On 8/17/2016 the Fritzler’s lives were thrown into turmoil. Paul was diagnosed with a rare viral infection called HSV1 Meningoincephalitis. 1 in 500,000 people get the disease and it has a very high mortality rate. Paul has a long road ahead. If he pulls through, he is facing months of rehabilitation. They have good insurance so their biggest hurdle outside of his illness will be the loss in income. Please read their story below.
On Monday, 8/15, Paul became ill at work with what he thought was the stomach flu. Tuesday he wasn’t feeling right so he went to the walk in clinic and was told it was a mild virus and to rest. Wednesday he wasn’t acting quite right so Penny took him back to the walk in clinic. Here they gave him fluids and when preliminary blood and urine tests came in he was told he was very sick with suspected DKA and told to go to the ER. The ER ran further tests and informed him he was just dehydrated, gave him applesauce and fluids and were getting ready to release him when Paul had a Grand Mal seizure requiring more than one dose of medication to stop it. If that seizure had happened at home, it would have likely been fatal given what Paul actually had going on. Paul hasn’t woken up since he had the seizure.
The doctors found the HSV1 virus in Paul’s spinal fluid. 80% of the population carries this virus and doesn’t know it. Usually it shows up as a cold sore. 1 in 500,000 times the virus travels the wrong way into the brain and causes Meningoencephalitis. If treated quickly, the disease has a mortality rate of 30%. The only treatment is with high doses of an antiviral drug, which they began giving him Wednesday night. In order to have a favorable prognosis, this drug needs to be administered within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms. If treatment is delayed by even a couple of hours, the mortality rate goes to 70%. Paul is the only one who knows what time he got sick on Monday, and he can’t tell us. We can only hope and pray that he received the drug in time.
It’s worth noting that while in the ER he was receiving fluids because they thought he was dehydrated. The doctor said he needed to have at least half of a second bag before going home. This second bag wouldn’t work properly and was frustrating the nurse because she couldn’t figure out why. She would check on other patients and come back to find the bag not working again. This happened repeatedly. His release was delayed by nearly an hour, and he had the seizure as he was getting ready to dress and leave. This seizure literally saved his life. If he had gone home and went to sleep as instructed, he likely would not still be with us. We have to believe that this happened for a reason and that Paul will beat this disease.
Paul’s family wants you to know that he is one of the good ones. He is family centered and they are a close knit bunch. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his family. This has been particularly hard on Brookie and Deyton, his sweet grandchildren, who ask daily when Grumpa is going to wake up so he can chase them again. Paul loves reading to his grandchildren, so they spend ten minutes each day by Grumpa’s side, reading stories and giving him “magic kisses” in hopes that this will help encourage him to open his eyes. Penny and Paul have been married for nearly 29 years and she cannot imagine life without this man who makes her laugh and cry and pull her hair out, but has brought her unimaginable joy. His children (including Brit and Scott) adore the man they call Padre who centers his life around them. His family will not give up and continue to urge him to fight this disease.
Currently Paul is in Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington in the Neurology unit, room 826. He’s had a rough road. On top of the Meningoencephalitis, Paul now has pneumonia and has become septic. He has fluid built up around his lungs and for 48 hours it was touch and go. Doctors weren’t hopeful that he would survive. Yesterday he improved a bit. He’s still not awake, but the doctors believe the antiviral is beginning to work, the swelling in his brain is subsiding, and the antibiotics are battling the pneumonia. The family is in a “wait and see” situation. They are by his side, waiting for him to wake up, hoping that the virus in his brain did not leave too much permanent damage. They want to thank you for all of your kind messages and your prayers. It’s comforting to know he has so many people pulling for him.
Money raised will be used to supplement Paul’s short term disability income and help keep them afloat until Paul can go back to work. They don’t anticipate needing a great deal. We’ve set the goal at $5,000 and may adjust that as we learn the extent of the brain damage and have a better picture of what his recovery will entail. The family thanks you so much for your support, whether it be in the form of prayers, well wishes, or a donation.
On Monday, 8/15, Paul became ill at work with what he thought was the stomach flu. Tuesday he wasn’t feeling right so he went to the walk in clinic and was told it was a mild virus and to rest. Wednesday he wasn’t acting quite right so Penny took him back to the walk in clinic. Here they gave him fluids and when preliminary blood and urine tests came in he was told he was very sick with suspected DKA and told to go to the ER. The ER ran further tests and informed him he was just dehydrated, gave him applesauce and fluids and were getting ready to release him when Paul had a Grand Mal seizure requiring more than one dose of medication to stop it. If that seizure had happened at home, it would have likely been fatal given what Paul actually had going on. Paul hasn’t woken up since he had the seizure.
The doctors found the HSV1 virus in Paul’s spinal fluid. 80% of the population carries this virus and doesn’t know it. Usually it shows up as a cold sore. 1 in 500,000 times the virus travels the wrong way into the brain and causes Meningoencephalitis. If treated quickly, the disease has a mortality rate of 30%. The only treatment is with high doses of an antiviral drug, which they began giving him Wednesday night. In order to have a favorable prognosis, this drug needs to be administered within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms. If treatment is delayed by even a couple of hours, the mortality rate goes to 70%. Paul is the only one who knows what time he got sick on Monday, and he can’t tell us. We can only hope and pray that he received the drug in time.
It’s worth noting that while in the ER he was receiving fluids because they thought he was dehydrated. The doctor said he needed to have at least half of a second bag before going home. This second bag wouldn’t work properly and was frustrating the nurse because she couldn’t figure out why. She would check on other patients and come back to find the bag not working again. This happened repeatedly. His release was delayed by nearly an hour, and he had the seizure as he was getting ready to dress and leave. This seizure literally saved his life. If he had gone home and went to sleep as instructed, he likely would not still be with us. We have to believe that this happened for a reason and that Paul will beat this disease.
Paul’s family wants you to know that he is one of the good ones. He is family centered and they are a close knit bunch. His favorite thing to do is spend time with his family. This has been particularly hard on Brookie and Deyton, his sweet grandchildren, who ask daily when Grumpa is going to wake up so he can chase them again. Paul loves reading to his grandchildren, so they spend ten minutes each day by Grumpa’s side, reading stories and giving him “magic kisses” in hopes that this will help encourage him to open his eyes. Penny and Paul have been married for nearly 29 years and she cannot imagine life without this man who makes her laugh and cry and pull her hair out, but has brought her unimaginable joy. His children (including Brit and Scott) adore the man they call Padre who centers his life around them. His family will not give up and continue to urge him to fight this disease.
Currently Paul is in Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington in the Neurology unit, room 826. He’s had a rough road. On top of the Meningoencephalitis, Paul now has pneumonia and has become septic. He has fluid built up around his lungs and for 48 hours it was touch and go. Doctors weren’t hopeful that he would survive. Yesterday he improved a bit. He’s still not awake, but the doctors believe the antiviral is beginning to work, the swelling in his brain is subsiding, and the antibiotics are battling the pneumonia. The family is in a “wait and see” situation. They are by his side, waiting for him to wake up, hoping that the virus in his brain did not leave too much permanent damage. They want to thank you for all of your kind messages and your prayers. It’s comforting to know he has so many people pulling for him.
Money raised will be used to supplement Paul’s short term disability income and help keep them afloat until Paul can go back to work. They don’t anticipate needing a great deal. We’ve set the goal at $5,000 and may adjust that as we learn the extent of the brain damage and have a better picture of what his recovery will entail. The family thanks you so much for your support, whether it be in the form of prayers, well wishes, or a donation.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sheri Snyder
Organizer
Pocatello, ID
Penny Fritzler
Beneficiary