You may recall, from last week’s column, that I went to the ER with a strange donut-shaped rash around, of all places, the belly button. TMI? Read on. 

At least, it’s in a place I can show people, and I’ve showed many because I appreciate the lay opinion as well as the doctor’s educated guess. By showing and telling, I’ve discovered that cellulitis is common. Mine has the added “umbilicus” because of its location. I suppose if it appeared on an arm, it might have been called cellulitis armicus. But that’s just me making stuff up. Or how about cellulitis legicus? For cellulitis of the leg, of course. I still think it’s Lyme’s.

Back at the ER this week, I was lucky to see Dave, the NP who originally diagnosed me. 

“Yep,” he said in reference to the donut rash, “It’s gotten bigger.” 

“It’s almost the size of an individual pizza now,” I added.

“When did you start the antibiotics?” Dave asked.

“Yesterday,” I confessed.

“Oh, that’s not enough time. They’re not even in your system yet.”

“Sure feels like they are. I’m so nauseous.” Dave seems unconcerned about this side effect.

“You need at least 72 hours.”

“But the paper you gave me says 1-2 days.” Dave overrules the printed information, and still doesn’t think it’s Lyme’s.

“Come back in 72 hours if there’s no change from the time you started taking the doxycycline, or sooner if things get worse.”

In the meantime, I consult my pharmacist, Keith Bishop, who lives in Oklahoma, where, according to AI, “there appear to be a significant number of alternative healers and clinics, particularly in areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa.” Bishop, now retired, works holistically with terminal cancer patients. With his help and continued guidance, I’m in remission from that dastardly disease.

Based on Dave’s assessment that it’s not Lyme’s, Bishop suggests I may have a fungal infection, and not a bacterial one, which is why the donut has enlarged and is not going away despite taking the doxy. “Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, Lyme disease, acne, and sexually transmitted infections. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It is not anti-fungal,” explains google. 

Bishop suggests I apply an antifungal cream such as Lamisil to half of the pizza and then make a comparison to the other half to see if the rash has improve on the one side. (I did, and no change). He also suggests that I go back to the ER on day two, not to wait 72 hours, and to ask if the correct bacteria is being targeted. Bishop offers the names of two other pharmaceuticals that might work either alongside the doxy or instead of it. Now the real difficulty is upon me.

How do I talk to the medical profession without demeaning them? How do I pretend that I don’t look things up on google (which I do), and most importantly, how do I make them think changing meds or investigating other avenues is all their idea? This is called the art of advocating for oneself, and the first step is to practice different approaches, and never mention looking anything up on the internet.

“Is it possible this is a fungal infection?”

“Is there another pharmaceutical that might target more or different bacteria?”

“Is the ER open on holidays?”

Dare I mention the exact pharmaceuticals Bishop told me to inquire about taking? 

Upon returning to the ER, the NP who examined me this time was happy to discuss all of the above possibilities. I was touched when she said she had thought about me over the years as she was, coincidentally, the same NP who had attended me when I needed hospitalization for active cancer. Even though the bite is not a bullseye; and there’s no evidence of a tick, and it’s early, I insist on a Lyme’s panel. It comes out positive. I’m on the doxy, out of the sun, and getting better. 

RAMONA JAN is the Founder and Director of Yarnslingers, a storytelling group that tells tales both fantastic and true. She is also the roving historian for Callicoon, NY and is often seen giving tours around town. You can email her at callicoonwalkingtours@gmail.com.