Leishmaniasis

    I am going to post corespondance and pictures with a new friend from Canada Marc. He may have been bit by the same sand fly , in about the same place. On my left part of my face just under my eye. He started dealing with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis about 10 months after I started dealing with my C.L..

   I felt It was important to inform Marc what I learned, Here is my first text Middle of October 2022.

I met your friends at Ginny Springs today. I am just recovering from Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Mexicana type sandfly on a bite that was close to my left eye . I have been to experts such as Mayo Clinic, etcetera,  I will call you tomorrow. I have seen a picture of you and it is similar to what I have.  You are going to get a topical if I have to send you mine. Paromomycin 15% ointment. Be careful with ambisome , I also had 2 rounds of Miltefosine. Look up Dr Harry Goldin in Skokie , IL.  I am driving to Chicago tomorrow so I will call you then

Leishmaniasis sandfly bite Cutaneous Leishmaniasis C.L. New World Mexicana

   I was cave diving in Tulumn area in Mexico during Thanksgiving week. Some time while in Mexico I was bitten by a female sand fly on my cheek under my left eye. It left a one cell protozoa (parasite) under my skin.

    I noticed a lump or lesion starting to form on early February, about 45 days after being in Mexico. I went to my eye doctor because it was close to my eye at first looking like I had a black eye. My optometrist thought it was a tear duct infection. He showed me pictures of people with tear duct infections, and the lesion looked very similar.

   he optometrist gave me a 7 day round of anti-biotics. But it just got worse. Two weeks from seeing the optometrist, he sent me to an eye lid specialist/ plastic surgeon. Dr Kathy Winkler.

     Dr Winkler checked my tear duct and it was clear. She then performed a biopsy, taking a sample from the lesion. About four days latter she called with the diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

CL is how I will refer to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is rare in USA about 500 people a year get treated with Leishmaniasis, and all have traveled to other parts of the world. Notice I did not say CL, because there are three basic different types of Leishmaniasis.

   I will write and add picture's about my journey to get treatment. I have been to three different hospitals. Edwards Hospital in Naperville , IL a prestigious suburb in USA.  Rush Hospital in Chicago, rated #10 in USA and Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, #1 in USA and #1 in WORLD. I also was in touch with a Dermatologist in Mexico who has experience and was currently treating people with CL.

   Protocol is for the physician is to contact the CDC for determination of sand fly type. CDC also has references of treatment and doctors who have experience with CL.

    I found a Doctor in Skokie , IL with experience in healing CL with phototherapy Dr Goldin a dermatologist who case is published in medical journals. 

I will try and explain the treatment , the urgency, and my experience. After diagnosis, it took me weeks to get to see someone to start treatment. The longer the wait the more the disfigurement.

  After four different systemic treatments, and one topical my lesion/ ulcer is finally closed. Dr Goldin has not even seen the results of a topical anti parasite cream prescribed. The topical had to be produced by a specialty pharmacy. I see Dr Goldin in two days. 

First image I have February 14th 2021

Mexico Thanksgiving 2021

Mexico Pic nov 26 2021

 

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

 I got bit by a sand fly in Mexico in November around Thanksgiving it created a lesion under my left eye 2 months latter. I have been treated but it has not gone away.

 Have not Blogged in a long time,. I now dive a CM Optima in caves. I have been working very hard and have been worried about corona virus. But am living life the best I can

Did My hopix CCR Cave class at Eagles Nest with Mark Fowler from Lake City Dive Center
Mark was great.
   I put Aunt Helens ashes on her mothers, my Grand Ma's grave site. I spent 8 wonderful days in Florida watching winter turn to spring. Went to Larry Greens party another famous cave diver. Was at Great Outdoors for St Patrick's day just had a good time. Driving back from Amigos to my home 10 am start is a good time to beat Atlanta I made it home in 13 hours..

Just checking in for 2019 ,
    I had the loss of my 56 year old sister August 1st 2018, Very sad. Also My 95 year old Aunt sister of my father died January this year.
   I am working as hard as ever with my son Vince taking over many of the sop duties. Everyone else is fine. Amy,Colette and Theo. Judy my wife. Jessica , Sophie and Leham my grand children. Mike Zalas Cocos partner and his two other kids Mike and Gracy. Also Jessica's newborn my great grand child.
   Time to go to FL