My younger brother had been suffering from a sore ear for a couple of days. He collapsed yesterday and was rushed to hospital. He's now in the Critical Unit and has been diagnosed with a rare form of Menigits. He's being sedated and is breathing through a pump right now, it's very, very serious.

The doctors are still trying to identify what strain it is and at this stage we don't know what's going to happen. We are all just trying to be as positive as possible and hope he responds to the treatment. The doctor said that the fact that he is an otherwise fit young man will count for alot but at this stage it could go either way.

The doctors also said that they can't rule out that it is a contaigous form, so we are worried about that too, especially as he as a 3 year old son.

Anyway, as a result I'll be spending most of my time up at the hospital. You try to do other things to distract yourself but you just can't. I couldn't even read a newspaper in the waiting room yesterday. All you can really do is sit and hope.

I'm sorry to hear about this Darrin.



My prayers go out to your brother and your family. Keep us updated about how he (and you) are doing.

your brother and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

-phil

I will pray for your brother and his family. Stay strong, DF!

Sending much in the way of hopeful vibe to you, and to your brother -- godspeed, brother of Darrin; godspeed.

And, for all the university attendees in this area, on this board:

if your school offers meningitis vaccination, take the campus health service up on it. The $60 fee -- it was so when I had mine, four years ago; might have dropped since -- will be well worth it, to avoid the possibility of weeks in hospital and, worse, fatality.

Sorry mang Meningitis is nasty. Hopefully it is a less strong strain.

We've been having so many outbreaks here that the government is vaccinating everyone under 20 for free.

Best to you and the fam, Darrin.

Whoa. My wife contracted meningitis in '04 and it was a very, very bad time. All my best to you and your family.

Steve

I don't pray but I hope everything turns out OK. Much love through this very hard time.

best wishes to you and your family, darrin

I'm sitting and hoping for you here, Darrin.

you and your family are in my thoughts.

hospital time is very surreal and abstract.
walk outside for air every so often if you can.
i'm so sorry you all have to go through this.

I'm sorry to hear this bad news. I hope your brother is OK.

Not good news, Darrins, but I truly hope things work out in the best way possible.

Also, heed Laura's advice. A hospital can do some bad things to your mental well-being if you don't clear your head out.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Darrin.

Sending good vibes and thoughts your way.

I'll be thinking of you and your family, Darrin. Much love.

Oh my gosh, Darrin!! This is all so very scary -- I wish I could be there to help in any way I can. Please know that I'm sending all the positive energy I can to you and your family. Try to think positively and be strong, my dear friend. If you can, please keep us posted on your brother's condition as the days go by.

Big hug sent your way.

Wow...best of luck to you & yours, man.

wow, and I thought this was another run of the mill board 'quitting,' don't I feel like the asshole?

Positive vibes sent your way Darin...and heed the above advice of Ayah and Elvis Fu, hospital time is a bizarre universe unto itself. Try to distract yourself. Good luck to you and yours.

Oh man, You and your family will be in my thoughts as well.

good luck. hope you're back soon with good news.

Best wishes to you and your family for a speedy diagnosis and recivery.

Oh man Darrin, so sorry to hear about this. I'm hoping for the best for your brother and your family.

Stay strong bro- my only words of wisdom are, more than any other time- live in the present- don't speculate and try to infuse some humor whenever possible.