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Well. Here’s something you didn’t even know you needed to be terrified of.
A healthy, 25-year-old Christian minister went to an Oakland, Calif., emergency room in September 2008, complaining of something in his eye, reports a case study in this month’s issue of The Annals of Emergency Medicine. An eyelash, maybe? A pesky speck of dust, perhaps? Or, ew, maybe a stray contact lens had wedged its way somewhere in there?
It’s just so much worse. Israel Orellana’s discomfort was caused by something called an African eye worm. That’s a worm. In his EYEBALL.
It’s an infection called loaiasis, a skin and eye disease caused by the loa loa, a parasitic worm endemic to West and Central Africa. (Side note: Do not do an image search for “loaiasis.” Seriously. Do not click here.)
In 2006, Orellana had spent 12 days in Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa, where he was preaching and helping out some missionary friends. Sometime while he was there, he had apparently been bitten by a deer fly, which is how the disease is transmitted to humans: The fly’s bite deposited larvae into his bloodstream, and those larvae grew into worms that crawled through his skin and into his eye.
The worms grew, traveling unnoticed throughout his bloodstream for almost two years, until one Sunday morning at church. “I started feeling like there was something in my eyeball, like there was a piece of dust in my eye,” says Orellana, who’s now 27 and lives with his wife in Oakland, Calif. Twelve hours later, it was still bothering him, and he and his wife studied the convex squiggle on the white of his eye in their bathroom mirror.
“In the white part of the eye there was an “s”-looking swivel,” says Orellana. He remembers his wife saying it looked like a worm, but neither one of them could believe something that horrifying until doctors confirmed their suspicions in the emergency room that night. “It was very small; you saw something like an ‘s’ moving around. It was pretty freaky.”
Not to be confused with river blindness, or onchocerciasis, loaiasis doesn’t damage vision. But when the creepy crawler moves across the eye, it can be irritating, even painful. “It can affect vision mainly because of local irritation; in general, the worm itself will usually migrate out of the eye eventually … unless you get repeat, repeat infections,” says Dr. Shannon Moffett, an emergency medicine doctor at Alameda County Medical Hospital in Oakland, Calif., who treated Orellana. Worst-case scenarios include damage to the brain, heart or kidneys.
An estimated 12 to 13 million people, mostly in West and Central Africa, are infected with the African eye worm; about 10 cases per year pop up in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
After Orellana arrived in the ER, he was treated with an oral medication called diethylcarbamazine, which kills the worms. Lucky for him, within just a few days, it worked.
Your turn, readers: What's the weirdest medical condition you've had? Tell us in the comments.
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One of my WORSE fears, aside from being bit by a shark, is getting one of these 'exotic' infections. OMG, he is a very lucky man to have gotten cured. The strange things that lurk out there is scary.
Don't worry! If you DO get bit by a shark, it'll run away... mainly since humans are one of the worst tasting meats in the world to most animals...... it's true... so sharks rarely bite people... and even when they DO they usually spit the meat back up.
HOLY S — — T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG. We are so lucky we have modern medicine. Too bad it is so darned expensive. He is one lucky guy. Could not imagine a nightmare like that. Talk about the heeby geebies (sp?). WHEW!
OMG I'd rather have them remove my eyeball than to think about how long it will take for the medicine to work. But, that's only one of the worms. Apparently there are more of them in his bloodstream? How gross! The nasty things that lurk out there truly are nightmares waiting to happen.
the 3 letter swearing that comes out of your mouth is uglier than the worm.
good thing some of us don't care letterman..
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aside from that..if you wanna see some really nasty diseases, it doesn't take long to surf around youtube videos before you start seeing tons of great diseases out there you never knew about. go ahead and search up some gangrene pictures. oh man those staph infections just look delicious.
I work at a eye clinic, and this has to be the weirdest thing I have seen, yet. However I think for me the worst part would be the discomfort that it causes.
This fellow wouldn't have this little problem if he wasn't trying to convert those who don't need converting. How about respecting whatever religious practices, if any, the locals follow and leave well enough alone?
