New London rallies to help child, family
11-year-old being treated for rare fungal disease
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/APC0101/804100526/1979/APCsportsNormally, 11-year-old Zachary Jaeger is an active kid.
The sixth-grader from Marion enjoys playing football and basketball, snowmobiling, and hunting and camping with his family.
But all of his activities have been put on hold since January when he was admitted to Children's Hospital of Milwaukee. Since then, Jaeger has been on and off life support and in and out of comas fighting a rare disease in the intensive care unit. No one is sure when he will recover enough to go home.
His parents, Ed and Lola Jaeger, have put their lives on hold as well, staying with their son in his hospital room so they can be at his side constantly.
Jaeger was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in December, but his health continued to spiral downward. Initially the family thought he had contracted pneumonia. The reality was much worse. After numerous tests, doctors confirmed that Zach is suffering from blastomycosis, a rare fungal disease that affects the lungs.
"Nobody's sure how he got it or when," said Zach's aunt, Kathy Jaeger of New London. "His symptoms began with a high temperature and he became lethargic. That's when they brought him to the hospital. We almost lost him."
It was shortly after Easter before Zach was able to sit in a chair for a few hours for the first time since his admission to the hospital. But setbacks have kept him from recovering.
"There's a lot of fight in him," Kathy said. "He's a strong kid. He has been an inspiration to all his friends and family."
Those friends and family members, many of whom live in the New London area, have rallied behind the Jaegers. Classmates have conducted penny wars and other fundraisers and continually send cards and e-mails. A benefit for Zach will be held April 26 at Clintonville Lanes and Banquet.
In the meantime, family and friends make the trek to Milwaukee to visit. Zach's uncle Ron Jaeger of New London has spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital giving Ed and Lola a break and helping his nephew with physical therapy exercises.
"I feel sorry for Zach," Ron said. "What this kid's going through is terrible. It's depressing for him."
To keep people informed of his son's progress, Ed maintains a journal online. In an April 7 entry, he wrote: "Zach had his chest tube removed today. We are praying that it does not cause an air leak and can stay out. They changed his pain med(ication) so he is waking up more. His fever has been dropping all day. These are steps in the right direction — please God let us continue that way! Please keep Zach in your prayers!!!"
The power of prayer appears to be working, according to Kathy, who added that the family cannot express their thanks enough to those who have supported them through this ordeal.
"We need a miracle," Kathy said. "It's been a long road but with all the love and support I think they'll be OK."
About blastomycosis: Blastomycosis is an uncommon, but potentially serious fungal infection. It primarily affects the lungs and skin and is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis.
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Topic: 11 year old child being treated for Blastomycosis in Wisconsin (Read 1280 times)