My goodness, Dennis, what an ordeal. I've never heard of this malady. In may family, we did have a bout with desert diseases, when my Dad was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert in California. At age two, my brother developed a diagnosed case of "double pneumonia" and was near death for an extended period of time. God decided not to take him as he had plans for him. My brother is a minister in Tulsa, OK.
By the way, it was good to see your post. I've missed your participation here and on the other sites.
Alan, I agree with "Boz", you need to get your problem thoroughly checked. I'll be praying that you have not contracted something as serious as what Dennis experienced.
I can't argue this Black Confederate thing by myself! ;-)
Jim