Miracle for McGinnis

Hello everyone! My name is Kyle McGinnis, and I'm here to raise funds for myself. I have been diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner syndrome, which has left me paralyzed in my arms and hands. This has made it difficult for me to perform even the simplest of tasks. I have been advised to undergo stem cell therapy, which can help me regain most if not all of my mobility and improve my quality of life. However, the cost of this treatment is quite high, and I am unable to afford it on my own.

I am hoping to raise enough funds to cover the cost of the treatment and get back on my feet. Any amount that you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!

WHAT HAPPENED?

I lost the ability to move my hands and arms in January 2020 while receiving treatment at HCMC. I was hospitalized on January 28, 2020, due to a persistent fever of 105° and a severe lung infection. After I was admitted, my health quickly declined. I was given a paralyzing drug to prevent resistance to the ventilator after being intubated to help with my breathing. Remarkably, I remained on the ventilator for 83 days, which is significantly longer than the typical life expectancy of one week while on such a device (typically 15%). Five chest tubes had to be put in to drain the fluid from my lungs as a result of multiple pneumothoraxes’ I developed while using the ventilator. Additionally, on June 3, 2020, I underwent VATS surgery to repair a collapsed lung. At this point, my oxygen levels were extremely low, prompting medical staff to position me on my stomach for 16 hours a day for several weeks. Strangely, four days after being placed in this position, I suddenly lost the ability to squeeze my mother's hand. When my mother inquired about this, the doctors had no explanation. The lack of investigation into this issue is deeply concerning from my perspective. This marked the beginning of the paralysis, which persisted for several months without any definitive diagnosis. Extensive testing was conducted, including the examination of my blood and tissue samples at renowned medical institutions such as the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic, yet no conclusive findings were obtained. There was a moment when the doctors suspected I had a rare form of cancer called HLH and proposed initiating chemotherapy, but my father opposed this course of action. Thankfully, his resistance was justified as subsequent tests came back negative for the condition.

I was transferred to several different medical facilities. I stayed at Regency Acute Care Hospital from April 6, 2020, to May 16, 2020, North Memorial Hospital from May 16, 2020, to July 9, 2020, and Courage Kenny Inpatient Hospital from July 9, 2020, to October 2, 2020. After that, I stayed at Geneva Suite from October 2, 2020, to August 13, 2021, where I needed to be fed every meal. Then, I was moved to an assisted living facility until January 2022. Despite spending 9 months in the hospital, the doctors couldn't diagnose my condition. This was extremely worrisome for both me and my family. (According to my mother, I might have been one of the first cases of Covid19.) The medical term for my arm/hand paralysis is Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. I believe it was caused by the prolonged pressure on my brachialis nerve due to being positioned face down for hours on end without proper padding under my chest. This condition occurs when the brachialis nerve is compressed or severed for an extended period. The compression of that nerve for 16 hours a day over several months resulted in permanent paralysis of both my arms and hands. Although it seems like a case of medical malpractice, I cannot pursue a lawsuit as they did it to save my life. It is truly a miracle that I am still alive. Given the circumstances, my chance of survival was only 1%. When the chaplain visited me daily, I knew my time was running out. God saved me for a purpose, and it wasn't to simply exist. Seeing everyone around me thriving while I struggle to do even the simplest tasks pains me. This condition makes it utterly impossible to work.

MY RECOVERY

It has been 42 months since I first entered the hospital, and despite significant progress in my recovery, day-to-day existence remains a tremendous challenge. My upper body strength is virtually nonexistent, as I can barely lift a 5-pound object at this stage. Lifting anything above shoulder level is simply impossible for me due to the complete paralysis of my left hand, forcing my right hand to compensate for all tasks. During my 9-month hospital stay, I shed nearly 100 pounds. Besides, when my parents took me out, I'd lived in isolation because of sheer embarrassment. I would not be here if it weren't for my parents. If I had to do it alone, it wouldn't be worth it. As a son, I am blessed with the best parents in the world. They get me out of my place as much as possible from taking me down south in the winter to breezy point in the summer. They've also become my personal taxi so this stem cell treatment is as much for them as it is for me. With this, they can have their retirement back and have a massive amount of stress lifted off their shoulders.

At a height of 6 feet 7 inches, my weight plummeted to 156 pounds. Despite my weakened arm strength, I have managed to find adapter hooks for my hands, enabling me to engage in gym workouts and rebuild all other areas of my physique, except for my arms. The trauma my body endured caused nearly half of my hair to fall out in substantial clumps, which took 24 months to fully regrow. During the initial year, I was unable to walk and had a customized wheelchair specifically tailored to my needs. There was uncertainty surrounding my ability to regain the ability to walk, making the delivery of the custom wheelchair an incredibly nerve-racking moment. However, to my relief, I managed to walk up and receive it! The uncertainty of never walking again was a terrifying prospect, and I am immensely grateful that my legs pulled through. Over the past year, I have dedicated two hours per day, six days per week, to intense gym sessions. The pain during the first six months was excruciating, but I persevered and pushed through it. Since that initial period, I have managed to regain approximately 60 pounds of weight. At present, my body may appear relatively normal, but the reality is quite different. The brachialis nerve affects my entire arm, causing my left arm to hang limply and rendering my left hand practically non-functional. On the other hand, my right side is significantly better; my arm hangs in a normal manner and functions almost normally. However, my right wrist is extremely weak. I underwent tendon transfer and functional muscle transfer surgery at the Mayo Clinic in an attempt to rectify the issue, but it yielded minimal improvement. If I attempt to lift anything exceeding half a pound, my wrist simply gives out, making basic tasks such as eating or picking up a drink complicated. This reality has been utterly devastating for me, as it is undeniably embarrassing to be unable to perform ordinary activities like eating and drinking. By the three-year mark, one's recovery reaches its peak. With a great deal of life left to live, I cannot imagine spending the remainder of my days like this.