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PROTECT YOURSELF!

© Michelle Alton

PROTECT YOURSELF!

Uploaded: July 26, 2014 03:53:14 | Entered: July 26, 2014 03:53:14

Description

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URGENT! My husband is batttling for his life in University Medical Center of Princeton (NJ). A tick-borne parasite Babesia, that relentlessly destroys red blood cells causing hemolytic anemia.
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This is much rarer than Lyme disease but can be a killer. So far, Jeff has received 17 units of packed red blood cells in a process called Blood Exchange. Trying to reduce the levels of the parasite enough to allow drugs to work. This can be deadly, especially for the young and old.
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The Red Cross nurses (from Philadelphia) who managed the blood exchange process have treated four cases so far this summer in the NJ, PA, Delaware area. It's "common" overseas and in the Northeast U.S. Who knew? Who ever heard of it?
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Folks...please protect yourself when outdoors. Wear Deet and long sleeves and pants. The host tick is tiny, like a deer tick. Symptoms MAY not manifest for months.
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Please share this info as much as you can, espec

Exif: F Number: 2.8, ExposureTime: 1/15 seconds, Flash: fired, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 125, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 3.85 mm, Model: iPhone 4

Comments

JO ANN CLEVELAND July 26, 2014

Ohhh my goodness Michelle, prayers will be lifted for the both of you darling! Keep us posted!

jo ann c. #1580597

John Connolly July 26, 2014

I hope your hubby is on the way to a full recovery Michelle! Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family! #11092764

Susan Williams July 26, 2014

Thoughts and prayers for your husband's recovery, and endurance for you and your family, Michelle. My heart goes out to you. #11092782

Gail Sullivan level-classic July 26, 2014

Michelle...so sorry for your husband's illness and so thoughtful of you to sound the alarm. I, for one, never heard of this. #11092801

Mitch Spence level-classic July 26, 2014

No, I never have heard of this--not ever. Where I came from before this move, ticks abounded, although that's in the Midwest. I am so sorry to hear about this ordeal with Jeff. Is it at all helpful to catch this earlier rather than later, since it can incubate for months--or is that even possible? #11092814

Michelle Alton July 26, 2014

Just got home from the hospital, where seeming miracles occurred today. The blood exchange did what it was supposed to do: Lowered the percentage of parasites from 16 to 1!! They were just hoping to get below 5 to give antibiotics a chance to work. Today Jeff got out of bed, sat up on a chair for two hours and wolfed down two full meals and two ice creams! He looks almost healthy! Just hoping the improvement continues and he'll be on his way home in a couple of days!
Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers! SOMETHING seems to be working!
#11092857

Michele Peterson level-classic July 26, 2014

Oh Michelle, so glad to hear the good update! Praying for you and your husband. #11092933

Carol Quina level-classic July 27, 2014

So glad your husband is doing better. Prayers for his continued healing. #11093206

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe July 27, 2014

Glad to hear he is improving. Sounds like a good sign he is eating and getting up. I have had Lyme disease and know Babesia is much more serious. I first heard of it on Mystery Diagnosis on TV then had to do some reading on it. Praying he continues to improve. #11093253

Michelle Alton July 27, 2014

Progress back to health continues. If all goes well, Jeff should be home Tuesday. But the full recovery will be kind of slow. #11093332

Terry Cervi level-deluxe July 27, 2014

That's wonderful news, Michelle! I wish your hubby a full recovery back to health even if it's slow, at least he's headed in the right direction. I never heard of this parasite either. #11093394

Debbie Bray July 28, 2014

GOSH Michelle, what a terrible ordeal your family has been going through!! I'm glad to see he is on the mend!! I hope he's up and at 'em real soon!! #11093930

Carol Eade level-addict July 29, 2014

I wish your husband a full recovery, Michelle. What an ordeal. I've never heard of this parasite before. #11094616

Michelle Alton July 29, 2014

Jeff came home today and is doing much better than I expected. I guess being home makes a huge difference. He seems a new man, at least for now! Two Doctor visits tomorrow for followup. Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers everyone. #11094629

Marilyn K. Lincecum level-classic July 29, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with both you and your husband and his continued improvement. #11094837

Emile Abbott level-deluxe July 30, 2014

OH MY GOSH, MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHT GO OUT TO YOU AND JEFF. I AM GLAD HE IS IMPROVING AND THAT THE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS HELPED LOWER THE PARASITE LEVEL AND THE ANTIBIOTIC ARE KICKING IN. KEEP US POSTED MICHELLE. #11095200

Amanda J. Tanner level-classic July 31, 2014

Michelle thank you for sharing the info on this tick related illness! I am so sorry to hear your husband is having to go thru this and you. I hope he will continue to improve. #11096192

Jeffrey R. Bange August 01, 2014

I'm sorry to hear about your husband Michelle, I've been on vacation for the past two weeks but I'm really glad to hear that he's now home and doing well. My prayers are with you both for a speedy and full recovery. #11099119

William C. Raco level-classic August 11, 2014

I'm glad to hear Jeff is getting better.
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery
#11105914

William C. Raco level-classic August 11, 2014

I'm glad to hear Jeff is getting better.
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery
#11105915

Dr Silly level-classic August 11, 2014

Praying, glad Jeff is getting better. :O) #11105919

Usman M. Bajwa level-classic August 12, 2014

Glad he is getting better, Michele. Prayers on your way.

UB. #11106326

Sylvia Rourke level-classic August 14, 2014

So glad to hear that your hubby is getting better. Sending you lots of prayers all the way from Canada. #11108142

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