Help Hallie adjust to her chronic diagnosis

Hallie, my 23 year old daughter, (born & raised San Juan Island girl and FHHS alum) has just received a diagnosis of CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy).

This condition prevents Hallie from returning to college, and any chance of having a regular job. She’s fortunate to have good medical insurance But, like the rest of us, she still has bills to pay, and many trips back and forth to see her neurologist in Seattle.

Update: 6/28/23

Hallie received another infusion last week and is starting to feel improvements.

She'd like to thank everyone for the generous donations. This has really helped ease her mind when it comes finances.

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Back Story:

Last Fall, my daughter, Hallie, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Hashimotos) and a week later an additional diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. We were told that this is one of the mildest & treatable cancers (great news!). 4 days after Christmas, she had her Thyroid removed. A week later, Hallie developed partial paralysis in her face and was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. The next week, her feet & legs started feeling tingly, then numb. Within 3 weeks of her thyroid surgery, Hallie could only walk with the help of canes. First one cane, then she needed 2. When the numbness traveled up to her waist, her neurologist said to get her down to Seattle immediately. In the hospital, Hallie received a spinal lumbar puncture, which revealed that she had Gillian-Barré.

Guillain-Barré (gee-YAHN-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body.

The most commonly used treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). When you have Guillain-Barré syndrome, the immune system (the body's natural defences) produces harmful antibodies that attack the nerves. IVIG is a treatment made from donated blood that contains healthy antibodies.

Hallie started seeing immediate improvements, and was discharged from the hospital after 5 days. In the following 2-3 weeks, Hallie had improved so much, that she didn’t need to use the canes any longer (still slightly clumsy walking).

Unfortunately, Hallie has started to decline again, with tingling and numbness returning. We returned to her neurologist where he diagnosed her with the CIDP (a chronic condition)

Hallie will need to receive infusions (IVIG) every 4 weeks, probably for the rest of her life. Hopefully being able to stretch the time in between infusions as time goes on.

Hallie is/was a very fit young adult. She was a cheerleader for 10+ years, and loved hiking and many other outdoor activities. Now, a 10 minute slow walk wears her out.