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Perry social news—2B Lifestyles Rare disease takes toll on Douthit; real battle begins Sy JIMMY SIMPSON Staff Writer For years, Leroy Douthit has had plans just like any other 32-year-old living in society. He just didn't know he would have to make a few adjustments along the way. Douthit was recently diagnosed with pneumococcal sepsis. The rare disease affects approximately eight people each year in the United States. Only one usually survives. And like most people who suddenly learn of medical problems even before having time to react, Douthit’s news was devastating. "The doctors told me that there are 40 different strains of pneumococcal sepsis, but that they only have a cure for 23 of them...," Douthit said from his hospital bed this week." After talking with doctors, Douthit said he was told that all persons actually carry the virus, primarily in their ears and noses, but are able to combat the virus by the body’s spleen. Douthit, however, had no spleen, and was unable to avoid the virus. It was on Aug. 23 of this year that the Northrop employee and his family were making a trip to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport to pick up his brother, Charlie. Douthit's brother had visited a year earlier, and was making a return visit to spend additional time with his brother. The two had already mapped out plans for the stay; extensive fishing and recalling memories of childhood from years past. But halfway to the Atlanta airstrip, Douthit began to feel ill. The symptoms, he thought, felt more like a cold. After all, the flu had been a common occurrence in Houston County. But by 9 p.m. that evening, Douthit's condition worsened. His temperature had risen to 105 degrees. He was disoriented and unusually combative with his wife, Rose, and brother on the return trip. After administering ice packs, aspirin and cool showers, Douthit’s condition never improved. He was rushed to Perry Hospital. Once at the medical ward, Douthit continued his unusual combativeness with nurses and doctors. Physicians noticed his skin color had began to turn purple. Blotches began to cover his body. While doctors drew blood to conduct tests, Douthit was connected immediately to I.V. He was in for the fight of his young life after going lEP Pauline Lewis | 7 ’ t Society editor Hospitalized: Leon Boatright (Steve’s dad), Bill Odom, Lee Jones, Leroy Douthit, Larry Wagoner (friend of Cliff Woods), Horace Minyard (Carol Montgomery’s uncle), Chelsea Tackett (Judy Poss’s niece), Margaret Costelle, Stan Gann, Margaret Hardage, Mr. Adams (Tom Adams’ dad), David Wright (Belinda Baker’s friend)) and Leßoy Douthit. MEADOWBROOK REHAB: Johnny Brewer, Meadowbrook of Atlanta,, Newton House 4th Floor, 320 Parkway Dr., NE Room 403-2, Atlanta, GA 30312 (404)577-6769. 11l Recuperating at Home: Kate Howard (Stevee and Bridged Howardd’s baby), Linda George (Dr. John Yarbrough’s sister), Alice Connell, Lindsey Bell, John and Leila Clifton, Wister “Bud” Williams, Lucille Pritchett, Kathleen Ayer, Louise Bentz, Tina Davidson, Adrian Harris, Ray Hooten, Eva Meeks, Jerry Pierce, J. J. Morrow, Laura Green (Sheila Harris’s friend), Charis Schemm (Vicky Schemm’s baby), W. M. Moss (Bobbie Newton’s father), Roselyn Mullen (Marie Lewis’s mother), Mary Julia Fowler (Rosemari Patterson’s mother), W. O. Stewart (Joe’s grandfather), Marvin Barckley (Carol Cheek Barckley’s father-in-law), Sheldon Shelton (Frank Shelton’s grandson) and Korrie Kice (Janet Modrell’s niece). 11l Sympathy is Extended: -To the family of Virginia “Ginny” Fuller, upon heer death on Friday, September 23, 1994. -To Doroihy “Dottie” Stephens upon the death of her brother, Roberrt Howard Johnson, Sr. on Friday, September 23, 1994. 