The Mystery Disease: Part II

Well, let's bring you up to date on "The Mystery Disease":

• About a month ago, I developed what I thought was Hepatitis C treatment-related joint and bone pain.
  
• Within a week or so, I developed what is called lower-extremity edema, fluid buildup starting at my right ankle and moving up about 6 inches.
  
• Then, with the edema came cellulitis, an infection of the skin cells that apparently moves from within the limb to the outside.
  
• Later, I began to notice knots in various places, largely in my legs.
  
• I was first put on Keflex, but that did nothing to hinder the infection.
  
• Last Monday, Sept. 12, I was then given a prescription for Cipro, which seemed to stem the progression somewhat. At the same time, an appointment was made for me to go to a Wound Treatment Center, even though there was no open wound for them to treat. (This is how stumped everyone has been.)
  
• Last Wednesday, Sept. 14, Dr. Scott stopped the Hep C treatment, pulling me off of the PEGIntron, Ribivarin and Neupogen. He's convinced (andI am, too) that this is related to my compromised immune system.
  

So, I stopped Hep C treatment after Week 36 of 48 weeks, having twice tested negative for Hep C. I pray it stays that way ...

On Monday, I went to the Wound Treatment Center and discovered there was little, if anything, they could do since there was no open wound. So, the staff of St. Mary's Hospital joins the legion of those who are puzzled by the "mystery illness."

They also joined those who were saying I wasn't likely to get in to see an infectuous disease specialist any time soon, which was the next recommended step by my liver doc and agreed upon by one of my primary care physicians. However, I immediately went back to my liver doc who had found an infectious disease doctor, Dr. Jeff, who agreed to see me that very day (Monday).

Dr. Jeff's looking at four possibilities for infection, including the follow fungi:

• Cryptococcus neoforms (cryptococcosis)
  
• Blastomyces dermatitidis (blastomycosis)
  
• Hisoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis)
  

He is also considering Mycobacterium marinum (atypical mycobacteriosis), which is also called "atypical tuberculosis."

While in his office on Monday, Dr. Jeff ordered up blood work and a TB skin test, which today appears to be negative. He also ordered up a chest X-ray, which was done on Tuesday. However, he said the "big money" weas on doing a biopsy on one of the knots (or nodules).

I went to Dr. Lytle's office on Tuesday afternoon and he removed what appeared to be the largest of the nodules and said it appeared to be "necrophied fatty tissue," likely caused by whatever bug has invaded my legs. He sent one part to pathology and another to culture.

So, there I stand: still uncertain about what is going on with my body.

The good news, however, is that on Monday I completed a physical where Dr. Bruce informed me (and I paraphrase) that I am in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in.

Too bad that song's already been written.

Grace and peace ...