Nels underwent a spinal fusion over a month ago and was having a tough time healing. He was told it was meningitis but he was in rough shape. Him and my mom made the 5 hour drive to The Mayo Clinic and waited in the ER for 7 hours. After testing the fluid in his spine, brain and blood he tested positive for Blasto and Histoplasmosis, which is a rare combination. The infection is in his whole body, they believe he was exposed before his spinal fusion and once they did surgery it was able to spread through his entire body. He also has meningoencephalitis, a combination of meningitis and encephalitis, so the infection is also in his brain lining as well as his brain tissue. 

He will be hospitalized for at least the next 2 weeks on a treatment of IV Amphitericin B. The treatment is said to be worse than the infection and the drug is better known as “amphiterrible”. They will be doing labs every 12 hours to monitor kidney function. 

My mom is currently staying in a hotel so she can be close to him but still needs to make the 5 hour drive back to Ely every few days to check on pets, get more clothes, etc. The expense of a hotel, gas and other things will add up quickly. I would love to be able to help them and take some weight off of their shoulders while Nels has to undergo treatment. We appreciate all and any help, whether that be for food, gas and hotel stays.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nelspierson