Mother Nature's revenge??? NOCARDIOSIS!!!

@GreatMartin (23672)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
April 13, 2021 6:39pm CST
I don't know how, why, when, what or if anything particular made me fall in love with Mother Nature but I remember being entranced by no matter what she presented me with whether it was New York snowstorms, Florida's hurricanes, California earthquakes, Tennessee tornadoes or roses in our Bronx front yard blooming or the white peonies in Lake Hiawatha spreading their perfume over Nokomis Avenue. I still remember my first trip to Miami, getting off the train and being greeted by rows and rows of Birds of Paradise! Over the years I have had dogs starting with Butch in Pelham Parkway to having 50-gallon saltwater fish tanks in my Memphis office and 25 gallon freshwater fish tanks to at one time having 23 birds---budgies, cockatiels and finches (no one told me they were 'worse' than rabbits when it came to breeding!) who had free reign of my apartment. Maybe it was after years of smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day for 30 years but all of a sudden I couldn't have dogs because their hair affected my breathing just as I had to get rid of my 23 birds because of their dander. Without any pets around I started my indoor gardens growing flowers, vegetables and enjoying each bloom. The pictures above I took 2 days ago with peppers growing, geraniums blooming and the 'holiday' cactus (upper right) blooming for Ramadam!!! Long story short--I have had breathing problems for the past 6 months and, yesterday, finally, I was diagnosed with Nocardiosis which is caused by dirt, soil, earth dust--if you want to gain some knowledge just download google and/or Wikipedia--this is just a couple of lines from the latter: " The Nocardia bacteria are found in soil around the world. People contract this disease by either inhaling contaminated dust or if soil containing Nocardia bacteria gets into an open wound.[" Without pointing fingers, I have been using bags of soil from the same company for decades and I just hope that wasn't the cause of it. I am starting to take 6 tablets a day--and they are horse-size tablets--of Sulfamethoxazole and may have to take them for 6 months to a year if not longer and first have to see if they will even work! Do I have to get rid of the plants? I think I know the answer to that but don't want to ask my doctor---yet! Okay, Mother Nature what did I do to you? I've always praised you, posted pictures of you in all your glory, told people that no way could they be bored with all the pictures you made every day of the year--why after taking my dogs, birds, fish from you are you taking my plants?!?!? WHY???
13 people like this
12 responses
@much2say (55669)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Apr 21
Oh my gosh. The thought of soil with health issues never occurred to me. And I know you have had your plants for a long while - so why does this happen now??? I hope you can be "cured" of this disease and meanwhile be able to keep your beloved plants.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
Never occurred to me either--Mother Nature can be cruel but I still love her!
2 people like this
@much2say (55669)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Apr 21
@GreatMartin I know . . . I guess she keeps us on our toes .
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
20 Apr 21
@much2say Actually this knocks you off your toes--0 strength!
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69909)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Apr 21
Maybe you won't have to. Maybe the treatment will work and you won't need to get rid of them. Or, you could try a different soil?
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
Right now I am concentrating on getting rid of this infection!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
14 Apr 21
I have known people who had allergies to houseplants in soil, but they just switched to cacti and succulents. I have a feeling their problem was mold in the soil.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
I don't know what causes it--all I know is I want to get rid of it!!
1 person likes this
@kareng (59287)
• United States
14 Apr 21
Oh sorry to hear this! Wow, that is a long time to have to treat something. It sounds like it has sulfa in it. I'm very allergic to sulfa so hope I don't get this. Very odd indeed and I hope you get better sooner than later!
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
Yes it is a Sulphur base--I just hope it works!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44250)
• Wapello, Iowa
14 Apr 21
So, if these tablets work, can you keep taking them and keep your plants, too?
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
I doubt it but don't want to verify yet with my doctor!!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44250)
• Wapello, Iowa
15 Apr 21
@GreatMartin Well, don't give up hope yet.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
15 Apr 21
@xander6464 My name IS HOPE!!!!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79929)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Apr 21
Sorry to hear this but perhaps taking those tablets your system will get what it needs and you don't have to get rid of the plants, however, I would rather know you are healthy and safe and sound which is the most important thing many blessings to you
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
Hopefully the tablets will clear up the infection and then I'll grow artificial plants!!! Thanks
2 people like this
@jstory07 (139725)
• Roseburg, Oregon
14 Apr 21
That is really sad. I think you will have to get rid of those plants. At least until the treatment works.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
I was thinking of giving my plants to neighbors but first I have to find out if THAT would be safe!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471468)
• Switzerland
14 Apr 21
OH NO!!! This is not at all a good news. What do you think to do now with your plants? You can wait and see if the medications you are taking are helping you to get rid of this problem.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471468)
• Switzerland
15 Apr 21
@GreatMartin I would not rush to give the plants away, just wait a little time and see if the medications work.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
15 Apr 21
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
I was thinking of giving them to neighbors but then again probably not!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
14 Apr 21
So sorry to hear that. Hopefully the pills will do their job and you can keep your beloved houseplants.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
15 Apr 21
I could be taking the pills anywhere from 6 months to a year!!! Who knew potting plants could get you a hard to cure lung infection?!?!/
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
18 Apr 21
@DianneN The 3 HORSE SIZE Sulphur pills are really playing havoc with my body!!!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
17 Apr 21
@GreatMartin I certainly never realized that. Get cured soon!
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43440)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
15 Apr 21
Oh goodness! It's hard to give up something you admire and you've been doing for years. Perhaps you can get artificial or silk flowers that look like the real thing. Or buy the plants and place them in a mini green house. Please do take all the required pills and get well soon!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
15 Apr 21
I am popping THE pills!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
17 Apr 21
Wait, what if you use mask while gardening to keep dust away? Your garden is very helpful giving you food.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
17 Apr 21
I wear gloves and a mask whenever I am playing with the plants!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
18 Apr 21
@oahuwriter And me!!!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
17 Apr 21
@GreatMartin Hmm, and still norcadia bacteria problem! I know what, spray Lysol, it kills 99% of everything, including covid-19.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Apr 21
Oh wow. It is good to know the diagnosis. I hope the meds will help and you can keep your plants.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Apr 21
I am being stupid--I should ask the doc about the plants but I KNOW WHAT HE WILL SAY and I don't want to hear it!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
15 Apr 21
@CarolDM ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Apr 21
@GreatMartin You never know until you ask.
2 people like this