Posted on 08/18/2006 7:46:28 AM PDT by SmithL
NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen remained hospitalized Thursday to allow doctors to control a recurring fever they believe may have been caused by a tick bite, his office said.
Bredesen, 62, has been at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville since Monday night after becoming ill with a severe headache and high fever.
The governor said in a statement issued by his office that doctors are "awaiting test results to determine, conclusively, whether the cause of my symptoms was a tick bite."
"In the meantime, I’m working to beat back a stubborn fever that comes and goes," he said. "Until that fever subsides for good, the doctors have advised me to remain at Centennial, and I’m taking their advice."
Bredesen said he was still following state business while recovering and is catching up his newspaper reading. He was forced to cancel a Wednesday speech to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which is in Nashville for its annual meeting.
When contacted by The Associated Press on Thursday, a spokeswoman at Centennial Medical Center said a privacy law prevents the hospital from discussing a patient’s case.
Spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said she did not know if doctors believed Bredesen had been exposed to Lyme disease.
She also didn’t say when the governor may have encountered a tick, but said he enjoys outdoor activities like fishing, and has had several outdoor events in recent weeks as he campaigns for re-election.
I was in Tennessee in April and staying at a very nice cabin, when at 3:00 in the morning... I felt something on my face. Turned on light and it was a tick and found another one on the sheets. Packed up at 3:00 in the morning and drove the 18 hours back to dry hot Texas!
I'm not a phan of Pharoah Phil, but I send him prayers for a speedy recovery.
LOL!!!!!
Geez. First decent governer we've had in a long time. By decent, I mean not openly corrupt.
Hope he gets better soon.
I've been through Meningitis brought on by Lyme Disease - it's NOT fun. Hope he's better soon.
The tick infestation has been especially bad this year.
"Spokeswoman Lydia Lenker said she did not know if doctors believed Bredesen had been exposed to Lyme disease."
8 years ago my father passed away, same exact way. He got a Lyme Disease from a deer tick. Crazy thing is we live in Nevada, in a flat area, and I have never seen deer near their place.
He died of kidney failure. Only good thing was all the family was there, we each had a chance to say goodbye while he was coherent, and he went on to a better place, with not much pain.
Prayers.......
To Governor Bredesen,
I have been bitten at least 10 times by the black legged tick also called deer tick. I am awaiting blood test results for Lyme Disease. Please know that local laboratories may show a false negative. There is a company in Palo Alto, California called IGeneX which tests for all tick borne illnesses. They can be found on the internet.
Best wishes for your recovery.
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