Summers coming

[m25operator]

This should be a happy post but it's not. A year and half ago, I lost my hunting partner, She did not die, but was bitten by a mosquito. A mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, she was in the hospital for 26 days. She got the worst version, West Nile with encyphilitis and menengitis, she came home using a walker and we had to blend her food because her face was partially paralyzed, and she could not chew.  Special chairs for bathing etc... The reason for this post is we as shooters, are outdoors a lot and this stuff can change your life!!! I am now the poster boy for this disease.  Please hose yourself with repellent, and be aware of what this can cost you and your family. I still owe 30k in hospital bills the insurance won't cover. My wife cannot be still for more than 10 minutes without going to sleep. Thats why she cannot go hunting any more. Please take this seriously, the disease is not rampant enough to get much attention, usually all you hear or read is somebody got it or they died. Google it up sometime and you will see what I mean.

[Hazcat]

Living in FL as I do I always have a can or three of deep woods OFF at hand.

[gunman42782]

Wow. I am sorry to hear about your wife getting the West Nile Virus.  I honestly did not know that it was that bad.  Thanks for posting this, and you can bet I will be using the insect repellent next time I go into the woods.

[m25operator]

It's been a year and change since I posted this, but since I've gotten my first skeeter bites this year, time to remind everybody. See my original post about West Nile Virus, you and your family and friends don't want want it.  It can change your or your loved ones lives in a very bad way. As an update, my wife can now drive, but can get brutally tired at the drop of a hat. Her paralysis is diminished, but not gone. She has overcome and adapted to her condition, but cannot hold any kind of job that has reasonable rules, like being on time and working 8 hour shifts. She  is a trooper and I hope We can hunt together again someday, but I cannot stand idly by, and have someone else get this Virus because I was silent.

[MikeBjerum]

Sorry to hear this, and sorry I didn't see it till now. 

I fear we are in for a large skeeter crop up here this summer.  After many years of dry we are having a fairly normal spring.  If the skeeters come on like the gnats have this last week we will be hurting.

I work in a business (funeral service) where I see many lives changed for good unexpectedly.  However, I forget how fragile things are (not seeing the forest for the trees).  We all need these reminders to treasure what we have.

Take care of your self, and the best to your wife.

[Sponsor]

[wisconsin]

Same Here.

[jaybet]

Sorry to hear of your family troubles.

[leatherman92]

Sorry to hear of your family troubles.

Me too

[gunman1911]

I am sorry about your wife's condition it just breaks my heart knowing that you want to help her so much but are only limited in what a human can do . So I offer all the prayer I can muster and speak to my minister for more of them for you and your family. You are obviously a very strong person who loves his wife.