Valley Fever is an economic issue, too
Re: the March 1 article “NikZ providing hope for Valley Fever cure.”
In 1970 my husband entered the University of Arizona’s master’s program in civil engineering. Because we were moving from California, he had to sign a form that he would not sue the university if he contracted Valley Fever. He didn’t, but I did.
As my case was misdiagnosed as bronchitis, for six months I went to work feeling absolutely horrible. If that doctor had only administered a simple skin test for Valley Fever, chances are it would have been a light case with recovery within weeks, not months.
Ultimately, the disease killed the upper part of my right lung. Today, I have COPD because of Valley Fever. The cost for the privilege of breathing is $200 a month, after insurance co-pays.
I do not understand why Arizona business communities do not make conquering this dreadful disease one of their priorities. What business wants to move to Arizona where its healthcare and administrative costs will skyrocket should key employees come down with Valley Fever?
Jean Tencza
Rio Rico
Misdiagnosis led to disabling treatment
I enjoyed the story on Valley Fever, and the article about Cynthia Drummond especially, since I can 100 percent relate to what she is going through. I too had Valley Fever, and still have symptoms of it many years later. I had the sharp pain in my back. I went through the “false” negative test results. I had nine nodules in my lungs. I lost my own business, my health and all my savings trying to live without being able to work for over two years.
The difference with my Valley Fever was, because I had a false negative blood test, a rheumatologist misdiagnosed the Valley Fever as a rheumatic disease and put me on Humira. Humira weakened my immune system and it spread to my joints and muscles. I should have died.
I know what she means when she says it’s terrible just getting up in the morning. Maybe your article will educate more doctors when it comes to diagnosing this terrible disease. Thank you.
Douglas Robold
Southeast side
Safe Park raises issues that need to be addressed
I have visited Safe Park several times recently. After working in mental health nursing and substance abuse nursing and counseling for 50 years, I am convinced there are people without homes who will not be able to be housed by help from programs that exist here for that purpose.
I have worked with people with mental health problems and addictions and veterans who were without homes. I once promised a Vietnam veteran who could not sleep inside due to the nature of trauma he experienced in the military that I would continue to seek a way for people to be able to live outside in a safe place.
My hope and my prayer is that through the issues that are seeing light through the current situation a solution will be found for our brothers and sisters without homes.
Felice Stewart
Midtown
Who’s the dunce — the lawmaker or the voter?
Of course there is amusement about legislatures that put the need for pistol silencers ahead of that for good roads. Or one that puts witnessing for a half-baked ideology above national security.
But if we rightly assume that all who hold political office and those who spend billions of dollars to put them there are not dolts, doesn’t it follow that both groups expect profitable returns?
Along with the seven deadly sins, two more characterize us: our insatiable hunger for bunkum and our remarkable capacity for self-delusion. H.L. Mencken was correct when he wrote that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.
Isn’t the joke really not them, but us? Aren’t we the ones wearing the dunce caps?
Herbert Krauss
Foothills
Conquistadores bring terrific golf to Tucson
A senior men’s pro golf tournament, the Tucson Conquistadores Classic, is coming to Tucson. Many players who have entered are very popular, have won many tournaments in years past, including some majors, and many could still tee it up with the younger pros. There is no cut line, and it is being played on a wonderful spectator course at Omni Tucson National Resort.
Great work, Conquistadors.
Willie and Ann Laurie Moore
Northeast side
Parade entry should not have been allowed
This year’s rodeo parade angered me, for two reasons: 1. Ford Motors’ entry of a car on a trailer — advertising in very poor taste. 2. A team of two horses pulling that entry. I was at the corner of Park and Ajo. The horses had to stop shortly after rounding the corner — they almost rear-ended the entry ahead of them trying to stop and then had to strain to start it again.
I am extremely disappointed in the Parade Committee for allowing the entry and not requiring a team of four horses pulling that entry. Those two horses were abused. And don’t assume I know nothing about horses — I have owned them for years.
Lu Peters
Southwest side
