TULAREMIA

Strange word, strange disease. Years ago I raised rabbits in theory as a food source till it occurred to me that you had to kill them in order to eat them. DUH. You know my soft heart so you can see where that went. Anyway, at that time, the word tularemia was introduced to me. Tame rabbits do not carry this disease which is also called “rabbit fever.”

According to the Mayo Clinic web site, “ Tularemia is a rare infectious disease that can attack the skin, eyes and lungs. Tularemia spreads to humans through several routes, including insect bites and direct exposure to an infected animal. Highly contagious and potentially fatal if not treated, tularemia usually can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early.”

Why do I bring this up? A friend has contracted this rare disease. It is thought she got it from a tick she removed from her dog. The tick popped on removal and she got the blood on her hands. Her dog also contracted the disease and is under treatment.

She is known in the blogging world as Jewels but has quit blogging as she concentrated on her pottery. That is a shame for she posted a lovely blog. She is also a core member of my cancer support group and I consider a good friend.

Jewels just went through a grueling seven day antibiotic treatment. She had to drive to the hospital (over a 20 mile round trip) three times a day to receive IV drips of a high powered antibiotic since oral meds didn't do the trick. Every eight hours she had to make the trip to receive the 2 hour drip. Her days were full.

Jewels is a lot like me. We are fiercely independent and don't want to “bother anyone”. Well, this episode has taught me that “theory” bothers people more, for they are helpless to aid and that is a serious “bother.” Jewels has family near by. She is separated from her husband but they have remained caring friends. Sadly, he is a few states away. I have offered and she just says, “Oh no, I'm OK.”

The constant trips to the hospital took it's toll the previous 7 days. She was exhausted and got little sleep. The doctor said the bacteria are still there so she has to do it all over again for 7 more days. And no, she won't accept help this time either.

So why this post? One, be very careful around ticks dear friends. We all ready know about Lyme disease, this was new to me and maybe to you also. We country folks too often meet up with those crawly creatures and if we have pets, they bring them into the house. Mighty gets a monthly dose of a tick preventive so the ones I find on him are all ready dead.

Two, please include Jewels in your prayers. I do believe in the power of prayer and that is help she can't refuse. Also if you have time, stop by her blog and leave some encouragement that you are so good at giving. Thank you.

Do be careful in the woods. Any tick bite should be carefully monitored.