Living with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

On July 28,2007, I woke up and got out of bed at 7:30am. As I started to walk to the bathroom my legs gave out and I fell to the floor. Shocked as I was I attempted to get up. Again I fell to the floor and there was no pain…the only thing was that I could not function from my lower extremities. I laid there on the floor until my friend came over as I called her on her cell. I asked her to help me get into the shower for I had to go to the emergency room. I was carried to the emergency room still not able to walk. Confused of what was going on with me I proceeded with what the doctor wanted me to do and that was to get admitted. They ran MRI’s, CT scans, X-Rays, lab work, you name it. The nurse asked for a urine sample and I then knew I was in retention. Within hours of my not feeling my legs, my body became numb from my legs towards my upper body. Within seconds I was transferred to ICU…difficult to breath total paralysis from my neck to my toes. I am a 35yr old single mother and this was the worst feeling in the world. The thought of being paralyzed. Who would take care of my children, my job, my life!!! After 5 days in ICU i was transferred over to a regular room where I was told of my disease….Gillian Barre. I was also told I would have to be release to an inpatient facility where they would help me get my life back together after extensive treatment. I was very angry with myself, the doctors, and God. That evening I prayed so much and promised myself I would walk again and go about my life as if nothing had ever happened. Within a week i was walking on a walker and eating better. I was then release to go home with a condition that I would have home health. PT/OT were given to me and through my determination after a little over a month I am back at work and enjoying my life everyday. I don’t take things for granted and I thank God for giving me another opportunity to be with my children. My neurologist can not believe I am at the stage I am, he states it’s a miracle for my recovery. I believe determination and the will to live is a stronger medicine than any pill or injection. I am still numb from my left side of my body but I can move it…weird huh? I hope with my story many individuals will fight to overcome a disease in which may take over our bodies…but not our souls. Good luck and may God bless all of you.