Demons Are Among Us

A Biological Nightmare Strikes Local Family

by Sid Riley

The worse nightmare for every loving parent is to have something terrible happen to one of their children. If parental prayers and hours of worry would protect our children, they would be very safe throughout their years of development. Sadly, there are many real life perils which can suddenly, without warning threaten our families. These threats can range from tragic auto accidents, to criminal acts by bad people, to the unseen biological demons that lurk around us every day and night.

It was one of these unseen biological horrors that suddenly struck the Prinz family in Marianna last October.

The unsuspecting victim was seventeen year old Robbie Prinz, a senior at Marianna High School. It all started on the evening of October 25, 2007. Robbie’s mother, Alane, was out of town on a short trip. During the day on Friday Robbie felt fine, he even went to his deer plot and threw out some feed during the afternoon. He felt a small burning sensation in his shoulder, like a slightly pulled muscle, but he thought nothing of it.

He awoke Saturday with a heavy feeling in his left arm, and by evening the problem was worse. Sunday morning when he awoke his left leg would not work properly, and it finally went limp. During the afternoon his mother returned home to discover that her son could not walk correctly, and his left arm was immobile.

Horrified, she prepared to take Robbie to the emergency room, but he steadfastly refused and finally succeeded in talking her into waiting until the following morning. Early the next day they were at the family doctor’s office.

Their doctor examined Robbie and instructed them to proceed to Southeast General in Dothan for testing. It was at this time the boy began to experience a migraine headache which led to nausea. In Dothan the hospital did a brain scan, suspecting a tumor.

Next, Robbie was transferred by ambulance to Flowers Hospital where a neurosurgeon, Dr. Becker, was on staff. After a second brain scan was conducted, he treated the boy for pain and administered an antibiotic. He felt it could be a tumor or something worse. Surgery was scheduled for the next morning.

On Tuesday Robbie underwent brain surgery. It was exploratory in order to ascertain the exact cause of the problem, and to administer antibiotics directly into the brain. They discovered an abscess of the brain which resulted from a type of strep virus which can only be acquired through the blood stream. This particular type of biological demon normally takes four days to get into a victim’s system. It can come from a sinus infection, strep throat, or from bacteria on your tooth.

They asked Robbie’s Mom if she had noticed any previous signs of the virus such as high fevers, headaches, and mood changes. She replied that Robbie had a history of headaches and sinus problems, but nothing had recently been out of the norm.

Robbie had to endure the horrors of three surgeries at Flowers Hospital before the bacteria and the resulting abscess could be eliminated from his brain. This left the poor youth in a stroke-like paralysis. Since the abscess was located on the right side of his brain, it had begun shutting down the left side of his body, impacting his left arm, leg, and causing his left eye to droop slightly. He was hospitalized for three weeks, undergoing constant treatment with antibiotics. An "IV" tube was inserted into an arm vein leading directly into his heart, allowing injections to be put directly into his main bloodstream.

Then therapy began, just as it would for a stroke victim. One side of his body would not function, and had to slowly be retrained and developed.

This particular virus is extremely rare, with only two to three cases per year in our area. It is especially rare for this terrible demon to strike a teenager. It can impact the heart, the liver, or as in Robbie’s case, the brain.

Today Robbie is on the road to recovery, even though it is a long, hard trip. He goes to school three hours per day, and also has extensive home schooling. He is also in continuing therapy. The family is still hoping for eventual 100% recovery, but they are taking it one day at a time. Robbie remains in good spirits, and is working hard in his goal to return to a normal lifestyle. He still tires easily and has to wear a brace when he walks.

His Mom, Alane, gives thanks that Robbie is still alive. "I just want other parents to be aware that these dangers are around us, and can suddenly appear and forever alter our lives", she states. "I don’t want to unnecessarily alarm parents, but at the same time I feel this is a danger that they should be aware of. Always let your children know how much you love them, and be prepared for anything that might happen. Also, I want to personally thank the many, many people who have helped Robbie and myself through this ordeal. This includes our friends, neighbors, our church, the school, and the medical community. There are so many people that have helped us that it is impossible for me to give each one an individual thank you."

This is sound advice. We never know when a horrible malady may strike and convert our peaceful lives into a living hell. End every day by expressing your love for those around you, and begin the next day doing the same. Also, please pray for Robbie and Alane as they continue their battle against this bacterial demon which suddenly attacked their family.