted soon. If it feels as nasty as it looks, I'm sure you're ready for it all to end. Wound care can be a bitch. We'll leave the light on for ya.
nae's picture
Submitted by nae on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:39
Thats it cotton!! Im coming down... I'll drink the box of wine, you can have your silly dr.pepper lmao You need a Meaty type a HUG!!!! ASAP We will keep you in our thoughts. That feeling of just to damn overwhelmed will pass. Your wifey is a strong woman... I say this cause she married you!!!! :) so I wouldn't be concerned and your kiddo's would rather daddy on rest for weeks.. vs no daddy!!!!!! so relax... rest ... and please continue to blog so we all know whats going on!!!!
Lusetti67's picture
Submitted by Lusetti67 on Mon, 03/31/2008 - 15:45
@ Lusetti: sorry for not getting in some of the games lately, lots has been going on. I will sit down and play for a minute or two, but I don't get any long sessions in right now. I leave it on sometimes and just sneak a bit of playing in. I will be back. The fungus is in the dirt up here and gets in the air when the wind blows. Most people don't get sick, but then again I'm not most people. No worries Cotton take care of yourself. I got lime disease and falley fever mixed up. Its Gears Monday ! will be on tonight if you are interested. : )

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