Nate Jackson recovering from infection
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former University of Hawai'i football player Nate Jackson yesterday thanked the hundreds of well-wishers who opened their hearts while doctors mended his.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
It has been just over two weeks since doctors released Jackson from The Queen's Medical Center following his surgery to replace a damaged heart valve on Nov. 21, a condition that was caused by a bacterial infection.
Former University of Hawai'i free safety Nate Jackson, with son Nate Jr., looks over some of the hundreds of letters he received from well-wishers following his heart surgery.
Jackson's ordeal touched off a flood of statewide donations, fund-raisers and get-well cards from people — many of whom never met Jackson — but enjoyed his on-field performances and lengthy autograph sessions after games.
"It's overwhelming," said Jackson, 22, who recently got his health insurance reinstated. "I didn't realize by playing football I could touch this many people. I want to thank everyone for their support.
"I'm feeling a lot better," Jackson continued. "It's good to be home. It makes the body heal a lot faster."
Jackson said he's planning to get married to girlfriend Shirreen Keliinoi soon. They have two children, son, Nate Jr., 2, and daughter, Ho'olehua Pua'ala, born on Dec. 6.
Jackson, a 1998 Wai'anae High graduate, was a four-year starter at free safety for UH before completing his football eligibility last December. He competed in the Tennessee Titans' training camp before leaving to tend to family matters. Jackson is also a senior outfielder for the UH baseball team.
• Entertainers Henry Kapono, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Ernie Cruz, Sean Na'auao, Anela'ikalani, Moke Boy, Reign and Tino are scheduled to perform in "A Flyin' Hawaiian Christmas Concert" benefit for Nate Jackson on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hawai'i Ballroom. • Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at all Ticket Plus outlets, Foodland and Sack n' Save stores, the Sheraton Dining Desk or by calling 526-4400 to charge by phone. For more information, call Sheraton Waikiki Hotel at 922-4422. • Also, donations can be made at any First Hawaiian Bank or mailed to: Friends of Nate Jackson, P.O. Box 4948, Kane'ohe, HI, 96744.
Jackson said he still has dreams of playing professional football and wants to play for the UH baseball team in the spring if he's healthy. He said if he's denied a medical hardship for baseball, he would try to "play half the season."
Jackson benefit
"It's a hard decision to make," said Jackson, who has withdrawn from school this semester. "I want to play, but I want to be healthy."
Doctors replaced Jackson's damaged heart valve with a healthy valve harvested from a pig. With the pig valve, doctors told him he could play competitive sports. If Jackson accepted a mechanical valve, he would need blood thinners that could put him in jeopardy if he suffered a baseball injury, doctors said. Jackson said he will have to undergo another surgery between the next 10 or 20 years to replace the pig valve with a longer-lasting mechanical valve.
Jackson, who is 5 feet 10 and weighs 158 pounds after losing 30 pounds, said he still doesn't know how he became infected with the bacteria that resembled "a little caterpillar just dangling around." The bacteria could have entered his body from his tattoos, previous injuries or needle shots, doctors told him.
"My family members all pointed to the tattoos," said Jackson, who has several visible tattoos on his forearms. "I firmly believe it could have been anything."
Jackson said he came down with right-side muscle pain, leg cramps and chills about 1 1/2 weeks before he was admitted to The Queen's Medical Center on Oct. 24. He thought at first the muscle pain was caused by lifting weights, but quickly realized that wasn't the case.
It got so bad at one point, Jackson had to be taken in a wheelchair into the UH medical offices because he couldn't walk.
Only when he was admitted to Queen's did doctors find the bacteria that was damaging his heart valve. Doctors gave him antibiotics and hoped the bacteria wouldn't break off and enter into his brain.
"I got lucky with the right antibiotics," Jackson said. "It started killing the bacteria."
Doctors told Keliinoi, that Jackson's condition was bad and he would need surgery. Doctors held nothing back when informing her of his condition, she said.
"It was, 'Oh God,' " Keliinoi said. "My life was just starting. I couldn't see myself raising my two kids on my own."
Keliinoi was one of the many family members who comforted Jackson during his ordeal. A steady stream of friends, family, UH president Evan Dobelle and UH coaches from the baseball and football programs dropped by to raise his spirits, including football coach June Jones, Jackson said.
"Coach Jones is a player's coach," Jackson said. "We just talked about everything and the football season. He would talk to me about sports to get my mind off the hospital."
Jackson said he appreciated the UH football team placing "NJ" stickers on the back of their helmets, which he said made him feel a part of the team again. He returned the favor by staying up late and watching every UH game on television.
"It's what we call the bruddah-hood," said Jackson, who hopes to attend the inaugural ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl on Christmas Day.
Jackson said he's still reading the hundreds of letters that he received from well-wishers.
So heartwarming were some of the letters, Jackson said he had to tell his girlfriend to put them away before he broke down.
"I'll get to them," Jackson said. "Basically, a lot of them say thanks for the memories."
