I had the unimageable happen to me this past summer, I was bit by a mosquito IN MY BACKYARD IN HUNTLEY and contracted West Nile Virus. I was in Three Lakes, Wisc. when the full effects of the virus hit me, a guesstimate of four to five days after I was bit, I had cold-like symptoms throughout the night. I was sitting in the kitchen of our rented fishing cabin early morning when I realized I couldn’t stand. An ambulance was called and my 6-month journey began.
I was loaded into the ambulance and as they backed up, they struck a tree. That was the beginning of a long nightmare that included four hospitals and one rehabilitation center. It also included one minor heart attack, a case of Covid, and three bouts of pneumonia in a six-month span.
After the first hospital in Rhinelander was inadequate to care for my issues, I was transfered to my second hospital in Wausau where I underwent extensive testing. They ran extensive testing including a spinal tap that revealed West Nile Virus. After a monthlong stay in ICU, I was transferred to a long-term care facility.
After being housed for two months, I was again transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital for additional testing. After CT scans, MRIs, blood work and myriad of other tests It was affirmed to be West Nile. Feeding tubes and a ventilator were my best friends for months. After five and a half months of being bedridden, my arms and legs quit working, along with my voice.
My wife Sandy, who was by my side from morning to sundown, contacted everybody and anybody that had any power to get us back to Illinois. A doctor from St Luke’s took a liking to us and worked some magic behind the scenes. With his help and that of others, I wound up at Shirley Ryan Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago.
The nurses and therapists were incredible. After four weeks and three extended weeks I was released. I returned home to a large group of neighbors down my street waving American flags and chanting my name. I was welcomed home after six and a half months of misery. I receive therapy at Shirley Ryan’s out-patient facility in Arlington Heights three times a week. After a long arduous journey, I’m back home. I thank my friends, my family and in particular Sandy Casey, for all the prayers, well wishes, and visits.
After everything I’ve been through, I still hate mosquitos.
1 Comment
Brilliant!!!