Faces of West Nile: 'Not knowing what was wrong' was the hardest part for survivor
Faces of West Nile: 'Not knowing what was wrong' was the hardest part for survivor

By Ron Jackson

Published: November 4, 2007

EDMOND — Debbie Fiddler is an active real estate agent, golfer and gardener.

She's also a West Nile virus survivor.

"I'm told I was the 14th case in Oklahoma County,” said Fiddler, 48. "There are a lot of people in Oklahoma County. What are the odds?”

Fortunately for Fiddler, she had odds of a different kind in her favor — her age.

Of the seven Oklahomans who have died this year from the West Nile virus, none have been younger than 60. Five of the victims were between the ages of 80 and 87.

In retrospect, Fiddler said she is grateful she outlasted the potentially deadly virus as well as she did.

Fiddler experienced flu-like symptoms with muscle aches, cold chills, a low-grade fever and chronic fatigue for more than two weeks. She spent most of her time in bed, stressing over her bed-ridden state and the sunshine peering in through her bedroom window.

"I love to garden and golf all the time, and here I was unable to move, completely exhausted, and it's beautiful outside,” she said. "Of course, the toughest part was not knowing what was wrong.”

Blood test results took 11 days.

"When I found out I had contracted West Nile, I was shocked,” Fiddler said. "But, in another sense, I wasn't. I work out all the time on my back porch. I love being outside, and I will forever be convinced that's where I was bitten by the mosquito.

"I used to think spraying around me was enough. I've never liked bug spray.”

Not anymore.

"Now I spray my skin all the time,” Fiddler added. "And so do my friends.”

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