Sometimes churches go to third world countries to build new schools or dig wells so people can have clean water first. They teach people how to perform new tasks, such as improved ways of farming. And while they're doing that, they're also telling people about God. You should do some research before you spout off.
Do good and help them with practical things, but leave their religious and cultural beliefs alone!
They teach people how to perform new tasks, such as improved ways of farming
Which takes them away from their nomadic way of life (which they have lived for thousands of years) and now they are victims of drought and starvation.
Seems to me all the Peace Corps and other do-gooders accomplish is making better, healthier natives. Why not give them computers and WiMax? Because that would make them First World people who would compete with us.
Wow! Who knew that these "3rd world people" were incapable of making decisions on their own! Who knew that a missionary could subvert their free will by simply preaching to them, or ruin their nomadic ways by showing them how to build sound structures. And here I am all naive and stupid thinking that all people have brains, common sense and an ability to choose a way of living that suits their personal goals and desires. I guess it serves that missionary right that he got infected with an eye worm! Oh yeah... THAT'S what this article is about...
Please edit your text down to your most fundamental premise: "I am all naive and stupid"
Really, that sums it up.
Rip, how do you know he was not respecting the culture? Are you god that you should decide what these people should believe or do they get a choice? And the same for Death and the rest of you-do the people get a choice about whether to continue to live nomadic or adopt modern ways, or are you god to say that they have to stay the way they were? I seriously doubt these missionaries were trying to convert anyone at sword point. Shouldn't the people get a choice what they want to believe just like you have? Or do you want them just to drink filthy water?
Despite the fact that this discussion board has turned into an unnecessary and irrelevant anti-Christian bashing page, I think halliwax was astute in his/her perceptions. Unfortunately, many societies around the world are condescended to, with 'superior' people believing that indigenous populations are somehow mindless and archaic. For example, the history channel just ran a 'documentary' on ancient alien visits that supposedly created many of the man-made wonders still in existence. Is it not possible they were intelligent enough to create those sites?
Second, many missionaries and charity organizations (Salvation Army, Red Cross) do wonderful things around the world without the expectation that those who benefit from their services will convert. If they are genuine Christians they recognize that their efforts are intended to reflect the love of Jesus, not cram anything down anyones throat. For those who unfortunately believe that modern Christians still go the way of Catholic missionaries in America (beginning in the fifteenth century), you are sadly mistaken.
Thirdly, the eye worm is gross!
Not bashing Christianity or these peoples' culture, just saying no one should choose for them what they should believe. People who bash missionaries act like they are god and can decide better than the people themselves what they should believe. I just wonder what gives the bashers the right to say that indigenous people all have to live the way they always have if the people themselves choose to live differently. Did our ancestors choose to live the way they always had or did they modernize?
No one can "choose" for someone else what they believe. Thats what free will is all about. Its your choice to believe in Jesus or not. No one can force you to choose, God doesnt even force people to believe in Him and He's God. Even if held at gunpoint, you can "say" you believe in something but belief in something is a choice/decision of the heart. Whether you believe in Christ, or worship another god or none at all...your choices will be shown in what you speak and if they are true to your core they will also reflect in how you act. Hence, this missionary was doing what Christians are called to do...help the poor, the children, the widows, show the love of Christ and spread the Gospel. The people that missionaries speak to have a "choice" to accept Jesus or not...just as we all do.
And it is YOUR business because...........
So you're saying that he is incorrect for thinking that someone else's could be incorrect? Yeah for postmodernism!
By the way, just from an objective utilitarian standpoint, tons of health problems in Africa (as one huge example) are amplified by religious beliefs, such as witch doctor practices. It would be really stupid if we just left them alone.
As a Christian who believes that belief in and discipleship of Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, I do approve of and wholeheartedly support Christian missionaries throughout the world. However, I do not believe in forcing one's beliefs down others' throats. More than anything Jesus advocated for love and acceptance, not hostile takeover and forced or coerced conversion. He attracted followers who were amazed at his love and compassion for the "untouchables" who then wanted to know more about what he stood for. In the same way, missionaries today selflessly serve needy people in other countries and are given the opportunity to explain the reasons for their service.
