Guillain Barre Syndrome

I developed a rare disease called Guillain Barre Syndrome.  Only 1 in 100,000 get this disease.  On a Sunday night we had to call the paramedics.  They kept me over night.  They released me on Monday afternoon telling me my condition was caused by an anxiety attack or my OCD.  I was angry. I knew that this was not the reason for my problem.

On Tuesday we had to call the paramedics again.  When I arrived I could not move my legs, arms, or hands. They brought in a specialist this time.  She examined me had a suspicion as to what was causing my condition.  They performed a spinal tap and discovered I had guillain barre syndrome.  This disease causes paralysis.  

The same night they started my treatment.  I received five treatments of a blood product called immunoglobulin.  It as administered to me by IV.  The next day they started me with my physiotherapy.  I spent 2 1/2 weeks in hospital.  They were going to keep me over Christmas and send me down to Digby to the rehab.  I recovered enough to make it home for Christmas and I advanced far enough in my recovery I didn't have to go to Digby.

I did some research and I discovered that 10% have a relapse, 30% will not have a full and compete recovery, and those that do have a complete recovery it can take up to a year to achieve.  I am not completely recovered yet but I am making good progress.

When it first started I was an emotional and psychological wreck.  The second day in hospital I did some serious contemplating.  I got myself together and told myself that with shear determination and hard work I will beat this thing.  I had a friend that got into a car accident in his twenties.  The doctors told him he will never walk again.  He looked the doctor straight in the eye and told him "you are wrong.  I will walk again. " With shear determination and hard work in a year he was walking, driving the car, and went back to work as a prison guard.  

I have the same attitude.  With shear determination and hard work I will achieve a full and complete recovery.  It's all about mind over matter.  If per chance I don't have a complete recovery I will learn to accept it and cope with and manage my disability.  It will be months before I am able to do work that's physically demanding.  I have been able to write this article but it has taking me 20 times longer than usual to write it.  I have faith, hope, and courage that I will beat this thing and recover.

There is a very important lesson I learned from all this.  Those of us who can walk, use our arms and hands have a very special gift.  Before this happened to me I took all these things for granted.  I am very grateful for what recovery I've had so far.  I am slowly getting use of my legs, arms, and hands again.