My Guillain-Barré syndrome story so far...
On June 26, my arms hands and feet began to go numb. At Grand strand hospital, watched closely as the paralysis crept closer and closer to my core. Just before midnight, I lost the ability to swallow. Soon there after I lost the ability to breath. That’s when they knock me out and put a tube down my chest.
For the next 10 days, I was a totally paralyzed quadriplegic. Transferred down to MUSC where they did many tests and treatment.
When the paralysis began to subside, they remove the breathing tube and put in a tracheotomy and a feeding tube. After another week I transferred to my current hospital down here in Charleston.
I have been working with therapist every day. Today I stood up under my own power for thefirst time. My quads are coming back. My core is back. My arms, hands, and feet, not so much. I can use about 1/2 of my left hand and about 1/4 of my right hand. I can eat myself and do a few tasks but that is about it.
It all goes well with the paperwork, I should be transferring this week therapy center back in Myrtle Beach. I will be there for several weeks as I learn how to use my hands again and how to do it every day tasks. Getting stronger every day.
This has been a life altering experience one which has made me realize that I am allowed to love and I am allowed to be loved. I have had a lot of time to literally do nothing but think and my perspective on a lot of things have changed and fundamental and I think positive ways.
A lot of men maintain this fantasy that when we meet death we will do so on our own terms, with a steely gaze, the bodies of our enemies piled around us and we are standing in spent brass. When I met death, I wascompletely helpless, prostrate on my face and unable to even gaze. That cuts through a lot of hubris and pride.
This has been the most terrifying yet most profound experience of my life. I choose to use it to have a more positive perspective for the rest of my life.
I look forward to meeting each of you when I get back to reality and learn how to ride a bicycle again.
On June 26, my arms hands and feet began to go numb. At Grand strand hospital, watched closely as the paralysis crept closer and closer to my core. Just before midnight, I lost the ability to swallow. Soon there after I lost the ability to breath. That’s when they knock me out and put a tube down my chest.
For the next 10 days, I was a totally paralyzed quadriplegic. Transferred down to MUSC where they did many tests and treatment.
When the paralysis began to subside, they remove the breathing tube and put in a tracheotomy and a feeding tube. After another week I transferred to my current hospital down here in Charleston.
I have been working with therapist every day. Today I stood up under my own power for thefirst time. My quads are coming back. My core is back. My arms, hands, and feet, not so much. I can use about 1/2 of my left hand and about 1/4 of my right hand. I can eat myself and do a few tasks but that is about it.
It all goes well with the paperwork, I should be transferring this week therapy center back in Myrtle Beach. I will be there for several weeks as I learn how to use my hands again and how to do it every day tasks. Getting stronger every day.
This has been a life altering experience one which has made me realize that I am allowed to love and I am allowed to be loved. I have had a lot of time to literally do nothing but think and my perspective on a lot of things have changed and fundamental and I think positive ways.
A lot of men maintain this fantasy that when we meet death we will do so on our own terms, with a steely gaze, the bodies of our enemies piled around us and we are standing in spent brass. When I met death, I wascompletely helpless, prostrate on my face and unable to even gaze. That cuts through a lot of hubris and pride.
This has been the most terrifying yet most profound experience of my life. I choose to use it to have a more positive perspective for the rest of my life.
I look forward to meeting each of you when I get back to reality and learn how to ride a bicycle again.