Help Chris Goodson Fight GBS
Donation protected
Two days before Christmas on the afternoon of December 23rd, Chris Goodson experienced signs of a stroke. He had difficulty walking, numbness, and his right eye appeared to be drooping slightly. He collapsed and fortunately his son & daughter were present and able to assist and drive him to the ER. After some tests, the doctors at East GA Regional diagnosed him with a sinus infection, gave him a breathing treatment and prescription, and sent him home.
Within only a few hours his condition rapidly deteriorated. He’s slurring his words. He cannot even eat or drink without coughing it up. Furthermore, he has completely lost any ability to walk and can barely support his own weight, even with our assistance.
Early the next morning on Christmas Eve, with no signs of improvement, we are able to return him to the local ER and he is stabilized and transported to the ER at Memorial University Hospital in Savannah. There he is treated with IVIG - one of two possible treatments for his illness. Unbelievably, on his transfer to the ICU, he experiences an allergic reaction to it and goes into anaphylactic shock. They quickly manage to stabilize him and decide to intubate with a ventilator before deteriorating further.
After many blood tests, a spinal tap, CT & MRI scans later and doctors have decided on the diagnosis of Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS). As of 1/6/18, he has been in the ICU nearly 2 weeks. Over the course of his stay he has gone through anaphylactic shock, a twice collapsed lung, chest tubes for that, and a GI scare. He’s currently still on a ventilator, with a trach as of 1/4/18. He is essentially ~95% paralyzed. He is able to wiggle his feet, hands, and jaw, but cannot open his eyes, or lift any of his limbs, despite being completely aware of everything going on around him.
What is Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) Syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerve cells, usually after a trigger like the flu or an infection. It affects 1-2 people per 100,000, but can strike anyone of any age. Thankfully, 70-80% make a near full recovery. However this can take anywhere from 6 months up to even 2 years, and requires much in-patient care and rehabilitation.
This has been an incredibly difficult time for Chris and his family. Many of our friends and co-workers have asked, "How can we help?" With growing hospital bills and our father unable to work, the financial burden is a great concern, which is why I have created this GoFundMe campaign.
About Chris
Chris is a retired Marine veteran with a wife and two adult children in Statesboro, GA. He currently works in Claxton as the employment manager assisting in transitional employment for inmates back into the community, of which he has always been an active member. He has always gone out of his way to help others in need - from his years of work volunteering & fundraising for the local VFW, to his entire career of social work as a mental health counselor for the mentally challenged at Pineland in Vidalia and the prisoners of Claxton Women's Probation Detention Center.
Please consider donating whatever you can to help Chris and his family get through this difficult time and get the best care possible.
If you would also like to visit him in the hospital, please contact either me (912-five four one -4412) or my sister, Eileen (912-531-8238). We'll try to post updates here when we are able. And please feel free to share this page with anyone that might know him or like to assist in his recovery.
Within only a few hours his condition rapidly deteriorated. He’s slurring his words. He cannot even eat or drink without coughing it up. Furthermore, he has completely lost any ability to walk and can barely support his own weight, even with our assistance.
Early the next morning on Christmas Eve, with no signs of improvement, we are able to return him to the local ER and he is stabilized and transported to the ER at Memorial University Hospital in Savannah. There he is treated with IVIG - one of two possible treatments for his illness. Unbelievably, on his transfer to the ICU, he experiences an allergic reaction to it and goes into anaphylactic shock. They quickly manage to stabilize him and decide to intubate with a ventilator before deteriorating further.
After many blood tests, a spinal tap, CT & MRI scans later and doctors have decided on the diagnosis of Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS). As of 1/6/18, he has been in the ICU nearly 2 weeks. Over the course of his stay he has gone through anaphylactic shock, a twice collapsed lung, chest tubes for that, and a GI scare. He’s currently still on a ventilator, with a trach as of 1/4/18. He is essentially ~95% paralyzed. He is able to wiggle his feet, hands, and jaw, but cannot open his eyes, or lift any of his limbs, despite being completely aware of everything going on around him.
What is Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) Syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerve cells, usually after a trigger like the flu or an infection. It affects 1-2 people per 100,000, but can strike anyone of any age. Thankfully, 70-80% make a near full recovery. However this can take anywhere from 6 months up to even 2 years, and requires much in-patient care and rehabilitation.
This has been an incredibly difficult time for Chris and his family. Many of our friends and co-workers have asked, "How can we help?" With growing hospital bills and our father unable to work, the financial burden is a great concern, which is why I have created this GoFundMe campaign.
About Chris
Chris is a retired Marine veteran with a wife and two adult children in Statesboro, GA. He currently works in Claxton as the employment manager assisting in transitional employment for inmates back into the community, of which he has always been an active member. He has always gone out of his way to help others in need - from his years of work volunteering & fundraising for the local VFW, to his entire career of social work as a mental health counselor for the mentally challenged at Pineland in Vidalia and the prisoners of Claxton Women's Probation Detention Center.
Please consider donating whatever you can to help Chris and his family get through this difficult time and get the best care possible.
If you would also like to visit him in the hospital, please contact either me (912-five four one -4412) or my sister, Eileen (912-531-8238). We'll try to post updates here when we are able. And please feel free to share this page with anyone that might know him or like to assist in his recovery.
Organizer
John Goodson
Organizer
Statesboro, GA
