tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57697142011-04-21T17:42:58.575-07:00GBS...One Man's JourneyA description of my recovery from a life altering illnessJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comBlogger601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1108002518119385292005-02-09T19:23:00.000-07:002005-02-09T19:28:38.120-07:00TiredI'm am so tired of this disease, it wears on me every day. The pain, the fatigue, the disability, and no one knows what to do about it. No one understands why I am having such a hard time with it. Tonight, I tripped, now a usual occurrence, in the kitchen and cut my arm..... no it doesn't need stiches or anything, but it's just another example of how screwed up things have become.
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1104200808247199252004-12-27T19:21:00.000-07:002004-12-27T19:26:48.246-07:00National AttentionI'm hoping to get GBS some national attention in the coming months. I happen to know a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, and I am thinking about approaching him about an interview spot. In the mean time, I recieved some materials to give to the hospital ERs so that the docs will be better able to recognize GBS when they see it. All research into this matter shows that the faster a Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1102876301938941272004-12-12T11:23:00.000-07:002004-12-12T11:32:48.120-07:00Another Problem, Another PillIt's an amazing thing this medical technology. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and in the process, came down with another case of pneumonia. This time they believe it was because of inhaling the byproduct of acid reflux. After much debate about doing another treacheostomy they (thank God) decided on trying out another stomach pill. It seems I am on so many different pills that it's creating a Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1095204652650858292004-09-14T16:21:00.000-07:002004-09-14T16:30:52.650-07:00I know, I know. I've been horrible about posting lately. I've got a good excuse though. First, vacation, then another bout with illness, namely pericarditis. Now, I'm going to see a chronic pain specialist. I know chroic pain messes with your head but I'm not so sure I go for some of the techniques this guy is talking about. I guess I'll give it a try, at thisi point I don't have anything to Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1092422480731539352004-08-13T11:41:00.000-07:002004-08-13T11:41:20.730-07:00This is my brother and my two nephews Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1090811999203068222004-07-25T19:35:00.000-07:002004-07-25T20:19:59.203-07:00I have been purposefully (maybe not such a good idea) trying to relive some of what I experienced when I first woke up. Part of the reason for this is to answer some long standing questions about what actually happened those first few blury days. The other reason is to deal with the fact that I almost died and my life was irrevocably changed forever. I put this last part off for a long time, I Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1088371106471474652004-06-27T14:17:00.000-07:002004-06-27T14:18:26.470-07:00If anyone wants to send me a present for christmas this year this is definatly on my wish list.
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1086542376709088852004-06-06T10:13:00.000-07:002004-06-06T10:19:36.710-07:00Not much time or energy for posting lately. One of the good things to come of the most recent visit to the hospital is a promotion at work. Take two weeks unpaid sick leave, and your fired. Right? That's what I expected.... but, no, I was told that I am now to head up the maintenance department.
This involves keeping detailed records of any and all repair work done to tractors or trailers, as Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1085431661291382662004-05-24T13:46:00.000-07:002004-05-24T14:34:51.093-07:00Another trip to the E.R., another two weeks in the hospital. This time because of a knee injury. Long story short, I fell while out to dinner with friends and twisted, bruised, and mangled my left knee.
When I went to the local E.R. they decided that I had a left lateral ligement strain as well as blood in the joint thanks to being on blood thinners for the last year. After much discussion and Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1083556927291169022004-05-02T21:02:00.000-07:002004-05-02T21:05:16.500-07:00Here is the long awaited post on the symposium on Saturday. There was so much information given on Saturday that I couldn’t hope to cover it all in one post. I will cover some of the highlights though.
