It was July 2003 that I set out on a journey to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to visit Edwin J Masters, the doctor involved in hand-to-hand combat with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the existence of Lyme disease in the Southern United States. Working with a few intrepid colleagues, Dr. Masters managed to generate powerful evidence for Southern Lyme, though his evidence was continually undermined.
For two days straight I sat with Dr. Masters in his oversized basement, reviewing document after document showing how data had been massaged to undermine patients and cast doubt on their disease. Ed Masters' story sheds light not only on Lyme disease but also the dangers we all face when medicine is politicized and studies are undermined.
The heroic Dr. Masters died on June 21 2009. In his honor, I'll spend several days retelling his sprawling, riveting, and most important tale.
Last summer, I helped my mom move to Ellington. She retired into the home my grandmother had built. I am supposed to inherit that same home one day to retire in.
Only last month, I picked up two ticks (found @ 2 and 3 days embedded) positive for Lyme Disease in Mountain Grove, MO --Bringing it home to Chicago.
My mom, at first didn't want to believe me that Lyme Disease exists there. This morning when I called her with yesterday's test results, she had to believe.
When I began my research, HE was my doc of choice. How sad I was to hear from his nurse that he was ill-but still I'd hoped he'd return with time.
The loss of this wonderful man will be felt by all he ever treated, and those who'd wished he could.
Sending up prayers for him and his family...I'm off to read about him.
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