Medical Expenses for Chad Hertges

Good evening folks. I hope you will give me your attention as I tell you a story that recently rocked not only our family here at NPVS but our community as well, yet many don't know. I have waited to share this information until the family has had some time to adjust and deal with the initial shock.

On December 22nd, my dear life long friend and also client of NPVS, Chad Hertges, accidently injected himself with Micotil. For those of you not familiar with this antibiotic, it is used in cattle for treatment of respiratory issues. However, it is most often fatal for humans. The survival rate is small and not alot can be done for treatment as there is no anecdote.

The injection put Chad into cardiac arrest immediately. In true farmer nature, he and his father were working in separate areas of the farm. It was 5 hours before Chad was discovered and paramedics called. He was rushed to IU Health LaPorte. The drs and nurses wasted no time or man power in tracking down any information they could get. I know because I was there. Their thoroughness in investigating options was the difference between life and death at that moment. Had epinephrine been used by them, Chad would have been killed.

The ER Dr chose to airlift Chad to IU Methodist in Indianapolis. He felt since there isn't alot known about this, he wanted Chad somewhere that could be prepared for anything.

The good news is Chad came home Dec 28th. He had his checkup today. This once strong, healthy 40 yr old man now has 59% heart damage, 27% damage to the pancreas, inflammmed liver, and his kidneys are working overtime and stressed. It is unknown if he will heal or not. The body is designed to heal itself so we just have to pray that his gets strong enough to repair. He cannot work, drive, or anything for minimum 30 days. His stress has to be kept to zero and minimal activity as far as enough to keep muscles from atrophy but not stress the organs.

So as you can see, it's been a heart wrenching Christmas and rough start to the new year for Chad and his family all because he did what every one of you do. He filled a syringe with a medicine to treat his cows. He fell in the process and landed into the syringe. A simple mistake almost cost him his life and honestly he is not out of the woods completely yet.

My point in sharing this information is to make everyone aware how imperative proper safety measures are and that this can happen to anyone. This isn't a story in the product information that no one reads. This is someone Doc Smith has watched grow up, whom I grew up with, and whose family feels like my own. This is a very real risk and danger.

In the up coming months Chad will taking steps to implement a farm safety program to highlight these dangers and help us all be better prepared for an emergency should it arise.

In the meantime, with Chad unable to work, and medical bills starting to come in, I am asking for help for Chad and his family.  Anything is greatly appreciated.

I appreciate you taking time to read this, and if you wouldn't mind adding Chad's recovery to your prayers, I'd be grateful.

Good evening,
Donnell