Leukemia or Typhoid?

The doctor just called with the test results.

Since October 24th we have had this gy-normous question hanging over our heads:
                Does Jeff have leukemia or some other sort of blood cancer?
                Or . . . Did he merely have typhoid fever?

We got our wish!!  It was TYPHOID !!

His leukocytes and other blood numbers are now back to normal - PLUS the Ecuadorian doctor even did the test for typhoid fever but he apparently didn't notice the positive result.  He just told us to see a hematologist ASAP, that leukemia can progress quickly.

So at 2pm on that memorable day in Otavalo, Ecuador I immediately went to an internet cafe and began researching possible causes of his abnormal lab results.

In the meantime Jeff was in our hostel room, doing his best to connect to the airlines on Skype to see about flying back home immediately.

What I found in the course of my jet-speed research was that his symptoms directly matched the first week of typhoid fever.

What I had to get my brain wrapped around was this:  He didn't have ANY intestinal symptoms at all, and I've always thought that typhoid was an intestinal disease.  Yes, it does involve massive and even fatal intestinal symptoms - but NOT until after the first week of infection.  

By my calculations, Jeff was in his 4th day of high fever, severe headache and fatigue.  My research sources told me that many people don't have intestinal issues at this point of infection, while others may.

Everything fit together.  But if we were to run off to find a hematologist, it would be many more days or even weeks before getting treated (for the wrong disease), during which time the typhoid fever would progress into the life threatening stages.

So I ran upstairs at the hostel, convinced Jeff to get off of Skype, and explained my new theory of his condition.  We researched cures for typhoid, left the hostel to go to a pharmacy, and purchased the agreed-upon antibiotic AND lots more Tylenol for the fever.

By 4pm the same day as he'd seen the doctor and had the lab work done, he took his first dose of antibiotic.

Though he actually felt somewhat better the next day, it took well over a week for the fever to finally stop.  And we haven't known how his white and red blood cell counts have been doing after taking the antibiotic - until this morning.

We voted for TYPHOID!  And thank God, we won.

(Please do not attempt to do this trick in your own home.)

Now we can again finally enter the planning phase for our future life in Colombia.
Stay tuned for The Escape.

We Vote for Typhoid

The hazards of third world travel are many. But I've always had the illusion of immunity. I've never spent a day in the hospital nor had a serious illness.

That record still holds, but as I heard a distinct snap and lay in shocked agony on the ground with a painful sprain. I was absolutely sure that my run of luck was over. This was new territory for me, so I breathed through the pain, opened my eyes, and tested the ankle. What a close call! No bones sticking out, and the pain seemed manageable. During the next week I went through the stages of swelling and discoloration, and was able to restore normal strength and mobility.

Ecuador is not the U.S. You need to expect open holes in the sidewalks,and anticipate pushy drivers at all pedestrian crossings.

And then there are the various diseases to consider.

Hepatitis, Malaria, Yellow fever, Dengue fever, Typhoid, and the list goes on. We received all the necessary vaccinations in the US, except I was not able to take the final dose of Typhoid oral vaccine.

After visiting a jungle and eating two helpings of "street" food, I entered my 3rd straight day of splitting headaches and mounting fever. That missing vaccine dose was on my mind.

I found an excellent doctor who performed a series of lab tests, and reviewed all the results with me. All of this cost less than $40 and was completed in under 2 hours. This is what basic health care should be like.

The findings showed reduced leucocytes and platelets. There are a range of illnesses that will do that to you, including leukemia. The first doctor's conservative recommendation, was to visit a specialist or return to the US.

For a lousy 2 hours I thought I was looking at blood cancer. Starr went into high gear and we found that my exact symptoms, including the blood labs, indicated typhoid exposure.

We vote for typhoid.

We obtained the recommended antibiotic simply by telling a pharmacist what we wanted and how many doses. Once again, this system works for me. No delays, faxes, or insurance involvement, and all at a vastly reduced cost.

Today my headaches are gone and my fever is backing off. We'll stick around here for a day or two to make sure all is well before moving on.

So the stakes are high. Stay vigilant and you will enjoy your trip to the max. Get careless or think you are in the U.S. and your trip, or your health, can be ruined.

As careful as I usually am about my health - I get it, and I won't forget it.

Slow down

Unfortunately Jeff hasn't been feeling well for the past few days.  He's got a bad headache and a fever.  We thought it would pass but this morning it's no better.

Today begins the search for a doctor in Otavalo Ecuador.