11l Congratulations ! -To Angela Marie Light of Byron and Stephen Allen Young of Fort Valley, upon the announcement of their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Light Jr. and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Horn of San Diego and the late Mr. and Mrs. Herman Light Sr. and die late Mr. and Mrs. Orel Dennis, all of Mansfield, Ohio. The groom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Young of Fort Valley, Ga., and the grandson of Mrs. G. P. Lowe Sr., the late Mr. Lowe and the late Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Young. Both the bride-elect and the groom-elect are graduates of the Westfield Schools. The wedding is planned for October It at First Baptist Church in Fort Valley, -To Wilma Gay, winner again in the Mary Kay beauty products sales competition. -To Jean and Vemer Lee Lassiter of Perry, who will celebrate their 50th (Golden) Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, September 25, 1994, with a reception given by their children in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church from 2-4 p.m. -To Fred and Rheunette Griggs who celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1994, at the Church Home for the Aged, with cake and refreshments for the residents. The celebration was given by their daughter, Stan Durrance and her son, Lance Durrance. -Shalandra Nicole Dixon and Satoria Sentonia Ragin of Perry who were married Aug. 6, 1994 at the home of the bride’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Dixon of Perry. After a wedding trip to Charleston, S. C., the Ragins are living in Fairbanks, Alaska. -To Kristie A. Duckworth of Byron and Derrick W. Pinney of Fort Valley, upon the announcement of their engagement. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob W. Duckworth Sr. of Warner Robins and the granddaughter of Joe B Andrews and Cynthia Andrews, both of Byron, Mrs. G. H. Duckworth Sr. of Perry and the late Mr. Duckworth. The groom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Butch Dugan of Fort Valley and Rodger Pinney of Indianapolis. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Pinney of Plain City, Ohio, Marvin Steele of Dayton, Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Miller of Fort Valley. The wedding is planned for Oct. 15 atSacred Heart Catholic Church. m The General Daniel Stewart Chapter, NSDAR, met in regular session on September 14, at die home of Bobbie Richardson.' Refreshments were served by Mrs. Richardson, Dollie Kate Newberry and Willie Dean NeSmith. The meeting was called to order by the Regent, Gini English. The Chaplain, Bobbie Richardson gave the devotional message and prayer. i r i*3§§ 1 ’ 1 3*1 Matt *.^l Leroy Douthit (right) and wife, Rose, with children. into a comatose state within 12 hours. Dr. Samuel Palmer placed Douthit in the intensive care unit, where he would remain in a coma for eight days. "He saved my life," Douthit said of Dr. Palmer. "He did everything he could to keep me stabilized, and I wouldn't be here without him." It wasn't until two weeks after being admitted that the patient's condition allowed the doctor to transport the patient to a more specialized environment. His heart continued to exceed normal demands placed on it by the body, his lungs continued to fill with fluid, and a ventilator was required just to maintain proper breathing techniques. Douthit would finally gain enough strength to be transported to HCA Coliseum Hospital in Macon. He had survived the infection, but had not BBIHOP LONGHORN AND SAVE I fOOO \ ■W 1T ** T ’ p r ' pIffESHORAOEASPUTONLY BIVAF NO BONING 1 * W w l At THIS PRICE Breast^ BKBJrr SSgjjJ I MBECTEBUTS 98<? /Pork {CHOPS 1 CUBED STEAK NO BONE*NO WASTE*ALL MEAT :^OBS Lh lean & TENDER m—mJ Small Family* his 'Family Freezer Special' tin. Manuk* St**ki J - J Ik. Pk|» Sk*rt tiki 2 ■ It *l. Ilk StMkl 2 ■ 2'/i Ik. G>*4, A Frytrl I■ 3 Ik. Onck R**i« 12 - 4 •». Pick Ck**i 1 . 