Snapshot Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Get better soon. I was fortunate enough to meet Paul at a CWT.com party, and tip a few cold ones.Good people! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Prayers sent for a speedy and full recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couestracker Report post Posted July 31, 2014 So glad to hear he's doing better. More prayers for a fast and full recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Scary stuff. Prayers for you and Paul. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted August 1, 2014 Just read this, scary stuff. Our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4Falls Report post Posted August 1, 2014 Doulbling up on prayers, Amanda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wdenike Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Prayers for all to turn out well!!! Take care, Willie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Just an update for everyone.... My husband is recovering great! He feels good again and has actually been able to go back to work the last couple days. Thanks be to God! This case has turned into something very interesting. I spent a bunch of time this past week researching ticks in AZ and what diseases they can carry. I sent the pic of the tick to some local specialists for identification and they misidentified it. Since I didn't agree with their ID, I researched and found the leading expert on the type of tick that I thought it was and emailed him the photo. He immediately agreed with me and said that even though that tick is exceedingly rare, there had been a handful of records of it in a couple counties down south in AZ. After I got the tick ID'd I found out what kind of disease it can cause and it turns out that it causes a different type of spotted fever from the regular Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever that we all assumed it was at first. Once I found out the type of bacteria, then I searched the internet for symptoms and how to treat it. Turns out there is a specific lesion cause by a bite and infection from this tick and we suddenly realized that the weird wound Paul had on his arm was the classic lesion. The other symptoms are almost identical to RMSF and the treatment is identical for this other type of spotted fever, so from a health standpoint for him, it's a moot point. But I thought it was important for the health departments to know about this rare tick and rare disease, so I contacted lots of people and asked how we could get Paul tested for this particular bacteria. Apparently the regular RMSF test wouldn't differentiate between the two types of bacteria and so special samples (blood and tissue) had to be taken and sent to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). So that has been done and now we are waiting for the results of the test. All the health professionals and tick researchers are fascinated with this case and it will likely become a published case. Being a scientist, I have found this whole week pretty fascinating as I unraveled the mystery. I have been working with the tick researchers so they can go find more of these ticks and test them for infection. I suspect the ticks where we found them have a high rate of infection since Paul got infected by just one bite. Over time we will find out if my suspicions are correct. Should be interesting! 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Where abouts were you guys when he got bit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Where abouts were you guys when he got bit? In the Atascosa mountains down south by the border. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hntnIwlgo Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Very interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Thanks, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted August 3, 2014 I now call my husband Patient Zero.....since he is the epicenter of the disease! LOL! 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Thanks for the info Amanda. Now I have to worry about both rattlesnakes and ticks. Lol. I am glad Paul's recovery is going well...he'll be back out there with you in no time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Tub Report post Posted August 3, 2014 I am glad he is OK but DOESN'T THAT TICK YOU OFF! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites