Who Knew?

When I started this blog a couple of weeks ago, I asked myself, how I would be able to write about my future. After all, I don't possess a crystal ball. Of course, I knew I could talk about possible trips, cruises, and other plans. Then all of a sudden, the unexpected future became the dreadful present. In short, quite unexpectedly I was attacked by a not so common bacteria that inflamed my colon. The effects were excruciating and two days later, at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, I called an ambulance to take me to Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

After three days of tests, CT scans and a couple of MRIs the specific bacteria type was found and the doctors were able to focus on more precise treatment, including antibiotics. My food intake was reduced to blander than bland. I was in the hospital for nine days and have now been home for a week, during which time, I have lost 9 pounds in weight. However, I'm slowly on the mend and improve by small degrees each day. Indeed, just today I have been given permission to add a few more foods to my diet.

So hopefully, that unknown future that became a frightening and painful present is now on its way to becoming part of my past.

For those wondering how I picked up the bacteria, it is thought to have been via one of those prepacked salads from the supermarket. And, no it is not the same as the cyclospora that has so far affected 3,000 people in the USA. That is caused by a parasite.

My recovery period is estimated to be between 2 - 4 weeks.

In closing, I am so happy with the treatment I received at The Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The care was excellent and I can't say enough about the young, dedicated staff from all corners of the world. I am also blessed by having a small team of medical professionals here in the city. My primary care physician, Dr. Andrew Lehmann, and my cardio surgeon, Dr. Jose Ordonez, came to visit me every day I was in the hospital.

Ironically, as I write this, I do have a future event that I know about: surgery on the 13th of next month that had to be postponed because of my recent illness. But note, the surgery has nothing to do with my current situation. I'll be sure to mention it in another post. It's not something I'm looking forward too