support page for Jay, Nancy and David Cody
Donation protected
Jay was sent by air ambulance from BVDH to VGH on October 28 with a history of progressive muscle weakness in his legs starting the Sunday previous preceded by a week of a sore neck which he hyper-flexed to stay comfortable.
After multiple MRIs (all requiring a general anesthetic) Jay was diagnosed with Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis (LETM). The type is still to be determined but narrowed down to either auto-immune or idiopathic. This means that almost 1/2 of his spinal cord is inflamed without a history of trauma, illness or compression.
As a result, Jay is currently unable to weight-bear and requires two people to transfer him from the bed to a wheelchair. He has been treated with steroids and is currently undergoing a treatment called plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange.
It requires the placement of a central line into his jugular vein under general anesthesia, following five 3 hour sessions of plasma exchange every second day.
It is a process in which the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, is separated from the blood cells.
The plasma contains antibodies and the procedure removes potentially harmful antibodies from the blood. A machine is used to remove the affected plasma and replace it.
In Jay’s situation the plasma is replaced with donated and pasteurized albumin.
VGH studies report that the effectiveness of plasma exchange in Transverse Myelitis is about 30-40%. There are many variables that impact the effectiveness of plasma exchange.
We are all hopeful that he will walk again.
Jay is taking most things in stride and is sharing his great smile often, needless to say that the past 5 weeks and counting have been exceptionally stressful on the family.
Nancy has been staying at the Easter Seal House in Vancouver to be with Jay while David has been battling angina, congestive heart failure and 4 huge kidney stones at home. He will be flown to VGH on Sunday, Dec 2 nd to see a cardiologist and urologist.
This prolonged and ongoing health crisis and need to be living in Vancouver has drained Nancy and David's savings and any financial support offered would be greatly appreciated.
Nancy, David, Jay and family are humbled and deeply grateful for the countless kind words, thoughts and prayers that have lifted the three throughout this challenging time so far and continue to pour in. We truly live in an amazing community, your love and caring will never be forgotten.
After multiple MRIs (all requiring a general anesthetic) Jay was diagnosed with Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis (LETM). The type is still to be determined but narrowed down to either auto-immune or idiopathic. This means that almost 1/2 of his spinal cord is inflamed without a history of trauma, illness or compression.
As a result, Jay is currently unable to weight-bear and requires two people to transfer him from the bed to a wheelchair. He has been treated with steroids and is currently undergoing a treatment called plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange.
It requires the placement of a central line into his jugular vein under general anesthesia, following five 3 hour sessions of plasma exchange every second day.
It is a process in which the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, is separated from the blood cells.
The plasma contains antibodies and the procedure removes potentially harmful antibodies from the blood. A machine is used to remove the affected plasma and replace it.
In Jay’s situation the plasma is replaced with donated and pasteurized albumin.
VGH studies report that the effectiveness of plasma exchange in Transverse Myelitis is about 30-40%. There are many variables that impact the effectiveness of plasma exchange.
We are all hopeful that he will walk again.
Jay is taking most things in stride and is sharing his great smile often, needless to say that the past 5 weeks and counting have been exceptionally stressful on the family.
Nancy has been staying at the Easter Seal House in Vancouver to be with Jay while David has been battling angina, congestive heart failure and 4 huge kidney stones at home. He will be flown to VGH on Sunday, Dec 2 nd to see a cardiologist and urologist.
This prolonged and ongoing health crisis and need to be living in Vancouver has drained Nancy and David's savings and any financial support offered would be greatly appreciated.
Nancy, David, Jay and family are humbled and deeply grateful for the countless kind words, thoughts and prayers that have lifted the three throughout this challenging time so far and continue to pour in. We truly live in an amazing community, your love and caring will never be forgotten.
Organizer and beneficiary
Franziska Cody
Organizer
Telkwa, BC
Nancy Cody
Beneficiary