In example, my church has supported/funded the building of several wells for clean water in Africa. One of the videos of this effort told the story of a village that had previously been visited by Muslim missionaries. They had converted the town and built a Muslim school to continue the teachings but had then left for the next village leaving the people still starving and the children still dying of diarrheal illnesses. When the workers came to the village almost everyone turned out for the digging of the well which would help supply them with clean water. There was much rejoicing, however, at one point several of the villagers asked why the workers were doing this for them. One of the organization members explained that they were followers of Jesus Christ who commanded that they serve those in need. At this point many people in the village expressed desire to learn more about this God and others began singing praises thanking God for their new well. As you can see, these Christians did not come in shouting their beliefs and condemning the people as unbelievers. Rather they came in a loving and giving spirit and this naturally inspired the villagers to want to learn more about them. In this way the well and the clean water it would provide was a gift with no conditions or strings. However, the workers were able to use this opportunity to explain what motivated Christians in America to help people they didn't know halfway across the world. This is how missionaries should spread the Good News of Christ.
Note: I want to make it clear that I am not bashing Muslims or Muslim missionaries but rather telling events as they occurred. I am sure that there are many fine Muslim missionaries who greatly help the people they visit, just as there are Christian missionaries who force their ideas on others.
Way to be open minded. saying that guy got the eye thing because he was sharing his beliefs. Well since you just told us what you believe you better watch your eyes. I just love this one sided 'Tolerance'. Wake up America and get the worms our of your eyes!
I couldn't have said it better myself. When will all these "good" religious folks learn to just stay at home and proselytize to each other and quit trying to spread their superstitions to people who don't need it or want it. Missionaries and other religious people come into poor countries with food or other needed supplies and once they have the desperate with-in their grasp; it's preaching time. Shame on them all.
My god, what is with all these people here bashing what churches do? Churches do not go to 3rd world countries to only preach their beliefs. They go to help develop those countries. Adding innovation to water drawing, food production, etc. is not wrong, in fact, most 3rd world powers accept it with open arms, as they know they'll need it. Take for example every modern country out there. After their purpose is done, they start preaching as a 2nd prize, but churches do not force people to convert, they'll be content if even one person join.
@Halliwax actually all you have to do is look at American history Spanish history English history etc. and you will find that Christians did subvert many by preaching. (pardon the bad grammar) and when that didnt work to convert the 'heathens' they got mean. Christians in-slaved the American Indians made them live on church grounds,tend those grounds made them convert and beat the hell out of them. Spanish Christians did the same to the org. Mexican people then there was witchcraft and the England oh and the whole Catholic Protestant burning thing. bottom line is those who feel they are in the moral majority will do what ever they have to to"enlighten"others whether or not they want to be.That being said, the worm in the eye thing is nasty!!!!
I work at a eye clinic and this has to be the weirdest thing I have seen, yet. Although I would have to say the worst part for me would be the discomfort it causes. And as for the last comment, I don't believe it fair to say that because he was trying to spread the word of god, that he deserves this horrible parasite. I am myself not a religious person, but if others want to try and enlighten other people's life with prayer, I do not believe that they should be chastised for doing so.
I disagree in this case. Many religious missionaries, preachers, etc, who travel to these places typically provide aide for a price. Religion, beliefs, and teachings are the price! or they do not learn anything or eat. Who are we to dictate how these people should live if they want a culture of their own, we should encourage it, and help them in ways they want. Not our ways and religions. Let them decide for themselves.
No kidding. Yeah, the whole worm-in-eye thing sucks, but the whole idea of people going over to other countries to "share the gospel!" is sickening. Seems like that's what people really love to do, though; many religious folks think their way is the best (or only) way, and that everyone in the world, regardless of their own indiginous beliefs, should be "saved" by "receiving the word of jesus!" people use religion to do all kinds of f-ed up things...the world would be better off without all these fools running around doing stupid things in the name of god.
