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Lakyn Murray GuillainBarréSyndrome

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February 14, 2018 is a Valentine’s Day which will never be forgotten. This is the day Lakyn’s life was forever altered by the diagnosis of Guillian-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Transferred to ICU and placed on a ventilator on February 15th , this is where she remains today, mostly paralyzed from the neck down.


What is it?

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.This autoimmune disorder destroys the myelin sheath surrounding the axons of the nerves. As the sheath degrades, the nerves are not able to transmit electrical impulses. In Lakyn’s case, which is considered severe, it quickly weakened her diaphragm to the point she was not able to breathe. This newly-wed 26 year old girl went from having her dreams come true to fighting for her life.

Fortunately, treatment began almost immediately. Her neurologist began an aggressive regime of immunoglobulin over the course of 5 days. This lessens the attack on her nervous system and reminds the body to not attack itself. He then added two more doses due to her rapid and extensive decline. She is on day 18 in ICU and requiring a ventilator to survive. This is an absolutely devastating disease both in severity and sudden onset. Since it is a virus, the only way to ensure Lakyn’s life is to support her body until the decline stops, plateaus, and begins the long journey back to normalcy.

Lakyn, #womanwarrior, has shown positive signs of coming back. To stop any damage to her throat and esophagus, she had a tracheotomy and peg (feeding tube through her abdominal wall) surgeries on February 26th . She has begun the arduous process of weaning off of the vent to breathing under her own power. Much to everyone’s excitement, her large muscle groups are beginning to “come on line”. It literally is the little things that make the heart thrill. A slightly stronger hand squeeze, a tad more head control, even the twitch of a toe, all count as a celebrated win.


What can you do to help?

The recovery process is long, intensive, and requires work, grit, and determination. Our girl has these in spades. Her spirit is strong and bright. While attitude will get her far, it will not pay for the extensive medical bill nor for potential years of physical therapy. Lakyn is going to have to relearn to swallow, feed herself, walk, and everything needed to function in everyday life. The more physical therapy she receives, the better her outcome, the better her quality of life.


Lakyn is a 26 yearold, beautiful, creative, funny, spunky gal. The first item she has ever sewn on a machine was her wedding dress, which she designed. She is a wife, sister, daughter, and beloved friend. She is an inspiration, a writer, a dreamer, an artist, a gamer, a lover of life. Please help us bring all of these back to her. If you aren’t able to contribute financially, please keep her in your heart and say a prayer for the fighter in South Carolina. If you are able to ease her financial burden, know that your hard earned donation will help a deserving, amazing, young woman get her life  back. Please feel free to share with anyone and everyone who may be moved by her story.

Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers, and any form of donation. It is all very much appreciated.

-Lauren Jutila and Jenine Stevenson on behalf of Elizabeth Price, mother of Lakyn.

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Donations 

  • Heidi Campbell
    • $40 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Lauren Michelle Jutila
Organizer
Greer, SC
Elizabeth Price
Beneficiary

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