3 Ik. Sk*«M*r Iwl 3 ■ 2 Ik. Wt|i Crnmk Ini i • 1 Vi Ik. Ck.ck StMkl N* SakititutiMl Nhh 3q;:; l 34888 1 Fresh Frozen Beef Liver 68$ Western Deveined 18 Wednesday 4wm Sept 28,1994 ID Official Legal Notices—4B Prices Good Wednesday, Sept 28th, 1994 thru Tuesday, Oct. 4th, 1994. CHUCK ® ROAST T BLADE CUT £S£H3B I “ HEAVY WESTERN AGED CEHP-B CUT CHOICE $1.41 J HEAVY WESTERN AGED jm ROUND BONE 1. J SHOULDERS jOO ROAST I «• (HEAVY WESTERN AGED J|j fgjfig; gjsh Ground • EXTRA LEAN • 5 # Bulk 1 roun iOft« 10# Bulk Only TGround Beef 111.88 |sa^e] SHELLED - BLANCHED - FLASH FROZEN NEW SHIPMENT VEGETABLE FREEZER "SSST SALE ChHI - Wpe - Grade *A’ Fancy Shaded - Stanched - Ftaeh Froxen Subject To AvaiaMHy and Price Change ehewrare-isi 24 88 xsmsgp-- - - ~-#§f mras to wssmsF"** tfm WRPIEHULLPEA!! SheiedßOmeei 17 88 1 mmsßtSP 1 1888 UQ | snsTSoi 14 88 EMHP 12.88 WjiAMpOKRA __ _ 4QO Jim Jp&jLonghorn ’'MiixviiwJ Butcher Shop Perry Plaza. Perry, Georgia Houston Times-Journal been successful in surviving complications. The father of two small children, one six and the other four, Douthit was told that he would never be able to run and play with them without a prosthesis. The infection had controlled his circulatory system to the point that not all of the necessary oxygen could be supplied to his limbs. His legs would need to be amputated. And if he were lucky, doctors said he might be able to keep some of his fingers. It was on Sept. 8 that Douthit was finally stable enough to be wheeled into the operating room. As expected, both legs were removed from the knees down, but doctors were able to save all but three fingertips off each of Douthit's hands. "It's one of the toughest things to have to go through," Douthit said, when asked about the surgery. "Having your fingers and legs amputated is very difficult. It's extremely difficult on your family." Douthit said a lot of his time has been spent just lying in bed, although he is given physical, occupational and recreational therapy every day. "It's tough to keep a good outlook," he said, "but when you're just lying in bed, you have a lot of time to reflect on what life has been able to offer. "I have a lot to be thankful for: I've got a wonderful wife and two precious kids... I want to be able to watch them grow up, to be there for them... That's mainly why I'm still alive." The biggest challenge Douthit now faces is learning to move from place to place. Writing his name again will also be a challenge. But Douthit said additional encouragement from the doctor who performed the operation on his legs, Macon physician Dr. Keith Martin, has also been a reason to believe in himself. "He's been my inspiration," Douthit said of his doctor. "Not only is he my doctor, but he's my frier.d, too. He keeps me up, and inspired. He's one of the best doctors I've ever had." But the biggest challenge may lie just ahead. Luckily, health insurance will cover most of the medical expenses, but groceries and clothes will soon be a necessity. To help the family of Douthit, a special bank account has been opened at CB&T here in the name of "Leroy Douthit” to assist with finances. See Battle, page 3B Continuously Serving YOU, OUR CUSTOMERS with High Quality Meats, the Very Best ol Service and Everyday Low. Low Prices! CHUCKS’ r M—M Western Western Beef Short Bone-In Ribs Brisket Stew $1.96 ib. $1.68 ib. I ACCEPT lllilifiri | a |iri ISl||iJ3 / U.S.D.A. lliaTkd lliiißta «? wn i / food \MPSp NWH 1 tae' AW r T Feie l STAMPS J WESTERN AGtu SIRLOIN SjT|AK $2 98 % [BEEFI RIBS l9Btl I PORK | NECK BONES ■““$088 BUY BY THECASEANDSAVE!! ” BO, s-|^BB I PORK I NECK BONES “SOBB BUY BY THF CASE AND SiVPU