Why do diseases have to have such strange names? Do you ever talk to someone who either has a disease or knows someone who does? I'm always impressed when they can roll those gigantic words off their tongue like it is everyday English. The disease itself has a name as long as your arm, then the medications involved are just as bad.

I bring this up because my husband was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. Of course, those of you in the know realize that the second disease I mentioned has recently been renamed human anaplasmosis.

You did know that, didn't you?

Heck, I'm still trying to pronounce ehrlichiosis and now I have to learn a new one. I was telling my brother about it the other night and he just laughed. He said he hopes he never gets a strange disease, because he seems happy with saying, "I have a cold" and doesn't want to have to deal with multi-syllable medical terms.

Fortunately, strong antibiotics will take care of Donnie's Lyme and ehrli, um I mean, anaplas....well, call it what you want, it's a deer tick disease. There, isn't that much easier to remember? That's exactly what I'm talking about - give these diseases a simple name so we can actually pronounce them.

Unfortunately, the doctor told Donnie he should start to feel better within 48 hours. He interpreted that to mean he could go back to work in 48 hours. When a second doctor called the other night to verify the diagnosis and make sure he was starting with the antibiotics, I told her that. She said he was more likely to be out of work anywhere from a week to a month.

Great. We're talking about an avid deer hunter who might be "under the weather" during the entire rifle season. Things could get ugly at our house.

On the plus side, his doctor told me she was very impressed with him, because he told her so much about his symptoms. This, after I called to get the whole story from her, because, well, you know how men and doctor appointments can be.

You can reach Mary Bruemmer at mary.bruemmer@pineriver journal.com