How a local man survived his fight against West Nile virus
How a local man survived his fight against West Nile virus
by Peter Jakey
Managing Editor
A North Allis Township man is still recovering from a battle with West Nile Virus months after fighting to get back the life a mosquito almost took.
It’s hard to fathom that Gary Shepherd, the owner/operator of Bonz Beach Farms and a picture of health for a man in his early 60s, almost lost his life to the disease that is transmitted from infected birds to the pesky insect.
Monday, he was out tapping 300 trees to get ready for the anticipated maple run in the coming weeks. He felt run down by the end of the day, but all along, this is where he wanted to be when he was stuck in hospital beds in Petoskey and Grand Rapids. It was back on the farm, making maple syrup.
Thanks to his supportive children, unrelenting physical therapists, the backing of a community and a will to live, he made it back in the woods. Gary wanted it to be, Feb. 14, but it was too cold. So, it ended up being Feb. 17.
“I will tell you, I am going to get some organic mosquito repellant,” he said. “Even this coronavirus, with what West Nile virus did to me, when they say virus, I shudder. I am terrified.
“When I went from being a perfectly healthy guy…to someone who could not function.” All the decisions had to be made by his daughters.
Symptoms can be dormant for a few days with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, that most often presents itself in the form of encephalitis (what Gary contracted) or meningitis.
TWO MONTHSago, Gary was close to dying.
“Several of my friends, including Wayne Tucker, who lives in Indian River, were really supportive when I was in Petoskey, before they moved me,” said Gary. “On the last day I was in Petoskey, (Tucker) would not come there because he did not want to say goodbye. ‘I did not think I would see you again.’ ”
The day after Gary’s 63rdbirthday, he was taken to the hospital. By this time, he was shaking and his body temperature was all over the place.
“I remember them unloading me in Petoskey. I knew the ambulance driver, Gary Wregglesworth…”
The doctor asked him what the patient’s story was.
“He said, ‘this is a straight up guy. It’s not drugs – something is wrong.’ I looked at him and said, ‘thank you, Gary.’ He said, ‘you’re welcome, Gary.’ ” There is not much he remembers from Nov. 4 to Dec. 22, 2019.
Doctors did a spinal tap and sent the fluids to the Mayo Clinic and received confirmation that it was West Nile virus, five days later.
In 2018, there were 12 cases in Michigan and 340 in Arizona.
“Arizona, by far, had the largest number per population of any state,” said Gary. “That’s where I was two weeks before.”
GARY ENDEDup at Mary Free Bed (MFB) in Grand Rapids, Dec. 19, 2019 and came to, three days later.
“I had some nephews and significant others show up,” he said. “I remember being very emotional, like I would cry at the drop of a hat. I was hugging people, but I still did not know what had happened.”
There are still major, lingering effects. Background noise at shopping establishments bother him.
“That extra stimulus just annoys me,” said Gary. “I cannot listen to the radio in my vehicle.”
Ten days ago, a friend had to write checks for him. His arms and legs are still weak.
“When we were planning his transfer to MFB, we had been told to plan on him needing six to nine months of around the clock care after his rehabilitation stay,” said his daughter Misty Shepherd. “His recovery has been nothing short of amazing. We are truly thankful for all the hospital and rehabilitation staff that were part of his journey.”
Gary told staff at MFB he does not want to be the person remembered for surviving West Nile.
“I want to be known as the guy who has great family, great friends, lives in a community that is really great to me,” said Gary.
At this point, Gary retrieved a stack of get-well cards that were sent to him from people of various churches.
“I would say, three-quar
“If I walk into a business and someone has not seen me for a while, it’s like I came back from the dead.”
Back from the brink, Gary has a renewed appreciation for life, family and community. He remains the chairman of Presque Isle Conservation District. Vice chairman Ralph Viegelahn filled in for him during the ordeal.