An uncle lost a leg to diabetes late in life.
Personal tragedy struck Chula Vista High School’s Giancarlo Gil much sooner.
It’s an inspirational story. Perhaps you’ve already heard it.
Gil, now a sophomore, had his right leg amputated last fall to stop a rare flesh-eating disease called necrotizing fasciitis from spreading through his body. He noticed the first symptoms while playing a youth baseball game. The pain didn’t feel right — it didn’t seem like a cramp — and his family later took him to see medical specialists.
It was then that doctors discovered the real cause of the pain. Gil was admitted to Rady Children’s Hospital for the first of what would be 10 surgeries performed in a three-week span to save his life.
When the initial spread of the disease could not be contained, more radical measures were required.
It is unclear how Gil contracted the bacteria that causes the infection. He had been active playing both baseball and football at the time he came down with symptoms.
According to Wikipedia, necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, is an infection that results in the death of the body’s soft tissue. It is a severe disease of sudden onset that spreads rapidly. The most commonly affected areas are the limbs.
The majority of infections are caused by organisms that normally reside on the individual’s skin. Typically the infection enters the body through a break in the skin such as a cut or burn.
It is not typically spread between people.
The disease is classified into four types, depending on the infecting organism. Type II is caused by Group A streptococci (often with a co-infection of S. aureus), and usually occurs on the head, neck, arm or legs.
While there are risk factors, for unknown reasons, the infection occasionally occurs in people who are in apparently healthy condition.
The disease is rare, with fewer than 20,000 cases in the United States reported each year. It is rare in children. According to media reports, 124 cases have been reported in San Diego County since 2010 — only three involving patients under 17.
Without surgery and antibiotics, the infection will rapidly progress and eventually lead to death.
Gil was lucky that treatment was available.
Prevention is by proper wound care and hand-washing. If the wound area becomes inflamed and an oozing liquid is present, immediate medical care is advised.
Then and now
Gil seemed buzzing with excitement while attending last Friday’s non-league varsity football game against visiting Hoover. He met team members prior to the game and seemed to enjoy walking the sidelines during the game.
The familiar surroundings had to pump his spirits up.
Despite the current physical impairment, Gil still has dreams of playing baseball and football in the future — or being associated with those sports in some manner. He played youth baseball at Chula Vista American Little League and it was while playing first base during the offseason for a traveling team that he first noticed symptoms. Prior to the surgery, Gil played defensive end on the Spartans’ freshman football team.
Being active was part of his lifestyle. “I just want to get back to what I was doing before,” he said.
He’s already discovered that sports are still possible despite the loss of a leg. “I’ve talked to someone who plays sitting volleyball,” he said.
The 2016 Summer Paralympic Games began Wednesday in Brazil with two Paralympic athletes on Team USA from South County: Bonita Vista High School graduate David Garza (soccer) and Chula Vista High School alumnus Ahkeel Whitehead (track and field).
Gil hopes to be back on the field next year. In order to accomplish that he will need to acquire a special prosthetic leg that will allow for more range of motion.
“That’s the next step,” he said.
Gil’s journey has provided the Spartans with plenty of inspiration. The football team dedicated its season to him last year.
“He’s a great kid,” CVHS athletic director Craig Wilson underscored. “His attitude is wonderful. He’s an inspiration to the rest of the team.
“Last year, we dedicated the season to him. Teammates took his jersey to midfield for the coin toss.”
“He’s something special,” freshman football player Alejandro Guzman said, offering a smile.
Gil is able to attend games now and that’s likely the best medicine in his ongoing recovery.
