In July, we went camping at David Crockett State Park near Lawrenceburg. Bev and I took David for a camping trip despite the threat of rain. Max preferred to stay home. We got set up just in time for the rain to begin. We received inches, and inches of rain. Between showers, we did a bit of hiking. But Thursday, we got word that Granny Johnson was fading fast, so we packed up our gear and headed for Cullman. Little did I know I'd picked up a few hitchhikers. Thursday night, I discovered the first 2 ticks attached at my waist band. I got up and removed them and got David out of bed to recheck him for the same. We took the camper home the next morning and Bev drove back to Cullman. Saturday morning, Granny J. expired. That evening Sara came home accompanied by 2 of her friends and while we were dining out, I discovered another tick, this one behind my knee. Sunday morning we drove up to be there for Granny's viewing. By late that evening I felt like I had the flu. I took to bed early and took some Ibuprofen. Next morning I was better and we managed to have the funeral without incident. Then home for work and the flu like symptoms came back. After a consult with the ER physician, I was told to take Doxycycline. All week I continued to have the flushed, flu-like symptoms but they waxed and waned. I determined to take the boys on to their summer Florida trip despite the flushed, bad feeling days and coldness. The next few weeks became something of a series of unfortunate events. I had to wait to see Dr. G. Then the ID doctor wasn't in town and I had to wait again. Over all this period, nothing happened quickly. When I finally got to see Dr. S, mostly I got platitudes and, from his nurse, some sympathy. Move ahead 2 weeks that it took to get the additional lab work and CT, and he tells me I just have to get over it. I'm still getting over it but I think I eventually will be able to. I believe this because I've continued to attempt to train for the Marine Corps Marathon. For some reason I just won't quit on it. Now I have just a month and a week left to train. I'll either make it or fail in the trying.