Andrew's fight with Guillain Barre syndrome
Donation protected
Andrew (Red) McClymont was a fit, healthy 32 year old Dad to Ollie (7 months) & husband to Elle-May until about 3 weeks ago. Thinking he had hurt his back from working as a farm hand or doing one of his favourite passtimes of pig chasing or fishing he went to see a chiropractor. Soon after Red felt a tingling sensation in his arms & fingers. By Saturday night the 3rd August Red collapsed at home 3 times stating he was unable to feel his legs. Sunday morning after collapsing once again Elle-may called the ambulance thinking it was a pinched nerve in his back.
Red was transported to Moree Hospital where he was very quickly airlifted to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital with the diagnosis of Guillian Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord. GBS can range from a very mild case with brief weakness to nearly devastating paralysis, leaving the person unable to breathe independently. Fortunately, most people eventually recover from even the most severe cases of GBS. After recovery, some people will continue to have some degree of weakness.
The exact cause of GBS is not known. Researchers don’t know why it strikes some people and not others. It is not contagious or inherited.
What they do know is that the affected person's immune system begins to attack the body itself. It is thought that, at least in some cases, this immune attack is initiated to fight an infection and that some chemicals on infecting bacteria and viruses resemble those on nerve cells, which, in turn, also become targets of attack. Since the body’s own immune system does the damage, GBS is called an autoimmune disease (“auto” meaning “self”). Normally the immune system uses antibodies (molecules produced in an immune response) and special white blood cells to protect us by attacking infecting microorganisms (bacteria and viruses). In Guillain-Barré syndrome, however, the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy nerves.
Since arriving in Tamworth on Sunday it was unknown how severe Red's symptoms would become. We were told to expect the worse but hope for the best. Yesterday it was thought that Andrew's lung function was becoming worse & he would be on a mechanical ventilator within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Today however the news is much brighter with the Dr telling Red his symptoms had plateaued & it was only up from here. Even though the news is much better Red still has a long tough road in front of him. It's going to take intense physiotherapy & hydrotherapy before he can walk again and move his muscles to be able to be self reliant. It is still unknown if he will be left with any or some degree of damage.
Please help raise funds to support Red, Elle-may & Ollie as they will need to live away from home in Tamworth for sometime while Red undergoes his recovery. This is going to be one tough time for them all. It will be much appreciated for any support you can give to make this road to recovery a little less stressful for them all.
Red was transported to Moree Hospital where he was very quickly airlifted to Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital with the diagnosis of Guillian Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord. GBS can range from a very mild case with brief weakness to nearly devastating paralysis, leaving the person unable to breathe independently. Fortunately, most people eventually recover from even the most severe cases of GBS. After recovery, some people will continue to have some degree of weakness.
The exact cause of GBS is not known. Researchers don’t know why it strikes some people and not others. It is not contagious or inherited.
What they do know is that the affected person's immune system begins to attack the body itself. It is thought that, at least in some cases, this immune attack is initiated to fight an infection and that some chemicals on infecting bacteria and viruses resemble those on nerve cells, which, in turn, also become targets of attack. Since the body’s own immune system does the damage, GBS is called an autoimmune disease (“auto” meaning “self”). Normally the immune system uses antibodies (molecules produced in an immune response) and special white blood cells to protect us by attacking infecting microorganisms (bacteria and viruses). In Guillain-Barré syndrome, however, the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy nerves.
Since arriving in Tamworth on Sunday it was unknown how severe Red's symptoms would become. We were told to expect the worse but hope for the best. Yesterday it was thought that Andrew's lung function was becoming worse & he would be on a mechanical ventilator within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Today however the news is much brighter with the Dr telling Red his symptoms had plateaued & it was only up from here. Even though the news is much better Red still has a long tough road in front of him. It's going to take intense physiotherapy & hydrotherapy before he can walk again and move his muscles to be able to be self reliant. It is still unknown if he will be left with any or some degree of damage.
Please help raise funds to support Red, Elle-may & Ollie as they will need to live away from home in Tamworth for sometime while Red undergoes his recovery. This is going to be one tough time for them all. It will be much appreciated for any support you can give to make this road to recovery a little less stressful for them all.
Fundraising team (4)
Andrea Coss
Organizer
Gravesend NSW
Elle-May McClymont
Beneficiary
Jamelie Dudley Smith
Team member
Taylah McClymont
Team member
