Bucks n Ducks, who posts on here on frequently has spent the last several days in intensive care unit in a Lafayette hospital. Matt was on a fishing outing taking 4-H kids fishing a couple of weeks ago when he got some mosquito bites. A day or so later he came down with a high fever and severe headache. After 3 visits to urgent care and one to the ER in the next few days he progressively got worse. He was admitted to the hospital last sunday. Matt can not walk, has had times where his mind lives in the past and has short term memory problems. After much testing, he has been diagnosed with Mengioencephalitis. This is a very rare mosquito born disease that is a combo of viral meningitis and encephalitis. After getting the right antibiotics treating him, he is making progress. He will start getting therapy tomorrow to teach him to walk again. Will have to go to a rehab center for a while to get better and then will be able to return home. Returning to work is somewhere in the distant future. Matt has 2 boys age 11 and 6 and his wife that will need help thru this tough times. Keep them in your prayers. Some of you know that he is my son. Been a tough week!!

Prayers for Matt and your entire family.

Prayers sent!

prayers sent!

Prayers form him and whole family !

Hang in there Matt, and best of luck with your rehab. You & your family are in our prayers!

Thank God they diagnosed it soon enough! Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and his family. Please keep us updated!!

Prayers sent Tony , Today's healing ways are better than we had and Youth is on his side Hang tough it'll work out In time

+1

I will try to let you guys know as we make progress. Start out with small steps that mean alot. That is what they tell us.

Hang in there and take care matt

Very sorry to hear this!
Prayers for your full and quick recovery B&D!

He was able to stand beside his bed today with the help of a walker. Still can't take a step yet. We call that progress!!

Unreal. prayers and love to Matt and the whole family!

Prayers sent.

Crazy that Mother Nature can pack such a devastating punch in such a tiny insect. Scary stuff!

I will def take "more than usual" precaution while pickin berries... and just being outside period!
Had a friend 2 wknds ago wake up with high fever and just very bad feeling all over... in a hurry!! They went straight to hospital... wound up with 3 diff I-V's in him...... he came out fine!

Be careful folks!!!

Best wishes Matt!

Matt has been moved to a rehab hospital. Improves more everyday. Is walking with the help of a walker. Hopefully won't be here more than a couple of weeks. Therapy just wears him out!! I told him it will take time.

Matt's a tough guy....hang in there bud!!

Matt is in my thoughts and prayers!

Dang!!!! You just Never know……….Hang in there Matt!!!!

Good news that he is improving everyday! Continued prayers!

Great news. Matt got to come home from the hospital. He was in for 24 days. Walking short distances without the walker!! Has to deal with balance issues on occasion but getting better. He will have physical therapy for a while and hopes to be back to work in a couple of months. My goal is to get him in the woods by the start of gun season for deer. we will have to see.

That's great he's finally back home! Prayers for his continued strength and healing!

Great news! Get well Matt!

Hey all, I'm getting better and stronger everyday! Thank you for all the kind words and thoughts and prayers for me and my family! Probably another month before I go to work but I am doing things and going places as well as back to building a couple rods! What could have been fatal turned out for the best and I won! Pretty crazy. Hoping to goodness I can get in the woods this fall at some point!

Great hearing from you Matt! Keep the faith, buddy....and get 100%!! That's some crazy stuff you went thru! Hope to see you on the ice soon!!

Awesome news and prayers answered! Keep fighting!

Update on Matt??

Hey weedhopper, I'm doing well physically. Still some memory things and central nervous issues but nothing that slows me down to much. Getting stronger every day. Had a positive Dr.'s appointment today so I have about three weeks before trying back to work!

Sounds like encouraging news.
Glad you are getting much better! Best of luck to ya man!

+1.....

That's great news, bro! Was thinking about you yesterday, and wondering how you were doing. Kick that nasty thing's butt!! Hope to see you on the ice, soon!!

I hope we have some good ice this year! That was fun at summit a couple years ago!