Amazon Swim (Martin Strel)
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DURING FEB 1 - APR 08, 2007 MARTIN STREL SWAM 5,268 KMS (3274 MILES) OF THE AMAZON RIVER! HE DEDICATED THE SWIM TO THE PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST.

Medical Report March 28, 2007

Martin has experienced the toughest week of his swimming from physical as well as emotional standpoint. The dermatitis problems on his scalp and groin are subsiding, however Martin a cutaneous larvae infection which is being treated.

He also developed an eye infection which seems to be healing well.

Though we have been successful in protecting him from sunburns, he maintains a sunburn over his chin.

On the 56th day of his continuous swimming, he is experiencing muscle pain and cramps in the erector spinae muscle groups, gluteus maximus, and posterior compartment of the thigh muscles. He has recently received massage treatments to alleviate some of this pain.

Martin has also developed new bone spurs on his metatarsal bones, and second toe of L foot despite full protection.

Martin’s weight ranges between 220 –224 lbs, and has remained constant for the last 3 and half weeks. He is continuing on mega doses of glutamine, Vit. C, and Vit B complex. He also drinks concentrated fructose and walnut oil.

His BP has been somewhat elevated in the last few days as he has experienced higher amounts of physical pain. His HR is staying in the normal range.

Conditions treated among the team members and crew members include: abrasion on L eyelid, Bladder and kidney infection, hypertension, cold, flu-like symptoms, pharyngitis, tonsilitis, an abrasion on the Left lower leg, bee-sting like insect bites on the neck, an hsv-1 infection that caused an ulceration of the upper lips, fungal infections of the big toe, and an abrasion of the nose.

We have had a severe case of viral conjunctivitis in a few crewmembers, chronic hypertension in 2 members, and bronchitis worrisome of pneumonia which is being treated with antibiotics.

A New team member arrived with a sprained L foot and complains of nightmares since he came on board, another team member jumped on a rock and delivered a severe blow to his calcaneous bone of the L foot and the tendons attached to it. After a week of healing by the naturopath on board, the pain and foot instability continued. Today I placed a foot brace and elastic dressing to stabilize the foot and administered NSAIDs for the pain.

I keep stressing the importance of malarial prophylaxis as we are in the endemic areas for malaria making sure that all of the Team members are mostly compliant with the prophylactic medications. The only exception to the malarial prophylactic treatments is the naturopath on board.

Greetings from the Jungle!