Response to Ben Fogle's "life's not so rosy for dogs"

In response to Ben Fogle's Country Diary

Dear Sir/Madam,

As a fellow sufferer of leishmaniasis who has been treated nowhere
near as quickly and efficiently as Ben Fogle, I read his Country Diary
(25th April 2009) with disgust. His assertion that now he is cured,
his readers should now be concerned that "life may not be so rosy for
dogs" is an insult to the two million HUMANS around the world who are
diagnosed with this disease every year, many of whom will die due to
inadequate healthcare, maybe due to research funds being channelled
towards helping dogs.

Incredibly little is known about the disease and treatment is complex
using pentavalent antimonials which are eighty years old. They are
toxic, may cause pancreatitis and anaemia as well as headaches,
abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting. No one is interested in
research as the disease is of the third world and so those suffering
generally have no money.

I find it incomprehensible that Ben Fogle chooses to use his platform
as a celebrity to advertise the cause for helping dogs with the
disease while many people around the world suffer a huge amount more
than he has, yet receive no mention.

Yours faithfully,

Girish Gupta, Manchester

Second Visit to Consultant

Reassuring again, though no real step forward. The first biopsy and second that was taken on 19th March came back negative and consultant would now send over slides to the top histopathologist in the country. Another wait.

Email to Uni Staff

Hi,

The second biopsy results came back yesterday inconclusive again.
Today I saw my consultant at North Manchester. Though reassuring in
what he said and telling me not to worry, it was basically a nice way
of saying, "We don't know." Further tests are being conducted and
other people becoming involved. This will take another three weeks at
least. This means that exams themselves shouldn't be affected (as I
will hold off treatment until they are completed) and I will be able
to sit them as normal so nothing to worry about on that front.

On a personal level, I am reassured by the consultant but obviously
quite frustrated about the time that this is taking and the lack of
certainty. I will find out how to present my case to the University's
Mitigating Circumstances Committee at some point soon, as _________
suggested.

Thanks for your help.

Girish