Young mum with Guillain Barre

Hi there. My name is Chloe, I am 22 years old. I have a 2 year old son and my partners name is Josh. 3 weeks ago, I started noticing pins and needles in my feet that were constant. I then got the flu, was quite sick for a week and then the pins and needles travelled to my hands. My doctor just thought it was part of my flu symptoms and so did I. I noticed other things though, (that I thought was part of the flu). Like I was absolutely exhausted doing the littlest things, like washing dishes, showering. I couldn't even hold my son, or look after him as I just was too weak. I would cry to my partner saying I just want to feel normal again. I was also having horrible shooting pain in my neck and it would shoot Up to my head. I couldn't move it much as it was too painful. Last Monday when I was brushing my teeth and I realised I couldn't spit. I couldn't move my lips. I couldn't move any part of my face. Me being a parent just sucked it up and went to work (as I have no sick leave). After work I went to the doctors and he mentioned Guillian Barre Syndrome. I had never heard of it in my life. Guillian Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the persons nerves are attacked by the bodies own immune defense system. The exact cause is unknown and there is no known cure. My doctor sent me to emergency where I was looked at by several neurologists, and they agreed that it looked like GBS is what I have. As I was waiting in emergency, the numbness was travelling to my throat, which scared me because the danger with GBS is that it can travel and paralyse your entire body, and you need help with breathing. Luckily, I was admitted that night and treatment started the next day. Treatment doesn't cure you but it stops the syndrome from getting worse. Treatment involves 5 days of 5 hours of treatment on an Iv drip called 'IVIG'. Which is antibodies they put into your system. At the hospital we had to do a nerve conduction test (basically where they shoot electricity through you to see what nerves are working.) It was horrible, I cried the whole time. Luckily my partner was with me, I was a bit of a mess that day. I've been in hospital for nearly 2 weeks and am slowly improving. My speech, walking and eating have all been affected. I can walk short distances but need a wheelchair for longer distances. I am going to rehab next week for intensive treatment. However, I won't be able to work for a while. I am a disability support worker and it can be quite a phyisical job. So I won't be able to work until I am at full health. My partner works but as everyone knows it's almost impossible to get by on one wage. I'm not asking for much and I'm not even sure how these things work. But if anyone could even spare $5 that would be an amazing help. We are renting and I'm worried we're not going to be able to keep our heads above the water while I'm not working. I just thought this would be worth a try as every tiny little bit helps. It would all be going towards bills, and just food to put on the table. As a young mum having this rare syndrome it's been quite hard having this loss of independence, and now not being able to contribute financially for a while which is going to be tough. I just want to try my best to get better as soon as I can and look after my family. If anyone does donate please know my family and I Thankyou from the very bottom of our hearts. I'd also like to say if there is anyone else with this syndrome that would like to chat I'm up for that too. It's quite a debilitating illness. Sending love and light. Thankyou.

Chloe
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