I Finally Got The Point .....My Summer Vacation ....

holy cow!  thank you so much for posting this - reading your story is a definite reminder to respect the disease and the suppressed immune system that comes with it.

I got a cat scratch on my instep earlier this week that got very red, more so than when I normally get scratched (it happens - you have dogs, you understand), so I went to the doctor, got some antibiotic cream and have been using it faithfully as directed. I was feeling a little like an overly careful wuss, but this post made me realize I was just being sensible. Thank you again - I'm looking forward to seeing the next chapter in your story.  I hope it doesn't involve you being in the hospital - I spent so much of my childhood and adolescence in them that I completely understand your phobia

And congratulations on your dogs' wins!

Hi Alexandra!

     During the brief time that I was on Remicade, I was totally paranoid about infection during the 2-week period following the infusions.  I'd wake up with a sore throat and run to the ER at 5 am, calm down and sign myself out at 7 because they'd be too busy to deal with me, and my throat would start to feel better.  Maybe if you and I could rub off on each other ....!

     Our neighbor/friend/catsitter/lymphoma survivor got bitten by our cat (yes, she bit the hand that fed her...) and went home and washed it out really thoroughly.  She still ended up in the ER the next day, in pain with red streaks going up her arm.  I was horrified when we got home from our trip and found out.  (SHe was embarassed because the deputy sheriff got sent to our home to make sure our cat had gotten her rabies shots, but I felt terrible - and was not upset with her at all...)  And again, that's without RA ... although having had lymphoma, she probably has some immune problems as well.  Take no chances, take no prisoners!

     P.S.  There is a myth that dogs have no bacteria in their mouths, that their saliva prevents it, but such is not the case, according to my vet!  And the reason that cat bites almost always become infected is because they are so deep!  It turns out that one reason our cat was so ornery (more so than usual) was that she had both a infected bite and a growth on the base of her tail that was sore.  The vet insisted she must have been bitten by another cat, but she's an indoor cat with no companions, so the only possibility is that she bit herself (and infected herself) in trying to get at the annoying growth!

    I'll bet there are some other interesting & fascinating animal stories out there!