You can't make a decision without having choices. The people in these countries can and do make their own decisions. You ask, who are we to dictate how these people should live. Well, who are you to take away their God given right to choose. Religion is a privilage, not a price. The price has already been paid!
When I was a little girl, we loved rocky road ice cream. It was all I had ever known for a while. One day, an ice cream truck comes along with all these flavors and colors! I then was able to CHOOSE what I wanted. wow what a concept!
Previously, someone stated "This fellow wouldn't have this little problem if he wasn't trying to convert those who don't need converting"... to sum it up, it was an occupational hazard right? Does that mean that electricians deserve to be electrocuted because they go to a house or business to install wiring? Construction workers that work on skyscrapers up on tall, tall scaffolds...do they deserve to fall from their heights? What about surgeons trying to lives, if they get cut, do they deserve that too?
Way to go Jeffro48!! It is obvious that most of you are not Christians. God gives us a charge. Go be fishers of men. Which means preach the gospel so that everyone is given a choice. One person said that the natives have brains and can make their own choice about their way of life! That sums it up I think. They can choose to have a school built and they can choose to believe what the people are saying who built the school. Or water well or whatever the missionaries are doing. Be open minded people and go to church one Sunday or read the bible. God will come for us one day...will you choose eternal torment or will you choose eternal life.
I agree whole-heartedly with you Victoria. It's such a shame that most people do not believe in Jesus Christ. Let me tell you...the devil is a liar- he cannot stop the word and work of God. God's word must come to pass and spread to the four corners of the earth. This missionary is a living testament to the how MIGHTY and WONDERFUL GOD is- the devil will try but will NEVER prevail!!
I have to agree with those who question missionaries' motives. These people have a belief system that works just fine for them. Who is anyone to say theirs is better?
I like how christians always threaten everyone else with "eternal torment." I say you should worry about yourselves.
Culture is not sacred either! Just because something is a cultural tradition does not automatically make it right, nor does it make it healthy or positive for those in that country. To argue that no one should ever "interfere" with anyone else's culture is naive, not to mention completely impossible. Culture evolves...and thank God it does!
At least as many evil things have been done in the name of culture as in the name of religion (far more when you realize that many "religious wrongs" stem from culturally-biased interpretation of religious teachings). Don't believe me? Here are a few examples:
Genocide...cannabilism...slavery...burning widows to death on their husbands' funeral pyres...rape and sexual trafficking of children...wanton killing of critically endangered animals for "magic" potions...similarly, killing of people who are albinos to use their body parts for "magic" potions (just read about that in the newspaper last year)...abuse or torture of the mentally ill
...Shall I continue?...
...female cirumcision/genital mutilation...crowds cheering on the executioners at public beheadings or disembowelings...police and judges who routinely solicit bribes...oppression of women....oppression of minorities...("oppression" encompasses everything from being denied education or the right to vote, to being forbidden to move about freely, to being forced or forbidden to marry, to a husband's freedom to beat or kill his wife for offenses as minor as burning a meal)...
...Need I continue? I could...but for the sake of time, I'll stop here.
Yes, some of you could argue that not ALL those things are bad, but only a truly ammoral person could believe that they are all beautiful practices that should be preserved simply because they are (or were) part of an established culture.
It is true that no one culture is, in its entirety, better than any other. It is equally true that no culture is ALL good. There are good things and bad things in every culture.
Respecting other cultures does not require us to be blind to those aspects of them that are harmful. And seeking to change the negative elements in another culture is not equivalent to destroying it. On the contrary, seeking to bring culture change (respectfully) can be admirable. And culture change can bring great benefit to the local people, whether change is wrought by offering education, or sharing technology, or by preaching a faith that teaches people to live with integrity and to treat others with love and grace.
As for people already having a "belief system that works perfectly well for them" - in my experience, people who are content with their beliefs don't tend to convert to other faiths, whether Christianity or anything else. Those who turn to Christianity as a result of missionaries preaching are those who find their belief systems DO NOT work well. Is offering them an alternative to religious beliefs that are unsatisfying really so bad?
