For over a year now, I’ve been battling a flesh-eating parasite… on my face. My girlfriend (now wife!) and I went on a volunteer trip through South America, we got engaged at Machu Picchu, and moved on to live in the jungle, determining my fate. Despite our vigilant efforts to avoid bullet ants, bot flies, poisonous snakes, malaria, and yellow fever, but when I let my guard down for a mere ten minutes at the end of our stay in the Peruvian Amazon, my life would change completely.
I didn’t even notice the affliction for a month, and I wasn’t even deeply concerned for another month after that. From a bug bit grew a small pimple, which grew into a wound, and gradually swelled up and expanded. While volunteering in Bolivia my friends asked me more and more frequently if I was ok, and would suggest that I get the wound checked out.
Upon our return to Oregon, I began working with doctors to figure out this gross growth. After a month of cultures, biopsies and mis-diagnoses, I got a call that said I had leishmaniasis.
When people say that your health is all you have, you never realize how true it is until you are completely at the mercy of illness and medicine. I began to realize that I was in serious trouble and would be dependent upon my doctors and pharmaceutical research to be well again – and eventually, to survive.
This is my story of living with a flesh-eating parasite, and the incredible ups and downs I’ve endured along the way.
hello Adam.. i had the same disease in my back 14 years ago .. before its gone wild, my parent brought me to natural hot spring and they rub my back with the water everyday for week.. of course i’m cured now. hope this help
Thanks for the advice! I’m doing better now and am still healing, but should be totally recovered soon.
Can’t you soak you face in bleach or get the skin removed? Then cover the wound ? And. It would be gone
I read your story and saw it on Monsters Inside Me, I hope you’re doing well and I’m glad to hear that you’re battling the parasite and the damage its left. I’ll continue to pray for you and I hope you had a amazing wedding.
Hi Lindsey! Thank you for your support. I am doing much better – the wound hasn’t healed completely, but they filmed the show over a year ago, so I’ve healed really well since what they’ve shown. And our wedding was amazing beyond belief. We are doing really well and have appreciated all the support through the ordeal!
Hey Adam,
I am a Senior at Ithaca College majoring in Environmental Studies. Last Spring I studied abroad in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica working with amazing nonprofits that focused on environmental and social justice issues. My trip was life changing for me and helped me get direction in life. However, ever since my return in early April I’ve been battling with Leishmaniasis. Luckily, it is the cutaneous kind and the lesion is on leg but it’s still been difficult. Things are looking up though, I finished my second round of treatment last week and it looks a lot better already! Hopefully this is the last round. I just wanted to let you know that I found your story consoling and I agree that although you take a risk while traveling it’s totally worth it! Good luck on your adventures!
Your fellow leish buddy,
Juliet
Hi Juliet!
Solidarity! Sounds like an awesome trip followed up by an interesting biological experience! I hope you have health insurance, though. Best luck finishing your studies and defeating leishlie!
.Hi momoless!!!OMG you can read Japanese. LOLI was so surispred when I read your comment. (yep, I didn’t check your name first ) What?! Usually, Google translation doesn’t work so well.. how this person understand what I wrote in Japanese?! Then, I saw your name. Thanks for your comment!Entitlement is not sexy indeed.I’m a positive person and usually don’t get upset easily or don’t hate anything.I just accept the fact and take it. (and smile. )BUT I hate ignorance. I hate people who act like idiot They don’t know how rude they are. I better watch Adam’s WLL and forget about these stupid comments I saw on twitter.
When did I read Japanese?