Our guest speaker was Dr. Lisa Corbin. Dr. Corbin’s specialty during her residency was internal medicine. She has spent many hours along side patients and family members coping with life altering Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1083541075436273702004-05-02T16:37:00.000-07:002004-05-02T16:43:16.966-07:00I attended the fourth annual Colorado GBS symposium Saturday. I had a great time and learned a lot. I also made many new friends, friends who have traveled the same road I am now traveling. I will post later about the topics discussed and other things related to the conference, but now I must rest. It has been a very stressful week, with two family members undergoing emergency surgery, and copingJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1083201858239125942004-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:002004-04-28T18:27:23.746-07:00It has been nearly one year since I was transferred to the rehab center. This time last year I was still struggling to sit up on the edge of the bed without falling over. In fact I still had to have help sitting up on the edge of the bed. I was still on the ventilator, terrified that it would fail and not alarm, I still didn't trust my new found ability to take a small breath on my own. I, like Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1082262413938374822004-04-17T21:26:00.000-07:002004-04-17T21:29:48.530-07:00I find myself with these odd urges to try to do things that I know I can't do, or shouldn't be doing. For example, going down to the basement to do laundry (this means one flight of stairs up and down), mowing the yard, tonight I had the strangest urge to go work in the flower beds in the front yard at 9:30 at night. I have no idea what brings these on, if it's wanting to prove that I can do Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1081996856742561532004-04-14T19:40:00.000-07:002004-04-14T19:43:48.090-07:00All I have wanted to do for the last 12 months is forget what has happened to me. Tonight I find the memories of last April beginning to fade. Why, am I now afraid of what I have wished for, for the last 12 months? This is so confusing....Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1081218668472393932004-04-05T19:31:00.000-07:002004-04-05T19:38:03.340-07:00With Severe weather season upon us I have decided to post another weather link. This one is to NOAA weather radar (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) for the public good. During a severe weather outbreak, time = saved lives. Besides, where else can you get cool images like this.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1079486191498055642004-03-16T18:16:00.000-07:002004-03-16T18:26:29.560-07:00This is a very lengthly post but well worth the read. This is a paper that was written by the next generation of Occupational Therapists. Joseph has a very good working knowledge of GBS and how it effects the patients life. I give him credit for actually talking with several patients in preparation for writting this paper. I wish more medical professionals would get more involved in learning not Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1079293216019912782004-03-14T12:40:00.000-07:002004-03-14T12:43:06.060-07:00GBS Newsletter - The Communicator Spring 2003
Residual Effects Following Guillain-Barre
Gareth J. Parry, MD Professor of Neurology, University Of Minnesota
Guillain-Barr~ syndrome is a disorder whose excellent prognosis is invariably emphasized. Widely accepted figures suggest that 75%-85% of patient make a complete recovery. However, many of my patients have complained to me of minor but Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1079285145438934052004-03-14T10:25:00.000-07:002004-03-14T10:28:05.420-07:00And the beat goes on... Not a lot to report lately, My recovery continues to be painfully slow. One bit of news for my fellow Colorado GBS'ers, May 1st, 2004 from 1:00 pm till 4:00 pm we will be having our statewide meeting at the Denver West Mariott Hotel in Denver,Co. For more information please contact Ann Brandt at anngeob@msn.com or myself at jim_cannon27@yahoo.com. Either one of us can Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1078104925866864212004-02-29T18:35:00.000-07:002004-02-29T18:37:32.186-07:00Well, I worked yesterday. It went very well. I am tired and sore today, but that is to be expected I guess. I did very well I think, as a result of my selling we sold 3.5 cases of product. The hardest part of the job is the paperwork, both and after the demo. using my hands to write is difficult, but I manage.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1077861739273500372004-02-26T23:02:00.000-07:002004-02-26T23:04:23.093-07:00Two steps foward, one step back.... I had another fall Tuesday, Spent the afternoon in the E.R. It was really no big deal, although I did end up with a bruised kidney (OUCH!!!). On the bright side, I am returning to work part time. No, it's not a glamourous job, I will be handing out samples of potatoe chips at a local grocery store. It's not exactly what I imagined I would be doing at 29 yearsJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1076465932841866242004-02-10T19:18:00.000-07:002004-02-10T19:20:40.233-07:00I sign my posts on the GBS discussion boards "I refuse to let this beat me". I have to be honest, it has beat me. I have had days this last eight months where I have not and could not go on. God has gotten me through these days, He, and He alone has given me the strength to go on.
