(Bullseye: true story. I get such a kick writing about actual events. True life stories. The following actually happened to dear friends of mine, and you just can’t make this stuff up.)
So hey, hope you’re having a great weekend friends! I am. Jon and I ran away to the tundra, Quebec City this weekend. -15° this morning. And that was without the windchill. Can’t wait to tell you all about it soon. But for today… Bullseye. Enjoy, hope you smile.
She was concerned. Actually, she was worried. While changing for bed one night, she noticed the bright red mark in the center of her husband’s back. A closer inspection revealed a Bullseye appearance, and she feared the worst. It must be a tick bite, she thought apprehensively. She researched extensively on WebMD. Learning that lyme disease needs immediate treatment, she hastily called his primary doctor for an appointment. But it was two days before they could squeeze him into the schedule.
Meanwhile, more symptoms appeared. He felt lethargic, achy, out of sorts…even depressed. The day for his appointment arrived.
The primary doctor, mystified by the large red Bullseye mark and accompanying symptoms, was convinced it was not a tick bite or lyme disease. He’d never seen anything quite like it before.
He referred the patient to an excellent local dermatologist. The dermatologist was also baffled. He snapped digital pictures from various angles and forwarded them on to a respected colleague for a second opinion.
The patient was sent home, where he nervously awaited a call back from the dermatologist’s office. He mixed himself a drink and stretched out on the recliner, trying to relax.
His thirteen year old son, playing video games, casually asked him about the many hours he’d spent in the hot tub as of late. “Maybe you propped up against the intake valve,” he suggested.
An impromptu hot tub visit confirmed that the Bullseye on his back was indeed the exact circumference of the hot tub intake valve.
His lethargy and achiness quickly dissipated as his mood brightened, recalling his wallet was only two co-pays lighter. Suddenly, he felt like a million bucks.
First world problems can be difficult to diagnose and even name. But here’s my best shot: “Hot tub hickey syndrome”.
I remember following this saga as it was unfolding. We were all so concerned. Then I laughed so hard I actually cried to hear the diagnosis.
(I post recipes during the week and muse on the weekends…thanks so much for dropping by!)
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Carina says
Hilarious! Glad he was well, and could carry on enjoying the hot-tub. Ha! And great to hear that you are on a little get-away,too. Hope you have a wonderful time! Xoxo
Allie says
Hi Carina, thanks for laughing along! I got so tickled by this story. We had such a nice, quiet weekend in Quebec City and no emergencies at home, that was the biggest gift! It was good to be away and now good to be home. Hope you have a great week. xo
Marilyn Sylvester says
Hmmm ….. so he seemed to have all those symptoms of Lyme disease…..Ah, the power of suggestion…..
Allie says
Bingo, Marilyn! The power of suggestion is just that, powerful!
nancy mcmahan says
My first smile of the day. I think that thirteen year old deserves a co-pay. Enjoy your time away.
Allie says
Oh that’s so funny. I’ll have to tell his mother that. At least a co-pay, right? We did have a nice time away, thank you. I couldn’t believe how cold it still is in Quebec City. Hope you had a good weekend too!
Tracy says
Hilarious! Who would have thought?! What a wise child to come up with the diagnosis. I just love the diagnosis name! Hee, hee….. I Can not wait to hear about your Quebec adventure. Have fun and stay warm my friends!
Allie says
Yes, a very wise child! You would know, friend. 🙂 I remember tears just streaming down my face when we finally heard the diagnosis. So so funny. xo
Christy Smith says
It is nice to laugh first thing in the morning! Love that funny and true story. Mind over matter worked in reverse here….what was the matter was influencing his mind and affecting his symptoms! Enjoy Quebec!!
Allie says
Hey Christy, glad you laughed too. You are so right, mind over matter in reverse. I hadn’t thought of it like that, but so true.
Susie Mandel says
Love it!! And can’t wait to hear about Quebec City!
Allie says
Thank you Susie! It was pretty funny when it happened. I’m just downloading my pics from Quebec City and planning to post about it this Saturday. It was like a little Europe and so charming. I really, really think you and J would love it.
Ann says
LOL—-too funny! And you are right—“you can’t make this stuff up”!
