Sal's IVIG Story

My husband 32 yr old SGT. Salvador Flores and father of 3 with 1 on the way is having to fight the biggest battle hes come across and no amount of training could prepare him for the battle ahead. After 4 deployments,13yrs in the service we never expected his own body would be the one to turn on him ..It all began about 4 months ago, with slight numbness in his feet and hands,yet being the strong troop he is , he shook it off continued to work as an oil operator 4weeks straight and come home for Military training weekend and break for 6-8 days before going back to work again vigorously. It really hit him when, after a simple game of basketball, drained him and he realized his feet were not cooperating with his mind , he described his feet as dead weight and his arms were heavy. I decided it was time to go see a doctor the following day and he did blood work, urine, blood pressure etc. ALL came back clean and clear.Our Dr.referred us to a Podiatrist who said inserts would help his feet , yet that did no help for his hands and after a week we knew it was much more.
We needed a second opinion and saw a neurologist who did a nerve conduction test,EMG,EEG then for a spinal tap and confirmed there was high levels of protein found , and his reactions to the nerve test were very slow. At the same time Sal had a sleep study done and was told he had sleep apnea and was given a machine to sleep with. Over the next 2 months I was getting more and more depressed, the frustration of not knowing what is wrong with, all the thoughts that go through your mind, could be this or could it be that? No Diagnosis..
After the results of the EMG and nerve test the doctor said he had CIPD a disease I have never heard of before. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, a "rare" autoimmune disease where your own immune system attacks your nerves. Treatments discussed were steroids, and IVIG, unfortunately steroids didn't do it and next was IVIG treatments, yet the high cost of it was mind bottling, anywhere from 30-40k depending on how many treatments and body weight.Keep in my mind Sal is 250lbs..Of course, we do have insurance yet our deductible needed to be met and 15% of payment was required , not including nurses treatment and etc..
It really hurts to see your other half suffer and struggle with everyday tasks such as taking out the trash, opening a jar,helping with groceries or not being able to carry his 2 yr old daughter..My once strong man now has difficulty putting on his socks and buttoning his pants,yet his attitude through it all has been :We gotta have faith and things will fall into place. Being 7 months pregnant myself , doesnt help with my emotional roller coaster , but if my husband can manage to keep his head held up high then I know the Lord will guide us all the way..Any donations, would be greatly appreciated and we as a family think you from the bottom of our hearts, Keep Sal in your prayers....We begin treatment 08/29/2013..