What brings on this honesty you ask? Well as I stood out in the garage today sifting through the ditritus of what Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1076205269209329382004-02-07T18:54:00.000-07:002004-02-10T19:04:16.466-07:00From the GBS forums:
Harold K
Junior Member
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Easley, S.C.
Posts: 12
Religious thread
I try to be a good Christian, but sometimes I have lapses in faith because I don't think about God as I should. This usually happens when I have other problems such as GBS. This is when my focus shifts from my faith.
Anyway, what I wanted to say is that since my open heart Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1076024637431546482004-02-05T16:43:00.000-07:002004-02-08T11:08:35.390-07:00A friend of mine made quite possibly the most difficult decision of her life yesterday. She discontinued life support for her husband. I don't know all of the ins and outs of the situation. He will be greatly missed, and my prayers go out to his family.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1075863302323613332004-02-03T19:55:00.000-07:002004-02-03T19:56:42.170-07:00Well, I made it through the 1 year anniversary... barely..... To sasy the least, I have been a little preoccupied by the events of last year the last couple of days. I thought I would take some time to catch up the blog tonight.
I have done a lot of research on GBS over the last 6 months, and find it extrememly disturbing that there is not more research being done on this dibilitating syndrome.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1075670845543107652004-02-01T14:27:00.000-07:002004-02-01T14:29:03.576-07:00Today is the 1 yr. anniversary of my attack of GBS. Ahhh. bitter sweet. Here is another article from Britan that explains what those days were like.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1075074733295793292004-01-25T16:52:00.000-07:002004-01-25T16:53:44.110-07:00I really admire this young lady's spirit. She has her arm taken off by a shark and she goes right back to it. She's not going to let this get her down, she's not going to let this stop her from doing what she wants. Maybe there is hope for Americas youth yet.
Having been through a life changing illness myself, I can attest to the fact that it is really easy to get depressed about it and give Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1074908943032828292004-01-23T18:49:00.000-07:002004-01-23T19:01:25.623-07:00Wow talk about rehab. I finally took the big leap and joined a health club. I went for my first workout today and did about 20 min. of cardio (stationary bike, treadmill, and recumbant bike) and about 10 min. of weights. I hurt bad.... but I feel good because
1) I did more than I thought I could
2) i went up and worked out in a gym ( this is a BIG step in my recovery)
Yes, I am a light Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1074310865063756332004-01-16T20:41:00.000-07:002004-01-16T20:42:38.466-07:00I got to play with my nephews today. For the first time in a year I was able to get down on the floor, on their level, and really play with them. We wrestled, I "chased" the oldest one around saying " I'm gonna get you", and he laughed and ran from me. We did stuff we used to do before I got ill with GBS. It was great.
As for my job, and employment status, I have tried to leave this out of Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1073536204734662392004-01-07T21:30:00.000-07:002004-01-07T21:43:18.263-07:00Days like today... I am sitting here tonight trying to figure out what to say after a day like today. Days like today are when I grow so weary of this disease, and what it has done not only to me, but my whole family.
I went to a trauma support group today, and learned a lot about myself and what GBS has done to me, how it has affected the way I do and see everything. Some might say well... Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1073241037198127162004-01-04T11:30:00.000-07:002004-01-04T11:34:23.733-07:00The location and dates of the National GBS symposium have been announced. It will be held in Atlanta, Ga November 19-21 2004. Details and schedule will be announced later. I encourage everyone who can to attend. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1073145690027448752004-01-03T09:01:00.000-07:002004-01-03T09:02:39.403-07:00What a wonderful family those of us with GBS are. Everyone from Joseph Heller ( Author of Catch 22 and No Laughing Matter ) to those of us in rural America with common everyday names that no one outside of our circle of friends would recognize. We all come together to support one another, whether it's just a kind word on the phone or computer or maybe it's visiting a new family member in the Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072744152597261902003-12-29T17:29:00.000-07:002003-12-29T17:30:16.996-07:00I finally got my SSI paperwork filled out after procrastinating for a month. It was a pain in the @#*, aside from the beurocratic bull, it was a blow to my pride to admit that I can't work like I used to. Why, after a critical illness that would knock anyone on thier butt, is it so hard to say "I need help"? I don't know.... Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072648771180150762003-12-28T14:59:00.000-07:002003-12-28T15:00:34.060-07:00Jethro, a friend of mine that I met online at the GBS Foundation forums has been very active in the effort to correct faulty GBS statistics. He posted a poll on the forums asking what is the suspected cause of your case of GBS. After polling 100 members with GBS currently taking part in the GBS forums, he found that statistics relating to causes of GBS published by the CDC are flawed. he has Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072380997285280882003-12-25T12:36:00.000-07:002003-12-25T12:56:08.840-07:00I have found a GREAT resource for finding a neurologist. The American Academy of Neurology has a website that has an international registry of neurologists.
