Thanks for your time if you read, and all your inputs, positive or negative. Everything we are is made up from everything we experience. Maybe this will help you, a friend, me, friend, heck anyone!The Past Tells a Story....
Well, couple years past I frequented this jolly place but health took a nose dive.... Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). For those that don't know what it is, don't feel bad, I knew nothing of it when I was told I have it. Only about 1:100,000 people get it, although not rare, it's not common and difficult for doctors to diagnose given symptoms match so many other things and they themselves have not heard of it.... 20-30 years ago, people died from this. The latest treatment has only been in Canada for 10-12 years.
So, there I was, Jan 2012, just got over a small cold, while everyone around me was taking 2-3 days sick leave with massive flu symptoms. Wow, I thought, I got off lucky. But........ It started with pins and needles and sleepy feeling in hands and feet for about a week, honestly thought little of it.... until Sunday evening through night shift. I got weaker and more tired and more total body pain throughout the shift... I had trouble walking from the plant to car. That morning I saw the daughter of to school and straight to the clinic.... Its just a virus, go home and rest, you'll be fine. The next day more pain and still weak and exhausted, 10 hours of sleep felt like nothing, I went to the hospital emergency, its just a virus, go home and rest, you'll be fine in a few days. The following day the same thing, I rested. Thursday, the back pain increases and ability to walk is further decline, with shortness of breath and fatigue. I went and saw chiropractor thinking perhaps a pinched nerve, adjustment and come see him again tomorrow... we'll see what happens but I am not sure, he says. Friday, I walk in in the same condition... without skipping a beat he says, there is nothing wrong with you that I can help, go back to the walk in and don't leave till you get answers... So, I cross the road to the clinic where the nurse tried to turn me away, remembering I was in Monday, the pain and fatigue take its toll and I am in tears asking to see the doc, perhaps the one on today can help me. Feeling sorry for me she slips me in. The doc hears story and does some reflex and balance tests... as soon as I close eyes with feet together I collapse. He says, there is definitely something wrong that does not appear viral, I don't know what it is, go back to the hospital and don't leave until you get answers. I drove to the hospital and sat in emergency for about 3 hours before seeing a doctor. I tell him week, he performs the same balance and reflex tests and tells me to wait a minute. Coming back he asks me to walk while a nurse watches and then performs basic reflex and strength tests on me.... its almost 5pm.... She says, well Chris, I am the head nurse from neurology and we will be admitting you, you will be up in neurology the moment a bed is available... But later this evening you have one more test that will verify without a doubt that you have GBS (Guillain–Barré syndrome). The doctors will come see you in the admitting emergency wing for those waiting for beds in the departments they need.
Well now that they suspect something questions start, GBS is a disease that anyone in the world regardless of , age, health, or race can get. essentially what happens is the body's immune system becomes confused between the chemical signature of a virus it is combating and your own nerve, myelin sheath. You start getting better but then start feeling much worse quickly. Your body immune system continues to attack your entire nervous system because it still sense the "enemy" chemical signature. Think of a row of jelly beans as the sheath around the nerves, if you take a jelly bean out anywhere along the chain the signal can still jump the space, even if you take every other one out, but the signal slows and becomes staticy like a lose sterio wire. But, take 2 out in a row and that signal is blocked. Imagine this happening all over the body. Breathing, swallowing, walking, picking up a glass, sitting up, rolling over.... everything becomes more difficult, and then impossible as your body destroys its own ability to function. Many people end up on life support and feeding tubes, go blind, deaf, and essentially paralyzed. Needless to say, it was more terrifying than the final test that evening, a spinal tap. The do a count on the proteins within the spinal fluid. Normal is about 200 for any given person... mine..... 1,800. Proof, I had the disease... Recovery prognosis, 2-3 years depending on how much further I decline.
The medicine, 5 days of 1 hour treatments of drip through IV of other people's good antibodies to combat own and bed rest. Did I mention I hate needles despite tattoos! IV is worse. So the following day I settled into room that I shared with one other person, bathroom trips to be accompanied by nurse to assist with walking.... Sunday night around 8 or 9 pm as I was being assisted, 2 steps from the bed and I dropped like a rock. I could no longer walk. From their breathing became shallow and talking was labored. It took me minutes not seconds to roll on side in bed and I had to grasp the edge with hands to pull myself over. I could not manage putting on socks or underwear, shorts and a tee were hard enough and required assistance. Blood tests daily, respiratory checks 3-4 times a day and a hear monitor... I needed someone to assist me wipe butt, pull up and down pants, was showered almost like I was a baby, I couldn't do it. I was visited daily by staff showing me assisting devices and new ways to do basic tasks. About a week and a half later the doctor came and said, I believe you have plateaued so we shall start your road to recovery and normal life.... great I can go home.... NO.
A week after that conversation I entered a new hospital, a therapeutic hospital to help me learn to adapt and rebuild. Physiotherapy everyday except sat and sun, and other therapy classes as well. I couldn't even hold a book to read it, needed a wheel chair to move about and help getting in and out of it.
I can almost boast, that despite the trials and hardships I tended to stay in a positive mood. I was told I would get better and 90 + % chance of 100% recovery. I knew it was just time, and day to day grind. I joked and laughed. Made light of situation and worked towards set goals. I only have had to this day very few break downs from frustration and self pity. They were short but far from sweet and I moved on. I used a wheel chair for 11 months, followed by a walker and forearm crutches. I am currently using a cane for outside travel and while in the gym. At home I do not use it. Flat and familiar terrain I can do with almost ease. 4 weeks ago physiotherapist gave me leave to return to the gym given that she "does not need to babysit someone so knowledgeable in gym equipment and weight training, she is now a source if needed and will be there to help test me and answer question". so 3 weeks ago I began gym journey and last week I set a weight goal to drop to. I gained so much doing so little.
The goal is simple, 50 pounds, add some muscle, lose the cane and finally return to the work force by May 2014 before I lose work disability. Is it a challenge? Yes!! Can it be done? Hell Yes!! Is it worth it? There is no doubt!!
So there is story, the rest of the 2 1/2 months of trial a and achievements through hospital stay are water under the bridge. Yes I was found to be diabetic but 1 1/2 years later I am not... it was found to be a side effect of the GBS. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea which I use a CPAP for and also diagnosed with High Blood Pressure which I take 10 mg of Ramipril for. With the high blood pressure they also find me having high cholesterol, surprise
. I told the doc when I was leaving the hospital, I entered at 37 and I am leaving at 65 in just 3 months! I am now 39, still young and still don't want to grow up! I am a Toys R Us kid!
3 weeks ago when I entered the Goodlife Fitness Centre, I paused after coming through the doors, took a deep breath of the gym smell, I felt the vibe, and thought....
I"VE COME HOME, LET'S BEGIN!