Having been on many mission trips to various places and seen various cultures I have yet to see any fellow Christians shove religion down people's throats. We go to these countries to provide health care, build schools and homes. Even though these things are done in the name of God, its not like we will refuse people these services because they are not christian or do not agree with our personal beliefs... I think all of you people bashing missionarys need to get more educated, not to mention give the inhabitants of third world countries more credit. They may be poor, that doesn't mean they are stupid and can't make decisions for themselves.
Heidi and JustMe, points well taken. I agree that the practices you cited in certain cultures are deplorable and should be changed. And most missionaries do a lot of good work and set a good example.
That being said, Christianity DOES have a history of coercion and self-righteousness, (as do some other religions). I am just against proselytizing in general.
This comment is not directed at a specific post but toward the discussion as a whole. While this conversation seems to have come to rest on missionaries and Christianity more particularly, it seems to me that what is being discussed is quite another thing altogether. Perhaps some missionaries (of all faiths) have been abusive. Perhaps some have required payment in the form of conversion (which would most likely be a misinformed and faux conversion anyway). Personally, I would agree there have been both. Perhaps there have been missionaries who have asked absolutely nothing, including even a "voice" to share their faith. Perhaps there have been some laboring to show love, and only hoping to share their faith one day (as if loving someone and wishing that they might one day allow you to share the things that are most important to you is equivalent to not truly loving them to begin with). Personally, I would agree there have been both. None of these possibilities, however, reflect the underlying premise of this entire matter.
The underlying premise of this discussion is the freedom to share one's viewpoints with others. This discussion would be the same if we were speaking of one's political views (are political activists, that is, the ones you agree with, okay?) To elevate one's political views above one's faith-related views is fallacy since one's political views are almost always reflective of one's faith views. The question being asked here (implicitly) is "should a person have the right to share personal views with others who are willing to hear?" In order to contribute to the missionary conversation directly I would be forced to engage in such tremendous stereotyping - stereotyping of Christians, Missionaries, International members of the world community, to name a few - that I will address, instead, the underlying premise.
Yes, I think you should be able to share your personal experiences, thoughts, values, opinions, likes and dislikes, and anything that you wish, SO LONG as you ask permission and it is given freely.
I am sure there are some who think this should not be permitted across the board. To those who feel this way, I say that is your right as well. But it doesn't make logical sense to me that you feel comfortable sharing on this board what you think missionaries are like (or what "sickening" mischief they might be engaged in), or what you think Christianity is worth. For that matter, it doesn't make sense that you would express any view with the online public. Reason would require that you remain consistent with your views. To calmly state that those with faith should not be permitted to respectfully share, or should be disrespected for doing so, is to show such an obvious bias, that making any attempt to sound erudite proves immediately foolish. Atheism can be as offensive to the Christian as Christianity can be to the atheist - A conservative as offensive to a liberal as a liberal may be to a conservative.
So, I have not met so many hundreds and thousands of missionaries to render judgement of their respective methods (though I tend to think they vary far to much to generalize, and I am not comfortable generalizing to that extent either), and I have certainly not met the gentleman with the eye worm. Because of this, I don't feel comfortable assuming he got what he deserves. What I can say is that if freedom to have voice; freedom to share our lives with others; and freedom to speak our opinion and mind...to those WILLING to hear, is okay in our world, then I guess it is okay to share one's faith.
Either we are discussing the right (or not) to share one's faith (or a particular faith), or we are discussing individual rights to express one's opinions to willing others. If it is the former, then there is not only significant bias and prejudice involved, but also hypocrisy on the part of many of the participants as we all share our views on the matter in this public forum. If it is the latter, perhaps we need to recast our vote in terms of what the implicit argument more accurately might be.
Jeez, people, weren't we talking about worms in people's eyes? Then everybody gets all philisophical and preachy. If you want a discussion for or against religion, do it on a blog for that, not here.
woow. im not sure what to say. in the past couple months MSN Today has led me to story after story filled with non-sensical basher comments. you'd be surpried how many are stupid arguments about God and Africa.