I will be forming a new class of links on the left side of the site called Neurology/GBS resources, and I will put a permanent link there. If anyone knows of any other good resources re: pain control, GBS support, Neurology, etc... Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072379546452137172003-12-25T12:12:00.000-07:002003-12-25T12:15:23.920-07:00One stupid pair of boots.... Isn't it crazy that one pair of boots can represent everything I'm not able to do anymore. I bought a pair of steel toed boots last December to wear when I was driving truck, I loved those boots, they were steel toe, chemical resistant so that if I spilled diesel on them they wouldn't be ruined.
I tried those boots on today, they didn't fit when I tried to wear Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072307037680240952003-12-24T16:03:00.000-07:002003-12-25T12:51:38.653-07:00It looks like... they are trying some new "post acute phase" treatments for motor weakness in GBS patients. I along with others in the GBS community will be waiting for the results!!
On a personal note, Merry Christmas everyone. This will be the last post until after Christmas. Well okay maybe not.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072158647635844092003-12-22T22:50:00.000-07:002003-12-22T22:55:52.606-07:00Pain control.... Although I haven't had as good luck with gabepentin as the participants in this study, it has definitely helped with the nerve induced pain that I have suffered with. In my case as well as the cases of other GBS patients I have spoken with, there is musculoskeletal pain as well. I have been told that this pain is caused when the joints, used to not bearing weight and being Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072140086851596052003-12-22T17:41:00.000-07:002003-12-22T22:27:41.810-07:00I have posted a poll over on the GBS Foundation discussion boards asking whether or not there may be an environmental component to contracting GBS, (eg. Lead, asbestos, other hard minerals, chemical warfare, etc...). It will be interesting to see the results. Of course any evidence would be circumstantial, but maybe if there is enough circumstantial evidence it will prove to be an avenue of Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072029188391780412003-12-21T10:53:00.000-07:002003-12-21T10:54:04.340-07:00The fear is always there, I shudder at the thought of getting "it" again.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1072027912525205622003-12-21T10:31:00.000-07:002003-12-21T10:32:48.750-07:00Birthdays and anniversarys... Happy birthday to me, it's amazing how GBS or rather bieng critically ill with GBS permeates everything, even my birthday. I woke up this morning thinking "wow, I almost didn't make it to see 29". Just one day without this invading everything would be nice, but then I guess it wouldn't be a life altering illness.
I'm still resisting taking my pain meds, I really Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1071983567219959932003-12-20T22:12:00.000-07:002003-12-21T09:15:07.700-07:00Ahhhh.... An audible sigh of relief permeates the room, I finally figured out enough HTML to get my blog looking exactly like I want it... Well okay maybe not exactly like I want it, but I'm too tired, and my hands hurt too much to mess around with it anymore tonight.
