Gary and Glenda: Saturday Dec 22

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Saturday Dec 22

This is Pete, Dad youngest son, and we have created this blog to help keep everyone updated a little easier. We have had an overwhelming amount of support and curiosity with Dad. I worry that Mom is somewhat overwhelmed with trying to keep everyone updated. At the same time it is therapeutic for her, but also very exhausting. Last night, Friday, I stayed over with Dad in the hospital. We were able to sleep at least 4-5 hours, which from what I understand is a record this week. I must be more boring or something. Andy has been here most of the time at nights with Dad, so last night I wanted to relieve him. Dave will be here with him tonight. Mom has spent a couple of nights here this week and but she doesn't get much sleep here at the hospital so it is much better that she stays home at night so she herself does not get sick and exhausted. This morning, therapists have been in all morning and each one of them have said Dad is improving very well. The respiratory therapist said "Wow", when he did his breathing tests so that is a good sign that things are progressing. One of my good friends, Mike Gatherum, his dad Steve is Dad's physical therapist here at the hospital.
I love you Dad. It is an honor to be here with you in the hospital helping in any way that I can. My Dad apologized every time he had to wake me through the night to assist him in turning over, or to walk the halls in the wheelchair. I can speak for all my other siblings I'm sure, we would do anything for you to help you get through these difficult times. It is amazing how Dad has been so positive and upbeat the entire time I have been here with him. Through the night he did experience some pain in legs as the nerves start to come back.
He has two remaining intervenous treatments, which will conclude Sunday night. We hope to have enough progress that he will be able to leave Monday sometime and continue physical therapy from home or down in Utah County. But he may have to stay longer here at IMC in Murray.

1 comment:

Lance & Joyce said...: Thank you to you all for the updates! I rejoice when I hear of the improvements and tear up when I hear of what Uncle is going through! Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you, and know that our Hevenly Father is in the midst of each situation! I give Aunt Glenda much kudos for her strength & perserverance! Give everyone our love! Love, Joyce & Lance; December 22, 2007 at 12:28 PM

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What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often put on a respirator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although some continue to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare. Usually Guillain-Barré occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Occasionally, surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome. The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease in motion. What scientists do know is that the body's immune system begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease. Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap.
Is there any treatment?
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and accelerate the recovery in most patients. There are also a number of ways to treat the complications of the disease. Currently, plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. In high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism. Investigators have found that giving high doses of these immunoglobulins, derived from a pool of thousands of normal donors, to Guillain-Barré patients can lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. The most critical part of the treatment for this syndrome consists of keeping the patient's body functioning during recovery of the nervous system. This can sometimes require placing the patient on a respirator, a heart monitor, or other machines that assist body function.
What is the prognosis?
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90 percent of all patients are at their weakest. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré still have a residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.

Gary and Glenda

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Saturday Dec 22

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What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome

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