Ken
<via tickinfo.com>
For a guy who really never leaves the house, you might imagine my surprise to find a deer tick attached to my inner thigh. Just a few more inches higher could have spelled real disaster. They are just nasty, ugly creatures.
I suspect one of the dogs brought it into the house, but who really knows (I will check them thoroughly)? I removed it with a pair of tweezers and, as my life goes, the head stayed in. Really, why would I expect anything else?
So you know, I’m the type of guy who inevitably pick’s the longest line to wait in at the store, even though it’s usually the shortest. Likewise, never follow me in traffic unless you like getting stuck in the slowest lane.
This led to a small surgical procedure on myself. I found everything I anticipated needing to get it out; alcohol prep pads, syringe needles, specimen vial, magnifying lamp, tweezers, antibacterial cream, and a band-aid. The result? Well, I’m not sure if I got it all, but I have a painful self-inflicted wound. A gash, actually.
I put the tick in a specimen vial, if Dr. Rodriguez wants to test it. Earlier this morning I sent a text to his office and they are putting me on doxycycline, an antibiotic. Whoopie.
Ryan
Ryan’s oxygen saturation was solid all day yesterday and throughout the night. This is true for his blood pressure too. I’m still concerned about him trying to fend off a urinary tract infection, since his urine leukocytes (white blood cells) are showing trace amounts. We will continue to test this daily until it shows the absence or production of more.
Ryan’s eyes are showing improvement. The left eye is completely free of any abrasions, while the right eye has a few pinpoint-sized nicks. Dr. Hinkle modified the treatment plan to return to GenTeal every two hours (from every hour) and Fresh-Kote — for tensile strength — four times daily (from an antibiotic ointment).
We’re going to be taking the Chick Magnet (a.k.a. van) for its first ride on Monday. We are heading over to Dr. Hinkle’s office (about a half-mile away) to do our best to use more technologically advanced equipment then he can bring to the house. Ryan will see a corneal specialist at the same time. The only frustration about this trip is the vanity license plate is yet to arrive, but I have a temporary plate to put on.
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Ok, it’s Sunday, almost Monday–where are you? Great that Ryan’s right eye has healed; blood pressure stabilized and oxygen level settled down. Tush rash still a problem…..thinking of you all–of course on-going prayers and love, Annie
left eye, i mean
Hate ticks and hate tick infested deer! In PetSmart they have these amazing tick remover doo dads, yes I think that’s the technical term. Works on humans also. Just twist. Check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/ProCollar-Tick-Twister/dp/B000OH6D96/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1318798756&sr=8-4
Don’t order a tick twister, got you one for yourself and your doggies 😉 That and some vitamins for Ryan. Hugs to all!
Any black salve should do the trick next time ken. No gash needed 🙂
Ken, good thing you dealt with that tick quickly and taking the precautionary antibiotic. As we all know, you are the MVP and cannot afford to get ill. Through everything you’ve dealt with in Ryan’s issues and obstacles, you have become very disciplined to act on the issue quickly and decisively, regardless of what it was. It’s no different with your discovery of this tick. There has been nothing to-date that you cannot do — and you are an inspirtion to all of us. God bless you and Ryan.
Will- given where the tick was, I doubt Ken would be willing to try that…LOL…but I have heard that, too.
Ken- if it’s not one thing, it’s a hundred, huh? I pray for your family every night. I sure wish there was more I could do…
Wow, I am happy you got the tick out after all that. I heard if you light a match then blow it out and quickly apply the hot end to the end of the tick it will fall of your body right away. Never tested this.
Brings a new meaning to “Great Balls of fire”
WOW! Didn’t realize the chick magnet was ready to roll.
Have to post pics so we can all see. That’s so exciting.
So, not only are you practicing medicine without a license but surgery too? You are something, Ken… Whatever it is — mad scientist, polymath, incredibly devoted dad — you wear it well. Good news on all fronts concerning Ryan, thank God! Enjoy your first outing in the Chick Magnet — don’t be surprised if I follow you guys out of the neighborhood 🙂 Oh, and you’ll never guess what I did for my thesis project. It involves deer ticks…
I’ll be getting into mammograms soon…
Oh boy… that procedure is not as fun as it may sound from a man’s perspective!
Ken Sorry about tick,Hope it turns out ok.. So happy Ryans eyes are better and numbers were good .Praying no UTI ..Got his bracelet today and will always leave on as we “Rally for Ryan” Hugs to him Love Gail
Ken, you cannot be too careful about ticks. My sister-in-law has chronic Lyme, so I am grateful for you getting the little bugger out and adding antibiotics. Road trip to Dr. Hinkle’s office sounds like a great way to break in the new van. Love that guy! You can even grab a Potbelly sandwich while you are there. SHSPNGA
So glad Ryan’s eyes are getting better. This is very good news! I hope someone will be riding shotgun to keep you guys out of trouble. If not, just call us for bail money!
Always here with love and prayers.
As my brother always says, ticks have diseases you can’t wipe off! I’m glad you are being put on antibiotics…better to err on the safe side 🙂
Hope you have a better day – give our boy Ryan a hug!
SHSP NGA, RKD FTW!!!!
Good grief, it’s alway something! Sorry about this, and now Dr. Rodriguez is going to lecture you about that self-inflicted wound. However, we know conditions were sterile like that of an operating room, so we’ll vouch for you. My First Aid book says to apply oil to the tick and it will release its head so that it can be removed along with the body (without surgery). FYI, there are instructional videos on You Tube on procedures for tick removal (believe it!). Everything I ever really needed to know, I learned on You Tube, the Eighth Wonder of the World!
Ken, loved your description of your treatment of the tick, and also being in the slow lane, slow line, etc. I’m also the one who inevitably gets stuck behind the slowest car, gets the last seat on a packed bus/metro/airplane, gets told “I”m sorry, we just sold the last one, ” etc. lol — whatever, as long as our boy is having a good day, I’m happy.
Hugs,
Paula