SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A recent bout with the flu nearly turned deadly for a San Carlos man when it took an unexpected turn.
Five weeks ago, the usually healthy 58-year-old Dave Truby came down with the flu.
"Fever, nausea, inability to sleep ... body soreness," said Dave's brother, Mike.
Mike his brother says Dave tried to fight through it. Some five days later, Dave went to an ER, but left because of the wait for beds. That same night at home, his brother found him in bad shape.
"Literally shaking in a fetal position," said Mike Truby.
At the hospital, Mike received some devastating news. His brother's kidneys were failing, and the MRI showed brain damage from a massive stroke.
"The brain wasn't getting clean blood. It was shutting down. The whole body was shutting down. They said it didn't look good," said Mike.
Loved ones and friends braced for the worst.
"I said my prayers and breathed deep," he said.
Those prayers were answered in gradual fashion. His kidneys started working and Dave started responding.
"The last two weeks, he moved his head, blinked, and mouthed words. Wheeled my mom into the hospital room a week ago, and he looked up and mouthed, 'Mom.' Gives us a lot of hope," he said. "You never think the flu is going to impact your life in a possibly terminal way."
Much of his prognosis remains uncertain, but Mike is optimistic, though he's still a bit in shock over how this came about.
Two recent studies suggest the flu can trigger strokes and lead to a prolonged risk lasting months. In Dave's case, he will survive his stroke.
"Very thankful and very grateful. My brother has always been a stubborn, forceful man ... I don't think this is going to keep him from getting back," said Mike.
A Gofundme campaign has been set up to help with Dave's expenses and long recovery.
