Ill Young Entrepreneur Makes A Confession
Dear Readers
I have a confession
I have been keeping something from you. On a post on the 27th January I mentioned that I had been unwell since arriving in Ghana and I mentioned my: Ghanaian Hospital Visit
Anyway, the truth is I have never fully recovered, and indeed things got much worse. This is a very long story – but an interesting one, that will have to wait to another day.
In short, getting ill in a Third World Country is a pretty serious thing – especially when you end up being misdiagnosed several times.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not having a go at Ghana or the Ghanaian people – they are just lovely and so so kind, but things we take for granted elsewhere are just not available here.
What you need to know is that I am on my way back to the UK for hospital treatment today – and it is believed I will make a full recovery. I don’t mind admitting, at times I was scared.
I did not want this to be a long post – but it seems to be dragging on a bit, just as soon as I am fit enough, I will give a full run down on my “life enriching experience”. (Well, my Dad says it is Life Enriching – and talks about “war stories” and such like, but I am yet to be convinced of this)
You may well ask – how did I keep posting. The truth is that my Dad, (Barry Dunlop) Dean Hunt and my good friend Alistair (who is here with me in Ghana) have been looking after things. I could not speak but I was just about able to write up some ideas for posts and let Barry, Dean and Alistair do the rest. Even this post now, will be uploaded by my Dad – so if there are any grammar or spelling mistakes this time – it is all his fault, not Dyslexic me 
If you have emailed me and I have not replied – I apologise – if there is anything urgent please email info@midascode.co.uk and either Barry Dunlop or Dean Hunt will assist.
Finally here is a photograph from Sunday 3rd of February – at that time, I was just starting to come out in a rash (which hopefully you can see in the photograph). That rash which very quickly just about covered my whole body (Think Road Kill) was initially diagnosed as Heat Rash.
Hopefully you understand my reluctance to mention this in detail at this time – I am emotionally and mentally strong, but physically I am quite week. As soon as I can – I will “talk” about the whole experience a bit more.
In the meantime – if anyone wants to guess what my final Diagnosis was – I might just offer a website review or something like that, for the first person to get it right. Study the Photo and let me have your best guess.
20 comments so far… Leave a reply
Dean Hunt
February 11, 2008 3:13 pm
Michael, it is a shame that a potentially life changing journey was cut short... but with good reason from what I have heard. Great to hear you are back on your way to the UK, and I am sure you will be back to full fitness soon. By the way, I know what the final diagnosis is, so I won't cheat ;-) Speak soon. Dean
Charlie
February 11, 2008 3:28 pm
:( get well soon Mike
Shane
February 11, 2008 3:38 pm
Oh god! I wondered why you hadnt been online. I really hope you get well very soon. I am guessing its mumps?
Shane
February 11, 2008 3:44 pm
Also, Dean and Barry.. do you two need any help? I have full access to this website and blog ect. so I can make myself an account or something? I often help Michael and he needs help now most of all.
Michael
February 11, 2008 5:11 pm
Thanks Shane - this is Barry. Michael told me we could rely on you. We are OK right now - but I dare say in a day or two we will be in touch...
Barry Dunlop
February 11, 2008 5:33 pm
Hi Shane - it is not mumps. Also Michael just texted me and said thanks Shane - he appreciates your support
Shane Hudson
February 11, 2008 6:13 pm
Ok, well if you need anything at all just contact me. I hope Michael gets better very soon. Goodluck
Scott Battye
February 11, 2008 11:30 pm
Hey Michael, Wish you a speedy recovery! In the photo it looks a little like a case of bad chicken pox... Don't worry about the forums, I'll look after them for you :D Get well soon! Scott.
Patrick
February 12, 2008 2:28 am
Michael, hope you feel well. I'm gonna say you have chicken pox. Happy to hear you are doing better.
Ramblings and Link Roundup - 12th Feb
February 12, 2008 2:39 pm
[...] review at retireat21 is long over due, but since michael is sick i thought i’d give it a few more [...]
Bradly Fletchall
February 12, 2008 7:25 pm
My guess is Mono and the rash is a side effect of antibiotics taken when a person has mono. Am I right?
Pink
February 13, 2008 7:59 am
Was it meningitis?
Barry Dunlop
February 13, 2008 3:35 pm
Hi Everyone - This is Barry (Michaels Dad) Michael is making great progress now that he is in a UK hospital - I will leave it to him to update you all in due course on his adventures - lets just say it has been a scary few days for all of us. What was wrong? Michael had Infectious mononucleosis - more commonly known as glandular fever - also known as the kissing disease (but we are not giving Michael too hard a time about that at the moment) Ordinarily glandular fever is a pretty horrible thing - but when you combine that with a Third World hospital and basic conditions and a series of misdiagnoses then it gets very serious. Michael should not really have been flying on Monday evening - but in the end that was his best chance of getting proper treatment. More info on glandular fever at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_mononucleosis ALSO - A huge THANK YOU too all of you who emailed and expressed their support - also the commenters - I know Michael really appreciated it and cheered him up no end Barry
Barry Dunlop
February 13, 2008 3:38 pm
By the way Bradly Fletchall did use the word MONO - not sure if he mean't Infectious mononucleosis?
Shane
February 13, 2008 5:52 pm
I am very glad that Michael is recovering. If he had been here all the time then it wouldnt have been so bad. According to wikipedia MONO is what the americans call it, so I think he got it right.
Michael Is Feeling Much Better
February 14, 2008 4:09 pm
[...] you to all of you who emailed and responded to Michaels Ill Young Entrepreneur Post Michael really appreciated it and cheered him up no [...]
5 Entrepreneur Websites That Got Me Through The Hard Times in Hospital
February 20, 2008 10:26 pm
[...] Ok Readers, indulge me one more time with my hair-raising story of escaping from a Third World hospital in Ghana. OK - maybe a little exageration - but really. I was very ill [...]
Easton Ellsworth
February 22, 2008 4:13 am
Rootin' for ya here in northern Colorado, Michael.
Bradly Fletchall
February 22, 2008 3:25 pm
Yes that is exactly what I meant. I had it when I was in High School. You have to basically do nothing for a long time. I was bed ridden for 3 weeks. I was only allowed to walk to the bathroom and back. Then I was forced to do very little activity for much longer. It really can be very serious. The frequent blood tests for liver problems and cell counts sucks. It totally destroyed my soccer (football) season that year.
Michael
February 22, 2008 6:11 pm
Well, in that case Bradly, this makes you a winner of the "guess what Michael has got" post ;-) To be honest, I didn't think anyone would get it - but of course, having been struck down with it yourself, you know all about it. Do you want a review of http://www.bicyclefrenzy.com/ or some other website? Thanks again - everyone, for your support
The comments are closed.