Part 17 (1/2)

To: Mama

Sent: July 24, 2001

Hi Mama. Well, I saw sawbones again today, and now he thinks it might be something called giardia (some kind of nasty parasite) that's laying me low, which might have been caused by drinking bad water! (I'm going to change the filters.) He put me on this very powerful antibiotic (Flagyl) which is supposed to kill just about anything inside of me, including Jimmy Hoffa, just in case he's hiding out somewhere down there.

The good news is I had no fever last night. It was the first night since Tuesday that I haven't soaked through the sheets. I feel a lot better today, although I'm still ga.s.sy. I'm eating, albeit small amounts, and it's not taking me as long to choke down a meal, so all in all, I'm hopeful. I'll see how it goes. I'm certainly not any worse than I was.

From: Carrie

To: Mama

Sent: July 26, 2001

Subject: How can you be lonely with a parasite, and other burning questions.

I looked up Giardia on the 'net, and found a picture. Looks like a friggin' party hat with a string coming out of the top. They call it a ”cystic” parasite. Cute, huh? Somehow, with the name Giardia, I pictured a chubby Italian guy in my stomach with a huge plate over his head waiting for my meals to drop! I'm asymptomatic in some ways. I'm constipated rather than having diarrhea, which most people get, and fever is unusual, tho it can occur. Still have some cramping and pain. Ate a whole bunch of spinach last night in hopes of Popeye-ing this b.u.g.g.e.r outta me!

From: Mama

To: Carrie

Sent: July 26, 2001

I'm glad you're feeling better, but my view is that you should have a battery of tests ANYWAY. Darling, I really think you should get a second opinion. Is there another doc in the vicinity? I know you don't want to get on a plane and come out to L.A. (where I wish you were at this time).

What about Boulder? It's a big city where there are bound to be specialists. I'll be more than happy to pay for your stay in a hotel, in a hospital, or whatever! You shouldn't fool around with this, even though you're feeling a little better. Why wait? Yes, it's a pain in the a.s.s, but you should be looked at by someone in the city in a sophisticated facility. It may take a day or three out of your schedule, but aren't you worth it?

Love, Mama

From: Carrie

To: Mama

Sent: July 30, 2001