I'm Catholic born in DC and raised in virginia, zimbabwe, and mozambique and traveled the world. the only thing that bugs me about all your arguments are the way most of you see africans as helpless and backwards 'natives'. you guys talked about how the natives don't know any better, and aren't aware of choices. what makes you any better? on what basis, logic, or experience do you treat them as inferiors? none. you like to talk but aren't aware of what you'r saying. what do you know? seek to better yourselves before you better the 'natives'. ignorance is one thing, but you dont see any of them preaching to their buddys about how the US sucks. they are people just like you. don't be retarded. In case you haven't noticed, turn on the tv, the world cup is in africa.
i hate to break it to all of you who obviously haven't realized, but taking the mozambican example, christianity has been around since the 1500s and today is nearly 60% of the people, along with islam. where do you think that came from? Muslim traders and portuguese colonial rule. Nothing new folks. like the dude in the article, equatorial guinea was both a french and spanish colony and today is mostly roman catholic. no 'shoving down throats' today - not anymore, that is.
God is love. don't put on airs and don't try to tell others what your truth is. love. read your history, open your minds, and get out of the f*ckin suburbs
My skin was crawling and I had my hand over my mouth while reading this!!! It gave me the shivvvers!! I'm so grateful that the medicine was able to get rid of it. 2 years is a long time to have worms in your body without noticing it....how creppy......
My kid brought home what we thought was the flu. It was an adenovirus which causes flu symptoms. However, I somehow spread the virus to my eyes. I had the worst case of conjunctivitis you've ever seen. My eyes actually oozed blood. It was like a horror movie. I wore sunglasses at home to avoid scaring the kids. I was very contagious-plus I had nasty flu symptoms and light sensitivity- so I was in isolation at home & off work for 2 weeks. Fortunately I recovered completely. Preschoolers bring home the nastiest bugs!
CA Chris, I had that VERY same thing happen to me, early 2009 (and I thought I was the only one). In my case, they believe that I caught the virus I had in my eyes during a flight from the east coast. I had to go to the eye center EVERY DAY for over a week. Once it cleared up, THEN they told me, "Whew, you had us worried there; we thought you could go blind". By far the worst eye condition I have ever had, but I sure wouldn't want an infestation, either!
Why is MSNBC showing this gross out article?
B/C technically it is a medical article.
That is gross, worm/parasites are the worst...crawling all over & inside your body when you don't know it!
If you actually looked at you skin right now there is little tiny microorganisms crawling all over your body that you don't even realize are there unless you looked through a microscope to see them!
Aaaaauuuugggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
People hate the idea that God isn't cool with whatever way you are living... He is not... God sent his son Jesus to restore us from our messed up way of living, but we are sometimes too high and mighty to amit that we are wrong, or that what WE want to isn't what is right. People hate to be judged... But God s righteous, an all knees will bobw and every tongue confess.
Amen! absolutly right.
Whatever you say.
God doesn't even exist, unless you are thinking of it as existing as an idea.
My question is... if this happened in 2008, why are they doing a story on it, in 2010?
Bad news is the media's stock and trade. Read any good news lately?
it was un-noticed for that long as said in the article
Hmm, God is not cool with what we are doing? And who told you this? God? Hey, got a question for all you religious people out there that believe that God is the end all be all of existence..
OK, so you believe that before God, there was nothing, that God created everything? Yes? OK, that settled, when God created light, the planets us, etc., what did "he" create them out of? Since nothing existed before God, I assume he created them out of "himself" correct?
Ya see, to make this plain, if god "decided" to make everything, where would his parts come from? Since there wasn't anything else, wouldn't everything have to come from "him"? A "piece" of "him"?
So, isn't everything just a piece of God? So when we argue, love, kill and rejoice with each other, isn't that just God arguing, loving, killing and rejoicing with "himself"? And when "he" supposedly chastises us, isn't he then chastising "himself"?
