Patriots Fan Jeff Fuller EEE Victim Thread

[Ian]

Many of you probably already know about this, but I wanted to pass this along because the story is pretty staggering, and has ended up impacting one of our fellow fans.

This message comes from one of our members, RoadGrader:

Almost two months ago, a fellow avid NE Patriots fan, Jeff Fuller of Middleboro, MA was stricken by the EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) virus while in Plymouth County

There is no known cure for EEE. The mortality rate from EEE is approx 33%, making it one of the most deadly mosquito-borne diseases in the US.

Approx 50% of those persons who survive EEE will have mild to severe permanent neurologic damage.

A rare disease, EEE data from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) indicates that in the 45 year period from 1964-2009, 36 human cases were confirmed in Massachusetts

In the US, an average of 6 human cases of EEE are reported annually.

Jeff was 1 of 2 confirmed cases in MA this year, the other being a RI man visiting the southeastern MA area

After contracting EEE on Aug. 21, 2010 Jeff spent 4+ weeks in neuro-intensive care at Mass General Hospital

On Sept. 25, 2010 Jeff was transferred to a LTAC (Long Term Acute Care) Rehab Center on the North Shore
where he remains in a semi-conscious state at the current time although he is expected to survive

I am writing this on behalf of Jeff, his wife and their 2 children to ask for any financial assistance that you can commit to help them during this long and arduous ordeal no matter the amount.

Checks should be made payable to:
Michelle Fitzgerald FBO Jeffrey Fuller

and they should be sent to:

Eastern Bank
226 Main St.
Wareham, MA 02571

there is also a PayPal Account

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...=78JQVTKPBD7AL

to facilitate donations

For further information regarding Jeff's story I encourage you to read the following articles

SouthCoast Today article

EEE victim's slow recovery 'excruciating' | SouthCoastToday.com

Boston Globe article

Middleborough man left in coma by EEE infection - The Boston Globe

Please keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts and prayers

Best wishes to Jeff and his family, and I hope the updates continue to be positive.

[Ian]

Here's the latest from Jeff's friend on his condition:

Update: 10/18/2010

Jeff had a good morning today, was awake and alert for a while. His speech therapist continues to work with him on his swallowing, which he's doing great at. His facial expressions are coming back more, he will smile when asked to. He can also stick out his tongue on command. He will also grimace, furl his brow and raise his eyebrows. He's gaining more and more movement in his left hand and the doctors expect to him to develop movement in his right hand soon. After that they would expect him to develop movement in his legs and feet. His doctors and therapist are happy with progress.Today they gave him a half a dose of an analeptic (central nervous system stimulant) drug that it used to treat people with narcolepsy and other similar sleep problems. He really didn't seem to react much to that dose. They'll try a full dose on him tomorrow.Every day he is having periods of alertness. He's now opening his eyes more in reaction to the sounds around him, opening them when he hears people's voices or hears people coming into the room. His cousin was in the other day and he opened his eyes when he heard his voice and kept them open for awhile while he was visiting. When he left he asked Jeff to give him a thumbs up. Jeff opened his eyes and moved his thumb.Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts flowing.

[Gwedd]

Thanks, Ian.

I was unaware of this story. I'll see what I can do to help them out. Stories like these always put things into perspective about where our priorities should be.

I'll add a candle for them.

[PATSNUTme]

I have been following Jeff's progress by reading posts of frankw, a friend of Jeff's. frank has given me permission to copy his progress reports and post them here and I'll do so when they are posted.

One mosquito bite can change the entire world for not only one person but his entire family and friends.

If you can help by sending a donation, that's great. If you can't, and people budgets are tight, then you can help by posting your positive thoughts and prayers.

Hopefully Jeff will come out of this and by reading this thread, and the one at the Planet,he will know that his fellow Patriots fans cared about him.

[shirtsleeve]

Lets all hope and help Jeff to a full recovery. This is a tradgedy.

Jeff you are still in my thoughts. Wake up! I am brewing all grain now and have questions for ya!

[PATSNUTme]

Here is an update from frankw:

Update: 10/21/2010

Jeff had another pretty good couple days. They still have him on a half a dose of the central nervous system stimulant and he appears to be alert more. Still for only 20 minutes at a time, but he is waking much easier and will have multiple alert periods during the course of the day. Yesterday during therapy Jeff was asked by his therapist to pick up one of his son's Matchbox cars. With a scowl on his face, he refused to do so. His sister got in his face and gave him a piece of her mind and demanded that he pick up the car. He did and did it several more times when she asked him to.

Today he had another good session. They sat him up on the side of his bed and had him picking up objects and dropping them when they asked him to. Towards the end of the session his wife leaned over and kissed Jeff's forehead. The therapist then told her to lean in and ask him for a kiss. She was rewarded with two kisses, she was obviously thrilled.

The doctors and therapists are noticing increased muscle tone in his arm, wrist and neck and they are very happy with his progress lately. Actually most of the staff on the floor are excited about his progress and are in and out giving Jeff their encouragement.

They will be upping the dose on his new meds within the next day or two. With any luck this will wake him even more.

Please keep sending positive thoughts and prayers Jeff's way.

[Frezo]

It's easy to help, but difficult to grasp what he and his family must be going through. Get well Jeff!

[PATSNUTme]

10/23/10 update from frankw

A quick Jeff update. Apparently when the nurse said good morning to him today he mouthed back the words good morning to her! She also asked him how he slept and he mouthed OK.

[shmessy]

Glad to see this moved away from a sticky to the main area - - this will result in more views.

Let's keep this bumped every so often. THIS is more important than the "Jets Suck" thread.

Godspeed, Jeff. Get well soon.

[abdul7]

Sad to read about Jeff. Get well soon for your family and please don't miss your Team's exciting young Defense ! My prayers are for your quick recovery and for your family. Best wishes. Abdul from Bahrain.