So many times people get a strange bump here or there on their body and think nothing about it.   What started out as a small pimple like looking bump on Travis’ hand soon turned out to be a handful of trouble.  Luckily his wife, Gina was a nurse who recognized that something was up.  However they never would have guessed how bad it was going to get.  Here is a list of some of his personal symptoms and a brief version of the path he took to get a final diagnosis.

Some of the symptoms he showed over time:

• Travis noticed a small pimple-like bump on his left index finger knuckle and didn’t think much of it.  Bumps and cuts weren’t uncommon in his line of work.  However the bump suddenly became the size of his knuckle and his wife knew it was time to see the doctor.  She figured it was an infection and prescribed an antibiotic.
• Within a week, Travis’ bump grew larger making it difficult to move his finger.  His doctor then did some blood work and ordered an x-ray.   He was then referred to a rheumatologist who diagnosed him with rheumatoid arthritis.  The doctor prescribed steroids.
• Over the next three weeks, the bump/lesion only got worse.  Suddenly his wrist and pinkie were experiencing pain.  The skin was beginning to peel.  The doctor encouraged them to give the medicine a chance.
• With four weeks on no improvement they went back and the doctor did an MRI.  He saw an abscess and knew there was an infection.  He suggested immediate surgery to drain the infection before it could spread further.
• Gina then contacted an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Rex Petersen, she knew from work.  He saw him the same day.  The doctor knew it was important to do the surgery immediately.  A sample of the blood was sent of to get a better idea of what they dealt with.  Strangely, the results were all negative for infection.
• This left the possibility of cancer.  A biopsy was taken and they waited….seven long days.  The results came back….negative.
• Dr. Petersen continued to treat Travis’ lesions and irrigate it, but the wound was spreading up his arm.  He was losing skin and new abscesses were forming. 
• Then, Travis got worse.  His blood pressure was low, his heart rate was very fast and he was running a fever. They headed straight to the hospital and put in ICU.   Travis was in sepsis shock caused by the infection.  The infection was through out his body and he was in bad shape. 
• Eventually stabilized, Dr. Petersen suggested that they may need to amputate Travis’ arm.  Gina pleaded and convinced the doctor to continue treating the abscesses as they progressed. 
• Then Dr. Petersen came across an article and questioned Gina about their lifestyle.  With vital information, he only had one last test to run on Travis.

Final Diagnosis:

• Mycobacterium Marinum – a rare bacteria that normally lives in oceans and rivers.  In healthy people the body protects against bacteria that invade it, but Travis’ wound on his hand allowed for the bacteria to enter his body.  So…Travis had a small open wound on his hand and the bacteria entered through it when he cleaned his tropical fish tank at home. Luckily this was curable.  Only around 160 people in the US get this every year

What is ahead for him:

• Travis was placed on a powerful antibiotic and within hours showed signs of improvement.
• If a diagnosis hadn’t been made, Travis would have lost his arm, if not his life.
• He may have a little difficulty using a few fingers, but Travis still cleans his own tank….he just uses LONG rubber gloves.

It is crazy to think that someone could catch such a dangerous bacteria from their fish tank.  It always amazes me when I hear about these stories that start out with something so small.  I am glad their doctor didn’t give up and hope no one ever has to go through a journey like Travis’.