Ya see, if you don't agree, then you must, logically, think that we exist apart from God, that is, outside of "Him", automatically making God NOT everything..hmmm..things outside of God's control? That automatically defines him as NOT omnipotent.
This isn't of course, the only issue with the "logic" of religions that believe that God is all, but its an interesting one..I know you relgious folks either won't understand this or if you do, make up some crazy excuse why what I've said isn't right, but sorry, that logic is irrefutable..what doesn't make sense is YOUR story..
I am 36 and when I was 10 my spleen ruptured after I was hit by a car. Up until I was 30, I have had a child, and ultrasounds for female issues as most women do. When I was 30 I had an ultrasound because of discomfort I was having in my Kidney. As the technician looks on the monitor, she grabs a collegue and they are both looking at the screen saying. "what is that?". Of course I get really concerned and they asked if I had Endometriosis. I said no. I left and the lab calls me after reading my scan and said that I shouldn't worry, but there are 2 large masses in my abdomen! The largest is on the back of my uterus and the other is between my tailbone and intestines! I go to my gynocologist and he could figure out what they were either looking at an ultrasound. Said it didn't look like cancer since it has fluid in the center. He advises to have surgery to find out what it was. After surgery, he tells me it took twice as long, because there were so many more smaller ones on my intestines and throughout my abdomen he couldn't see on the ultrasound. The pathologist a few days later calls my Dr. and is yelling at him that my spleen had ruptured. LOL!!! My Dr. responds, yeah, she lost it when she was 10! Turns out that it didn't just rupture 21 years earlier...it exploded! Because it was my own DNA, it started growing back throughout my abdomen but it took that long before you could see it. Thank god, it was nothing.
Did anyone google search loaiasis?
I certainly didn't, it SERIOUSLY warns you not to google or "click here", so I'm not taking any chances. ha ha ha
Ha Ha, I'm too scared but a little curious. The picture makes my eye itch!
Ya, but its not to gross.
Seems this story is incomplete; what happens to the worm when it's dead......in yer eyeball?!
most likely your opthamologist would go in and remove it.
I will never eat spaghetti again.
I got news for everybody. You got billions of microscopic creatures living inside and on your body.
The keyword you used being microscopic... that worm didn't look so microscopic to me.
I had an HPV (wart) on my tonsil -- had to have it cut out by the dentist. Never have figured out how I got it. (Dirty minds--shame on you--and not true!)
(Dirty minds--shame on you--and not true!)
lol
I'm pretty sure it just gets flushed out of your system. :)
Got news for everybody. You have billions of microscopic creatures living in and on your body.
I think we are all missing the point merely speaking is called sharing a view, now if they had stayed and forced them to attend and make they all believe in their views is still another. I sure we can at least agree, that the real focus was to share words of god, while applying a helping hand. The helping hand is providing some minor technical help, and bring some basic skills to light to leave these poor people in a better position. To grow food, and drink clean water. And thanking god is merely the point they share while doing this.
On the other hand very few of us travel to these areas for any reason let a lone to help dig wells and provide technical advice and expertise. So why get upset when someone does? WTF come on folks it is not hurting you or your way of life. Be happy someone cares I'm happy he does this good for him, we could all use a few humbling experiences to make us understand.
One more thing as we have become a global society, we are seeing more of the unusual things this eye worm is just one of many.. Keep on trucking!
I seen something like this the other day on a show on TV where people had worms in weird places. It is very painful looking. I have only one more thing to say, how come I read these comments and it is about this man with a worm in his eye, well you people wanna make it about GOD. If these people in Africa except these ministries in there country why cant you just leave it alone.You dont even live there. That is the problem with this country. GOD is Good all the TIME.............
God wasn't all that good to this man's eye. See? I brought the conversation back to the original story. You're welcome.
Look how much good the Catholic church did for the Inca and Aztec indians in South America a few hundred years ago. Leave these people alone and let them live and worship as they always have. Every religion mistakenly thinks that theirs is the only one that will get anyone to heaven.