SWIFT CURRENT — Almost a month after being bitten by a Texas rattlesnake, Danny Fehr has been transported back to Saskatchewan soil but remains in the hospital.
Fehr was brought back to Saskatchewan on Aug. 22 after a four-hour flight but was taken to the wrong hospital initially. Eventually, Fehr made it to Regina, receiving clearance to be moved once again to a bed in Swift Current.
Fehr’s wife of more than 30 years, Stephanie, told SaskToday that this is the hardest thing her family has ever had to endure. Since his hospitalization at the Odessa, Texas, hospital, Fehr has had additional health issues arise; however, he has responded well to those treatments. Doctors have decided to wait before doing another MRI, and Stephanie said they changed Danny’s tracheostomy to a cuff trach, allowing him to be on room air now. He has also developed pneumonia with a persistent cough, which is being treated.
Prior to being brought back home, Texas Tech was allowed to do a case study on Danny’s condition, with a paper to be published in roughly four months, but it still does not provide answers to the Fehr family.
“This man is a beast. Nothing could ever take this man down. He isn’t even allergic to anything. Poison Control and specialists have never seen a case like this and have everyone stumped,” said Fehr’s wife.
While it is nice to be back home, Stephanie is still trying to figure things out. Her sister, Kristie Klimm, started a GoFundMe page to help with medical costs, as Danny did not have medical insurance.
The Fehr family was in the process of selling their home and moving to be closer to Danny and his job in Texas with 4 Star USA. Stephanie had already resigned from her position in the health-care industry when their lives changed forever.
Danny and Stephanie are high school sweethearts, marrying shortly after graduation more than 30 years ago. They have three children: Zack, 24; Payton, 20; and Xander, 15.
“Xander thinks Dad will just miraculously wake up and go golfing together. Zach is still working to help pay for things, and our families are a huge support to us all right now,” said Stephanie. She has been thankful for family members who have sat with Danny, allowing her time to deal with the financial and medical paperwork.
Fehr first started working with 4 Star more than 15 years ago. When the Swift Current company expanded into the United States in 2019, Fehr was there to help get it established. When the pandemic hit, he came home to his family and returned to work in Texas in early 2021. While working in the States as a field superintendent, Fehr stayed in touch with his family multiple times a day.
“I miss my morning phone calls, with him asking, ‘How’s my baby girl today?’ I don’t even know why I have a phone anymore,” said Stephanie, holding back tears.
The GoFundMe page is still open, bringing total donations raised to more than $47,250. Stephanie says she appreciates all the support, donations and messages from total strangers.
“The love and support we have been receiving from those who love and care for our family has humbled me. The kindness of complete strangers has shifted my belief in communities taking care of one another. Human beings are capable of such love towards each other, and it has amazed me beyond belief.”
