Help Nolan Arasato Fight G.B.S.
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Aloha,
Please help Nolan Arasato fundraise for ongoing medical treatments and to help offset mounting living expenses because Nolan’s wife Uilani is unable to work being Nolan’s full-time caregiver. He also needs help to purchase a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift to transport him to his appointment.
This is his story battling GBS
On March 23 ,2014 I suddenly became ill and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré. While spending a family day driving around the island I began feeling stiffness, pain and tingling in my legs, fingers, and jaw. By noon, I was unable to stand, use my fingers, and eat. I also had difficulty talking. Ui and the kids rushed me to the hospital fearing I had suffered a stroke. After a few days of test including CT scans, MRIs and a spinal tap, I was diagnosed with GBS.
(Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. GBS is characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness, and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face. Paralysis is ascending, meaning that it travels up the limbs from fingers and toes towards the torso. GBS affects about 1 in 100,000 people striking any one at any age, regardless of gender or ethnic background. Most patients are able to fully recover within 1 to 3 years.
Shortly after my diagnosis I was admitted into the ICU and underwent Plasma replacement therapy for 10 days. This procedure involves removing the blood plasma from my blood and replacing it with donor plasma. By this time I had lost most function of my body. I Could not move my legs, hands, face and mouth. About the only thing I could move was my arms and my neck. I was also having respiratory weakness but thank God I was very fortunate because I didn’t require a ventilator and I did not have any numbness. A large percentage of GBS patients have respiratory failure and are 99% paralyzed. Most patients are only able to blink their eyes, experience numbness and suffer major organ failure. To try and explain my condition best, my illness has reduced me into a 230 pound infant.
This was a very stressful, frightening and chaotic time for Ui and the kids. Ui never left my side and the kids sang with me daily lifting my spirits. I spent about 3 weeks in ICU and was discharged home on April 17. Before discharge I had a feeding tube surgically installed into my stomach to eat because I could not chew, swallow or close my mouth adequately.
The past 10 months home recovering has been the most vulnerable, stressful and humbling time our family has ever experienced.We have pulled together to tackle a multitude of medical, financial and emotional obstacles facing our family.
My recovery has been slow. I am now able to close my mouth, swallow and regain chewing. My talking is slurred but improving enough to talk on the phone.The strength in my arms are slowly improving but I am still unable to use my fingers or lift my arms above my head. I’m doing OK typing with my knuckles but I can't hold a pencil or pick up the ukulele. My legs and feet are still unresponsive so I am unable to stand or walk. I have to be lifted into my wheelchair with a Hoyer lift to get around. I have been battling bouts of depression but singing and watching sermons on the Kalo channel has helped me cope. I also have nerve pains in my legs but I have been managing without medications. I will be seeing a Neurologist for ongoing tests and treatment. I am also seeking ongoing speech, physical and occupational therapy to progress my rehabilitation. Living through this ordeal has taught me not to take life for granted, especially my loved ones each and every day. This trial has brought our family closer together. and taught us to depend more on each other.
In closing I hope that this information has shed some light on any worry or fear. May it fill you with encouragement, wisdom and joy! Please do not hesitate to contact, call or visit us. Any contact helps me with my recovery and brings me joy! Please share this information with anyone you come in contact with, even if they are not acquainted with me. Please refer to the web sight www.gbs-cidp.org for in depth information about my illness.
Mahalo and God Bless, Nolan Arasato
Please help Nolan Arasato fundraise for ongoing medical treatments and to help offset mounting living expenses because Nolan’s wife Uilani is unable to work being Nolan’s full-time caregiver. He also needs help to purchase a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift to transport him to his appointment.
This is his story battling GBS
On March 23 ,2014 I suddenly became ill and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré. While spending a family day driving around the island I began feeling stiffness, pain and tingling in my legs, fingers, and jaw. By noon, I was unable to stand, use my fingers, and eat. I also had difficulty talking. Ui and the kids rushed me to the hospital fearing I had suffered a stroke. After a few days of test including CT scans, MRIs and a spinal tap, I was diagnosed with GBS.
(Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. GBS is characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness, and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face. Paralysis is ascending, meaning that it travels up the limbs from fingers and toes towards the torso. GBS affects about 1 in 100,000 people striking any one at any age, regardless of gender or ethnic background. Most patients are able to fully recover within 1 to 3 years.
Shortly after my diagnosis I was admitted into the ICU and underwent Plasma replacement therapy for 10 days. This procedure involves removing the blood plasma from my blood and replacing it with donor plasma. By this time I had lost most function of my body. I Could not move my legs, hands, face and mouth. About the only thing I could move was my arms and my neck. I was also having respiratory weakness but thank God I was very fortunate because I didn’t require a ventilator and I did not have any numbness. A large percentage of GBS patients have respiratory failure and are 99% paralyzed. Most patients are only able to blink their eyes, experience numbness and suffer major organ failure. To try and explain my condition best, my illness has reduced me into a 230 pound infant.
This was a very stressful, frightening and chaotic time for Ui and the kids. Ui never left my side and the kids sang with me daily lifting my spirits. I spent about 3 weeks in ICU and was discharged home on April 17. Before discharge I had a feeding tube surgically installed into my stomach to eat because I could not chew, swallow or close my mouth adequately.
The past 10 months home recovering has been the most vulnerable, stressful and humbling time our family has ever experienced.We have pulled together to tackle a multitude of medical, financial and emotional obstacles facing our family.
My recovery has been slow. I am now able to close my mouth, swallow and regain chewing. My talking is slurred but improving enough to talk on the phone.The strength in my arms are slowly improving but I am still unable to use my fingers or lift my arms above my head. I’m doing OK typing with my knuckles but I can't hold a pencil or pick up the ukulele. My legs and feet are still unresponsive so I am unable to stand or walk. I have to be lifted into my wheelchair with a Hoyer lift to get around. I have been battling bouts of depression but singing and watching sermons on the Kalo channel has helped me cope. I also have nerve pains in my legs but I have been managing without medications. I will be seeing a Neurologist for ongoing tests and treatment. I am also seeking ongoing speech, physical and occupational therapy to progress my rehabilitation. Living through this ordeal has taught me not to take life for granted, especially my loved ones each and every day. This trial has brought our family closer together. and taught us to depend more on each other.
In closing I hope that this information has shed some light on any worry or fear. May it fill you with encouragement, wisdom and joy! Please do not hesitate to contact, call or visit us. Any contact helps me with my recovery and brings me joy! Please share this information with anyone you come in contact with, even if they are not acquainted with me. Please refer to the web sight www.gbs-cidp.org for in depth information about my illness.
Mahalo and God Bless, Nolan Arasato
Organizer
Noly Ara
Organizer
Waianae, HI
