Published: March 29, 2006 05:04 pm         

Tuttle girl hospitalized with critical meningitis

TUTTLE — A Tuttle girl is in critical condition after being diagnosed last week with meningitis. Also known as meninogococcal disease, meningitis is a rare but sometimes fatal illness where infection can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Timber Laine Eaton, 21, a student at Oklahoma State University and a 2003 graduate of Tuttle High School, traveled to Mexico during spring break and came home with influenza-like sympstoms that worsened after she came home. She was airlifted to Integris Baptist Medical Center, where she was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, quarantined and put on a ventilator.

Eaton is also receiving kidney dialysis and had had blood-platelet transfusions.

Eaton was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, March 21. Initial fears were that he hands and feet might be amputated due to circulatory concerns, but those have improved. Now the areas in question have been reduced to the fingertips.

“Timber is making steady recovery and her doctors tell us she is entering the recovery stage. Her condition has stabilized but remains critical,” said her father, Tim Eaton, in a statement issued Tuesday, March 28. “We appreciate the prayers and thoughts so many have offered our family. Timber has a long road ahead, but we can’t express our joy at her recovery thus far.”

Friends in Stillwater are holding a benefit concer for Eaton next week. Called “Together for Timber,” the concert will raise funds for Eaton’s medical treatment. Students from OSU and friends around the state are encouraged to come together on Wednesday, April 5, at 8 p.m. at the South Library Lawn, on the corner of University and Washington, on the OSU campus in Stillwater. OSU Greek houses will be providing entertainment. Tickets are $5. T-shirts will also be available for $10. For additional information about the event or to make a donation, contact Haley Wine at 214-354-3653 or Merlyn Meyerhoffer at 817-360-6169.

OSU President David Schmidly issued this statement last week: “We want Timber and her family to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Timber is an extremely successful and popular student, and her illness has touched students, faculty and staff across the campus.”

A fund has been set up in Eaton’s name at all Banc First locations. Those wishing to donate may visit any Banc First in Oklahoma to contribute to the Timber Eaton Fund, or mail the donation to Banc First, Timber Eaton Fund, P.O. Boc 26788, OKC, OK 73126. Local residents may also contact Sondra Garrett at 361-3491 to make donations.

Timber is a junior at OSU, where she is majoring in agricultural economics and is an OSU pom squad member and a part of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Tuttle. She is the daughter of Tim and Lorri Eaton of Tuttle and has one brother, Luke, who attends Tuttle High School.

According to state health department statistics, Oklahoma averaged 24 cases of meningitis and four deaths a year from the disease between 2000 and 2005.