Allie says
Ha ha. Funny how our best entertainment can practically be in our own backyard. (And it’s free!) 🙂
Aunt Pinkie says
Funny story! Smart son!
Allie says
Thanks Aunt Pinkie. xo
Kellie says
??? fun to read! And I can’t wait to hear about Quebec!
Allie says
Hey thanks Kellie! It was fun to write too. Looking forward to telling you about Quebec City, hoping to post about it this weekend. A fun European feel and not so far away! The exchange rate was super helpful.
Linda Jenkins says
Love this tale. I especially enjoyed the fact that the symptoms of lethargy, etc. so quickly. Out of the mouths of babes! Thank goodness it was only two co-pays!
Allie says
Too funny, huh? Yup, the mouths of babes. I got such a kick that the dermatologist sent out pictures to his colleagues, etc. He had NO IDEA!!! I’m sure that has gone down in the record books in that dr. office.
Denise Q. says
Too Funny, well now that we know about the hot tub.
Allie says
I know Denise. The first few days were a little stressful and then, the punch line! Ba dum bum. (And pls. blow a kiss to Barry for me!)
Mandi Korn says
What a great story, I am glad that he was ok, and that they have this story as a happy memory in their life and not a tragic one. I have purple toes right now and have no idea why, went to the doctor and I am awaiting blood results. I truly think its the change in climate for me…..moving from flip flop weather year round to sock weather most of the time, is taking a toll on my feet. I hope I have the same outcome as your friend:o)
Allie says
Hey thanks Mandi, you’re right. It could’ve been a very tragic story really. I have close friends who have lyme disease and it’s been very, very difficult. Not funny at all. So I’m sorry to hear about your toes, friend. I hope you’ll let me know what’s going on. And sure hope everything comes out ok with the blood tests results. Keep me posted if you can. xo
Karen Espalin says
Hickies…..never been into them.
Hot tubs…..love them.
I’m sure there was relief all around.
Enjoy your break,
Karen
Allie says
I must agree on the hickies, my friend. And we’ve never had our own hot tub, but there’s something magical about being in an outdoor hot tub when it’s snowing out. We had that delightful experience a few winters ago at a friend’s time share in Newport RI. It was snowing like CRAZY and the steam from the hot tub was coming up and we were trying to stay as submerged as we could. It was awesome, exciting. Such a nice weekend we just had up in Quebec City, Karen. No emergencies at home, so that was the biggest gift. I’m hoping to post about it this weekend. Hope your weekend was good too!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
That is too funny, Allie! Wish all illnesses or life’s little mishaps could be chalked up to a hot tub hickey! Glad your friend is okay! Thanks for the laugh, girlfriend! Cheers! Xoxo
Allie says
You are so welcome for the laugh, Cheyanne, and I’m so glad my friend was ok with me sharing it here. (I did ask!) It really gave us a lot of laughs. Have a wonderful week my friend. XO
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Hahaha – I am so glad that the only ailment your friend suffered from was a Hot tub hickey! And haha – I bet he felt like a million bucks when he found out the root of his ailment! 🙂
A few years back, I was bitten by a tick, fortunately, I didn’t get any bullseye rash, but I did develop a rather nasty fever as 1/2 the bugger was stuck in me – after doc removed it and put me on antibiotics all was well though!
Allie says
Oh I’m so glad you didn’t have any ill effects from that bite Shashi. Is lyme disease all the way down south now? I honestly don’t know. But around here it’s rampant in both people and animals, lots of dogs. It’s really sad. And seems to only improve if it’s caught early early. That’s why the bullseye rash is actually quite a gift, because it alerts the person bitten that they need to get treatment asap. So glad to hear you had nice weather this past weekend and were able to enjoy it! Our day is coming, hopefully soon! Have a great week friend!
Eva says
Je crois que le fils de ta copine sera un bon “docteur”. Tu as toujours des histoires rigolotes à nous raconter! Bonne semaine mon amie ! xoxo
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
That’s funny, Allie. Glad your friend is okay! Enjoy your time.
Ryan D says
This just happened to me, at first we were like WTF
Then I remember I was laying against the jets directly for a long while and it was starting to be uncomfortable but I was trying to massage out a knot in my back so I stayed and boom double bullseye hickey, its wicked cause it looks exactly like ring worm or a tick bite.