Wisconsin: A Man's Fight with Blastomycosis

[Lisa]

A Mans Fight with Blastomycosis
Wausau Daily Herald
October 17th, 2008

For Scott Magrecke, 34, October's cool temperatures signal a countdown to the beginning of the winter season he likes best, and a job that counts on his strength and ability to withstand the Wisconsin cold. As the manager for the rental and retail operations at the Granite Peak Ski area, Scott is responsible for making sure those areas are prepared and ready for enthusiastic skiers. Scott helps out in other areas as well, sometimes assisting with the snow-making on frigid winter nights. Summers and fall are spent doing “off-season” maintenance and improvements at the hill. He loves the job, the skiers, his coworkers, and the outdoors.

This winter season will be much different for Scott. Diagnosed with blastomycosis and A.D.E.M. (Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis) or extensive inflammation of the brain, today Scott has difficulty walking and struggles with his memory. He has lost all hearing in one ear, and has 20% hearing in the other. Scott has not worked since June 15, when he was admitted to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for a month-long stay, followed by three weeks at the University Hospital in Madison and another three weeks back at Aspirus. Today he is home, but counts on a home health worker and family members to help administer daily 6-hour IV treatments that make Scott so tired that he sleeps much of the day. The IV regiment of antifungal medication is an aggressive attempt to treat the disease.

Arriving at Scott's blastomycosis diagnosis was complicated by his symptoms that are not typical of “blasto.” Usual indicators include flu-like symptoms, fever, cough and pain or tenderness in the muscles and joints. In June, seemingly recovered from a late spring bout with pneumonia, Scott became disoriented, very weak, and barely able to walk in a few short weeks, a condition which was frightening to his wife Sally and 2 year old daughter Jaidyn. Admitted to the hospital and many tests later, Scott received the blastomycosis and A.D.E.M. diagnosis. Doctors have explained to the couple that the blastomycosis has infected Scott's central nervous system, and resulted in lesions on his brain that affect his memory, hearing, and balance.

As recently reported by the Daily Herald, blastomycosis is an increasingly common and potentially fatal fungal infection. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the infection is spread by inhalation of airborne conidia (spores) after disturbance of contaminated soil, but is not known to be transferred from person to person. Cases of blastomycosis have increased in Wisconsin since 2003, with the greatest number of cases reported in northern Wisconsin counties, according to the state Department of Health Services.

A benefit will be held for Scott at the Granite Peak Ski Chalet on Saturday, October 25 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Proceeds will be used to help Scott and Sally with medical expenses and costs associated with travel to UW Hospital, as well as child care. The afternoon will include a silent auction, bake sale, music, and children's activities. A free will donation will be used to offset the cost of food and beverages. Donations can also be made to U.S. Bank, c/o Scott Magrecke Fund, 2620 W. Stewart Ave., Ste. 110, Wausau, WI 54401. Thrivent Financial will supplement donations to the fund.