Medical costs for Alicia

This request is on behalf of Alicia Sadek and her family. As she was recently diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The funds raised will go towards her treatment, hospital stay, rehabilitation center stay, outpatient physical therapy, as well as the loss of income as she will be out of work for many, many months.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves after the body is weakened from an illness or vaccine. Although doctors can’t officially confirm the cause, this was likely a result of her body fighting COVID twice in just a few months and having the COVID vaccine.

Here is her story:

December 2021: Alicia began to feel excruciation pain in her hips, with multiple doctor visits, an ER visit, and multiple test (CT and MRI of the pelvis) she was left with no explanation as to what was causing the pain.

Early January: Her symptoms progressed into shoulder pain, tingling feelings in her arms, and slight numbness in her feet.

January 21st: Things took a turn as half Alicia’s face became numb and began to droop. Her doctor then ordered a rush MRI of the brain as the concern grew. She was diagnosed with Bells Palsy and given medication for treatment.

January 23rd: After just a couple days of treatment it was clear that it was a misdiagnosis as both sides of her face became numb and drooped. She could no longer even smile. With a trip to the ER, she was referred and transferred to the Neurology unit at United Hospital in St. Paul. Doctors at United did a full work up and resulted in the diagnosis of GBS. She had lost her ability to walk unassisted (needed a walker) and had constant tremors as she lost the use of her fine motor skills. With a 5 day stay Alicia underwent IVIG treatment in hopes of recovery from this uncurable condition.

January 28th: Alicia was released from United as she started to see improvements in her mobility. While at home, she started her outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy (PT,OT) weekly. She continued to see improvements for just a short time.

Early February: She noticed her legs began to become weak again, the numbness in her feet was increasing and she began to fall at home.

February 25th: Alicia was admitted to University of Minnesota Neurology Unit after having fallen multiple times and no long able to control her feet. As her condition relapsed, she underwent a second round of IVIG treatment that lasted multiple days.

March 1st: Alicia was released into the care of Fairview Acute Rehabilitation Center for inpatient PT and OT. She is nearly paralyzed as movement in her feet is still difficult. Alicia now requires a wheelchair to get to and from her room, nurses to assist in getting in and out of bed, and assistance with use of the restroom and daily tasks.

Alicia and her family have a very long unknown road ahead as road to recovery is months and possibly years if even at all. The doctors have warned that this could get worse before it gets better. She is currently still at Fairview Acute Rehabilitation Center as she will have to relearn seemingly simple daily functions, things we take for granted. In her words “I can’t even wipe my own a$$”

Thank you for reading her story and any donation helps, even a dollar.