Frustrated! Angry! The Curse of Africa!

[CZDiesel]

Well guys it seems as the Curse of Africa is strong when it comes to me! So you see I was booked, payed and ready to go to South Africa in 99 and I blew out my back out at work and had to have surgery so I gave away my hunt to a friend. In 02 I was booked and payed for Tanzania and several weeks before departure I was shot five times and ended up in the hospital for the next eight months and had to give that hunt away too…

Now fast forward to 24 I have a hunt booked and fully paid for in the Save Valley Conservancy this coming July and it’s happening again!!! I banged my ankle a year or so back and it was nothing more than a scuff but because of the gun shot wounds I have poor circulation in the leg and that scuff lingered…
Months later after traveling to Dallas for the DSC convention that scuff opened up to a small hole the size of an eraser head but still was not wanting to heal and then this summer happened, and there was no way I could foresee it, and the wound contracted MRSA and before we knew it the wound was the size of a tennis ball and growing! MRSA IS NO JOKE!
Almost $400,000 later and seeing wound specialist three times a week for the last five months ,who used Stem Cell Grafts and every thing else on it, it’s still open!
It’s much, much better and the infection is out but still open sadly…
I have for over 25 years dreamed and paid for Safari and it seem like I will be denied again! I have talked to the PH and he was really cool about it and said let’s just wait a bit before making a decision but it seem as the wound will not heal in time and I’ll have to postpone at the minimum.
I have pics of the wound but didn’t post as they are a little graphic and I did want to upset anyone but can if the site is ok?
I cannot believe this is happening once again! I cannot tell you the level of frustration!
My friends all say it’s the Curse of Africa and I should abandon the idea of going but I just dont think I can do that…

 

[Rare Breed]

Don’t give up on your vision given it is so clear you have a passion for it!!! Continue to persevere as you have and it will happen!!!!

 

[DLSJR]

Don’t give up on your dream. Africa is a very special place and worth waiting for ‘the right time’. Persevere, keep the dream alive and let us know when you get ready to board the plane.

 

[Stetsonham]

Don’t give up! Just push those dates back If need be on your upcoming hunt, heal up and get it done! Praying for your recovery my friend.

 

[Mekaniks]

Don’t give up! Just push those dates back If need be on your upcoming hunt, heal up and get it done! Praying for your recovery my friend.

What he said ^^^^^

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

First sorry to hear of this bad fortune. Sincerely sorry. You will recover. You just need a little more time. I was almost killed on a job and it changed my life. Two surgeries and 18 months of rehabilitation just to get back to 50% of normal. During that recovery time I came to realize that life is precious and I needed to live my dreams. Then, once I finally booked my trip 3 years later, the outfitter and also a friend, got killed by an elephant a few months before my scheduled Safari! I went anyway and I made the best of it, even though I was mourning his death and uncertain of how the safari would go. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m glad I went. That trip also changed me for the better. It wasn’t easy, but I figured it out and you will too. Hang in there, things will get better.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Sorry for your run of luck. Let’s call it good luck. You survived 5 GSWs

First if you do go. With your luck. Make sure you have Ripcord or Global Rescue Evac and repatriation insurance.

Look into Hyperbaric O2 therapy. Many insurance companies won’t cover it but some will after diagnosis of persistent infections. Oxygen under pressure works great for infections. Especially when it gets in the bone.

 

[Rimbaud]

My dad has struggled with wounds that don't heal. We have taken him to specialized wound clinics and they have helped him heal despite a slew of other issues that make healing hard. My dad is tougher than woodpecker lips, and it sounds like the same is true for you. I think that's the critical ingredient on the path to getting better. Keep fighting to go on your hunt. Find the right doctor. Demand the best care. Tell them of your goal. You will get there.

 

[WAB]

Having seen those pics, I would probably not post them! I am really sorry you are still struggling with this. I hope it starts to close up and you can get to the Save this year. It is a special place.

 

[wyosteve]

Hope they get it under control. A friend of ours had something similar and ended losing his leg above the knee before they got it resolved. Best of luck to you.

 

[PARA45]

Don't give up on your dream. You're obviously a tough hombre, keep fighting and make that dream come true.

 

[Frederik]

Keep on dreaming and fighting it will be worth it in the end!!

 

[Hooknbullet2]

I would highly recommend you check into a wound vac. My wife’s company brought this to market many years ago before 3m bought them out. It works wonders on cases like yours.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/medical/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-systems/b/v-a-c/i/health-care/medical/

 

[Shootist43]

CZDiesel, I too suffer from open wounds. Sometimes they take several years to close. DVT / Blood Clots resulting from a motorcycle accident over 50 years ago is what caused my poor circulation. I wear Thigh -HI JOBST Compressive stockings on both legs. They really do help.

 

[Scott CWO]

Dang I had no idea you were going through all that! You are one tough hombre! You made it through 5 GSWs so I’m sure you’ll get healed now and get there even if you have to roll over to 2026! Don’t stop believing!

 

[meigsbucks]

Keep fighting it. Africa is worth it. Best of luck to you.

 

[Papa72]

Similar to my wife’s challenge in 1993. Open and non-healing wound on the bottom of her foot from DIC complications that also resisted graft attempts. She got frustrated and asked her MD to amputate below knee. A couple months of healing and prosthetic fitment later and she returned her work as RN administrator. She’s retired now but still walks 4-5K steps a day without the use of a cane. Sandy just turned 74, BTW.

 

[thi9elsp]

Keep fighting and keep the dream alive

 

[AZDAVE]

Keep the dream alive and you will be all the more happy once you set foot in Africa.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hey CZ, sounds like the curse of the USA to me, I don't think that you can blame Africa for this one! But hang in there, be positive and strong and you never know.