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Folks, thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate what you've shown. I wish to publicly thank my loving wife for keeping you folks apprised as well. I am proud and blessed to have her by my side.
Here's the skinny on what happened ( how it happened is yet to be explained ) I contracted a bacteria called Nocardia in my right arm. Here's a link to a med page...http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000679.htm....Anyway, it hit about the last of November as a small fissure, what I thought may have been a bug or spider bite and over a period of days progressed up my arm to my armpit. As I've found, it was nothing to take lightly. Most of the time I just blow this stuff of and figure it'll go away in a day or two, so why go to the doc? Not anymore. Once my right arm was swollen nearly 3 times it's size and the lymph nodes were so tender they couldn't be touched, I figured it was time to do something. A trip to the hospital in Pensacola, FL was first..( I was at a race, naturally ) and noting they did seemed to help. Once I got back to Birmingham, I went to the Hospital and was immediately admitted. I had about every test run imaginable, including Hepatitis, HIV, Lukemia, Cancer and my immune system was fine..Blood work was good...Everything checked out fine but I was getting worse and this was in my bloodstream by now. Needless to say I was terrified of what was happening. Two surgeries to install 6 drains in my arm, and two weeks later I was released. I have at least 6 months of 4 a day antibiotics to go. It has pretty much zapped me of strength, but I'm working to get back in the swing of things. I have to...I have a hell of a hospital bill. I'm indeed fortunate to see 2005 arrive. Once again I just wish to say thanks to you all.
[ December 30, 2004, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Sam Sanfilippo ]
-------------------- Skidmore Sign Co. 3806 1st Avenue North Birmingham AL 35222 205-251-6049
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posted
Hey Sam....glad to see that you are still with us!
Nocardia is mean stuff!
With all those antibiotics...be careful of what you eat! It will kill off most of the enzymes and bacteria in your digestive system. Some foods will give you unpleasant after effects.
Now is not the time to rush back into full time work...slowly increase your workload, as your body heals and regains strength.
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
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Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Good to hear from you Sam. I pray that you are on the mend. What an ordeal for you. Please take it slow and let yourself heal. My heart goes out to you and your family. Love....Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Don't rush back full time too quick. That hospital bill can wait. If you start back too quick, and get down again, you could add to the bills, and lessen the chance of paying them back.
Still sending thoughts and prayers in your direction.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2281 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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ya coulda called me and i woulda went to the hospital with ya.....glad yer better....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Glad to hear Sam. I was just wondering yesterday how you were doing. Good news, Good news.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Glad to hear you are recovering! Ahhhh, the power of prayer... or is it cheese? I'll settle for both.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Good to hear from you Sam! You have been thru a lot of scary stuff so take it easy while you are healing. We will continue to keep you and your family in our thougths and prayers. Judy & Roger
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wow Sam.........sorry to hear about that man. I knew you were not well, but I didn't realize the extent of it I guess. Hang in there man and get well, just take your time.
Good to see ya here,
R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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