Help Rory Miller on his battle to overcome GBS!
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My name is Gianna Scazzafavo. I am starting this gofund me fundraiser for my Dear Friend Rory Miller. I hope to raise some money to help with the financial burdens that come with extensive hospitalization and rehab. Rory is a devoted Husband and Father who has always provided for his family. He is also devoted to his community serving as St. Bernard Parish Fire Department District Chief. If all goes well TOGETHER we can relieve some of Rory's stresses about bills stacking up so he can put more focus on getting better.
As many know our friend Rory Miller has yet another battle ahead of him. On Saturday January 16, 2021 he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS. GBS is a rapid- onset of muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. GBS is most often caused by a preceding viral infection which for Rory was COVID-19. You see Rory was just discharged from the hospital two days prior after ten days in the hospital for COVID-19.
Below is Rory's story in his own words on January 19, 2021:
"On January 4th, I was hospitalized with COVID. I was in ICU for six days and then moved to the COVID floor until my discharge this past Thursday. On Saturday morning I noticed that I was weaker than I had been. Jesse and I went to run an errand and when I got out to walk I didn't have control of my legs. After discussing it with her we figured out a timeline. At around 1030 Saturday morning I had first noticed weakness, numbness and tingling in my toes and feet. By 230 that afternoon It had reached to just about my knees. She immediately recognized the symptoms as Guillain-Barre Syndrome and immediately took me to the emergency room at Ochsner Northshore. In the emergency room, I had very decreased reflexes in my legs and a little sensation from the knees down. I was admitted and by Sunday morning it had moved up to my thighs. I had no reflexes or sensation from the knees down. As of today I have no feeling or reflexes from the waist down and I am unable to walk. I am able to stand for short periods using a walker and with assistance from another person. One of the treatments for this disease is IV immunoglobulin which I started Saturday night. However, There is a several day/week lag time before it kicks in and starts working. It is still possible for things to worsen over the next few days and it has gotten a little worse each day. GBS is an ascending disease meaning it starts in the toes and/or fingers and moves up. Luckily I still have no issues with my upper body but it is possible for it to move up to my diaphragm in which case I would have to be put on a ventilator. Once it stops progressing we will know what we are working with and I can begin the recovery phase. I will be in the hospital for approximately another week and after that will have to go to an inpatient rehab facility for intense physical therapy so I can hopefully regain the use of my legs. Doctors say recovery can take weeks to years and has told me that they don't expect me to be able to walk unassisted for at least six months. the fight isn't just physical, it's also mental. I can't describe the feeling of being able to use my legs one day and not the next. My family and I have a long road ahead. Please keep us in your prayers." - Rory Miller
Since this facebook post by Rory things have gotten a little worse. The latest update as of January 21st is Rory is completely paralyzed from about 2 inches above his belly button down. If it continues to rise he will be placed on a ventilator to breathe. Rory is having several episodes of cloudy thinking and forgetfulness. Although this could just be GBS he is getting evaluated by Neurology. Jessica has been at his bedside daily and is posting daily updates if you would like to follow up on Rory progress.
Please continues to keep the incredible man and his family in your prayers. He has spent his entire career providing services to his community and helping others. He would give the shirt off his back to a complete stranger. He is truly the most selfless genuine man you will ever meet. Please consider donating anything you can, no amount is too small. I know Rory will be grateful to each and everyone of you. Let's come together as a community and show Rory our support and love.
Below is a LINK to his recent interview by Fox8 NEWS.
https://www.fox8live.com/2021/01/20/st-bernard-parish-fireman-fighting-his-life-against-covid-fellow-firefighters-show-support/?fbclid=IwAR2gRL3Dqs6I25L3LEyY_IoQ_R2_8I-gTVDFIOdW2YskYDTQN1x6LQ-QKrw
As many know our friend Rory Miller has yet another battle ahead of him. On Saturday January 16, 2021 he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS. GBS is a rapid- onset of muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. GBS is most often caused by a preceding viral infection which for Rory was COVID-19. You see Rory was just discharged from the hospital two days prior after ten days in the hospital for COVID-19.
Below is Rory's story in his own words on January 19, 2021:
"On January 4th, I was hospitalized with COVID. I was in ICU for six days and then moved to the COVID floor until my discharge this past Thursday. On Saturday morning I noticed that I was weaker than I had been. Jesse and I went to run an errand and when I got out to walk I didn't have control of my legs. After discussing it with her we figured out a timeline. At around 1030 Saturday morning I had first noticed weakness, numbness and tingling in my toes and feet. By 230 that afternoon It had reached to just about my knees. She immediately recognized the symptoms as Guillain-Barre Syndrome and immediately took me to the emergency room at Ochsner Northshore. In the emergency room, I had very decreased reflexes in my legs and a little sensation from the knees down. I was admitted and by Sunday morning it had moved up to my thighs. I had no reflexes or sensation from the knees down. As of today I have no feeling or reflexes from the waist down and I am unable to walk. I am able to stand for short periods using a walker and with assistance from another person. One of the treatments for this disease is IV immunoglobulin which I started Saturday night. However, There is a several day/week lag time before it kicks in and starts working. It is still possible for things to worsen over the next few days and it has gotten a little worse each day. GBS is an ascending disease meaning it starts in the toes and/or fingers and moves up. Luckily I still have no issues with my upper body but it is possible for it to move up to my diaphragm in which case I would have to be put on a ventilator. Once it stops progressing we will know what we are working with and I can begin the recovery phase. I will be in the hospital for approximately another week and after that will have to go to an inpatient rehab facility for intense physical therapy so I can hopefully regain the use of my legs. Doctors say recovery can take weeks to years and has told me that they don't expect me to be able to walk unassisted for at least six months. the fight isn't just physical, it's also mental. I can't describe the feeling of being able to use my legs one day and not the next. My family and I have a long road ahead. Please keep us in your prayers." - Rory Miller
Since this facebook post by Rory things have gotten a little worse. The latest update as of January 21st is Rory is completely paralyzed from about 2 inches above his belly button down. If it continues to rise he will be placed on a ventilator to breathe. Rory is having several episodes of cloudy thinking and forgetfulness. Although this could just be GBS he is getting evaluated by Neurology. Jessica has been at his bedside daily and is posting daily updates if you would like to follow up on Rory progress.
Please continues to keep the incredible man and his family in your prayers. He has spent his entire career providing services to his community and helping others. He would give the shirt off his back to a complete stranger. He is truly the most selfless genuine man you will ever meet. Please consider donating anything you can, no amount is too small. I know Rory will be grateful to each and everyone of you. Let's come together as a community and show Rory our support and love.
Below is a LINK to his recent interview by Fox8 NEWS.
https://www.fox8live.com/2021/01/20/st-bernard-parish-fireman-fighting-his-life-against-covid-fellow-firefighters-show-support/?fbclid=IwAR2gRL3Dqs6I25L3LEyY_IoQ_R2_8I-gTVDFIOdW2YskYDTQN1x6LQ-QKrw
Organizer and beneficiary
Gianna Scazzafavo
Organizer
Slidell, LA
Jessica Miller
Beneficiary
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