Help Annette In Her Fight Against Guillain Barré Syndrome

What started as a wonderful trip to Georgia visiting family, ended with a devastating diagnosis

of Guillain Barré Syndrome abbreviated as GBS. Annette went from joyfully playing with

her 3 year old great niece and 18 month old great nephew to complete paralysis in a matter of 28 hours.

She spent 13 days in a hospital in Atlanta Georgia,

11 days in a hospital in Jupiter Florida, and

24 days at an Acute Care Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Jupiter.

GBS is a rare neurological autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly

attacks part of the peripheral nervous system-the network of nerves that carries signals from

the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.

She underwent dozens of tests.

5 days of IVIG in Georgia and an additional 2 days of IVIG treatment in Florida.

IVIG or Intravenous Immunoglobulin, is the standard of care for GBS. It is an infusion

therapy/treatment that uses a concentrated collection of antibodies that help stop

harmful antibodies from damaging nerves. The goal of IVIG is to normalize a compromised

immune system. IVIG is made from plasma donated by healthy people and is given

through a drip directly into a vein.

She definitely got worse, before she got better, and has good days and bad days,

which is all typical for GBS. She experienced difficulty talking, swallowing, facial paralysis,

excruciating levels of pain, nausea, not being able to swallow/eat. She was unable to feel or

use her hands, arms, legs and feet.

She experienced such complete paralysis that she was unable to even use her

arms/hands to press the call button for nurse assistance.

She tolerated the 550 mile drive to Florida well and once there,

started daily physical and occupational therapy.

She worked up to doing 3 hours a day of physical and occupational therapy.

Annette is at home now where she lives with our parents and prior to her

diagnosis she took care of our 84 year old father, who is on oxygen 24/7 and suffers from

various health issues. Now our fabulous 82 year old mother is taking care of both of them.

As you can imagine, even with insurance, her out of pocket costs continue to add up.

A wheelchair ramp, wheelchair, hospital bed, walker and multiple other pieces of equipment

were needed at home. She had a nurse that came to the house for a couple visits, physical and

occupational therapy three times per week at home. As well as, frequent physician appointments

and her condition requires that she take multiple medications.

Hopefully starting next week she will begin going to Out Patient Physical Therapy three times a week

at the Rehabilitation Hospital she was at in Jupiter for more intense therapy.

Annette has had an incredible fighting spirit throughout this rollercoaster of a journey.

Her positive attitude in the midst of weakness, pain and exhaustion, along with her pure will,

grit and determination is and has been nothing short of inspiring and amazing.

With that being said, her journey to recovery is not over.

That process is extremely slow and sometimes can take up to a year.

As she continues to fight to overcome this life altering condition we ask for your support,

whether big or small, to help cover her mounting expenses.

Every dollar donated will make a meaningful difference.

Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser with others.

We cannot thank you enough for your kindness, generosity and support.