I was 23 years old when I was diagnosed with Coccidiomycosis (valley fever). I contracted this disease in the Summer of 1991. I was traveling for a company to military bases in Southern California. Just from being out in these desert climates I was exposed too this horrible disease. As a result from this I was hospitalized for a week in San Diego where I have resided for the past 17 years. After being diagnosed I was immediately put on a research program at UCSD by Dr. Antonino Catanzaro (Professor of Medicine).
The medication I was to be treated with was Flucanazole. An oral drug vs. injections of Amphetericin B that did not sound too pleasing. The disease that I caught has no cure but it is controllable by proper treatment. The research study that I was put on was for 2 years.
The first year I complied with my Doctors order but the second year I neglected the treatment of Flucanazole. I believe at the time I was in denial and I seemed to be doing fine. I was young and did not take my condition serious. By the end of 1994 I found myself in the hospital again with Hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
This was when a series of medical conditions had started too begin. In 1995 a couple of shunt revisions were done. In 1996 another shunt revision was done. then by the end of that year. My 4th ventricle had to be shunted. This incident left me with paralysis too the left side of my face. I resulted in 6th and 7th nerve damage. In 1997 another shunt revision took place. in 1998 eye surgery was done too correct the double vision problem that occurred from 1996 incident.
Ever since 1995 I've been out of work and with my life revolving around Doctors appointments, hospitalizations, and treatments, depression soon followed.
I'm now 30 years old although doing better, I'll never be the same person that I was 8 years ago.I feel very lucky that I'm here too share this story with you. I feel very fortunate, I now take time too smell the flowers. "Oh and you better believe I take my medication!"
Thank you for your time,
Brian Bowman
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