Smallblock, a friend of mine that I met at GBS Foundation International on their discussion boards, has a great website called Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1071970454855904652003-12-20T18:34:00.000-07:002003-12-20T18:35:10.390-07:00Please bear with me as I do a little remodeling....Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1071898888812122442003-12-19T22:41:00.000-07:002003-12-19T22:44:17.436-07:00Research.... In the arena of medical research, publicity is needed to get money. Marge has it exactly right, maybe we need to start exerting pressure on those who have a publicized history of this disease.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1071802180042916872003-12-18T19:49:00.000-07:002003-12-19T17:27:53.920-07:00Friends & Family..... I can't begin to tell you how important my friends and family have been to me through all of this, they hold me up when I am weak (sometimes literally), they encourage me to keep going when I think I can't (okay, they give me a swift kick in the a** and tell me to get going), and we celebrate my accomplishments, even the small ones!! Thanks to all of you, you know who you Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1071196494345941642003-12-11T19:34:00.000-07:002003-12-11T19:40:08.280-07:00Finally getting help..... I have finally come to the realization that I cannot cope with all that has happened in the last year by myself. I have strugled with depression and anxiety since the first few days after bieng brought out of the coma.
This week started attending a support group for those suffering from depression after a traumatic illness/injury. It went well, I think it will help Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1070929866544918562003-12-08T17:31:00.000-07:002003-12-20T22:28:03.343-07:00Found this today on a great GBS site:
What causes Guillain-Barrè syndrome?
No one yet knows why Guillain-Barrè strikes some people and not others. Nor does anyone know exactly 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. Usually the cells of the immune system attack Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1070836382440025542003-12-07T15:33:00.000-07:002003-12-11T19:37:49.856-07:00I have been in and out of the hospital for the last two months, sorry again for the lack of posts, on the brighter side after a severe allergic reaction to pain meds I was taking we finally found something thats working. For those of you dealing with Gullain-barre I strongly suggest you have a primary care provider that understands this disease and is willing to work with you on your meds. Not Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1067652591004457312003-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:002003-10-31T19:09:50.063-07:00Sorry I haven't posted in a while, much of the last month has been spent back in the hospital again with pneumonia. I just don't know what to do anymore, I am so tired of fighting all of this, the bills, the bill collectors, my wanting to get back to work, the seemingly constant bouts with pneumonia, and worst of all the constant pain. I pray that God will give me the courage and strength to goJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1065063376429141472003-10-01T19:56:00.000-07:002003-10-01T19:56:16.606-07:00Note to self (and anyone else reading with GBS).... (1) The doctors really don't know sh** about this disease and what makes the residuals worse or better
(2) Bee\Wasp stings make residuals worse, especially on the stung limb (in my cawse the left hand).
(3) The only thing that made it better was a dose of benydryl and a dose of vicodin.
(4) The above mentioned combination of factors really puts Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1064538618198566362003-09-25T18:10:00.000-07:002003-09-25T18:10:18.273-07:00I'm tired.... I am so angry about the limitations this has put on me. I am angry that I have to use a cane, I am angry that I can't run around and chase after my two year old nephew, I am angry that I cannot work full time, and most of all I am angry that I can't run away from this problem like I have with all the rest and I don't know what to do about it.....
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1064201630641851902003-09-21T20:33:00.000-07:002003-09-21T20:33:50.430-07:00Thank God for insurance.... I have figured up the bills for my hospitalization over the last 7 months and if it weren't for having insurance I would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.5 million dollars in debt.... whew I knew I was sick but no that sick...Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1064100481112158382003-09-20T16:28:00.000-07:002003-09-20T16:28:00.866-07:00Working from home.... Thank God, my boss has been more than generous through all this. Although there is more than enough work for me to do "in-house" he understands that I am not able to work full time yet. He has given me some work to do at home, he stated "go ahead and take this home with you and work on it when you feel like it, it's not time sensitive so take your time and write down the Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1063406859951553872003-09-12T15:47:00.000-07:002003-09-12T15:49:53.160-07:00Bill collectors.... I had the latest battle with idiot bill collectors. This one has billed the wrong insurance company and wants me to pay the bill and correct HER MISTAKE later.
What was my response? "You made the mistake, you fix it!!!" she says "I've been trying to since the beginning of March."
At the beginning of March I was in ICU and on life support, they don't care if I have been Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1063134844641451582003-09-09T12:14:00.000-07:002003-09-09T12:14:04.676-07:00Midday.... I'm at work today working in the office, it's amazing that i'm able to work now considering all that has happened the last six months. Thats what the doctors tell me anyway.
I took a big blow from the neurologist yesterday, he says my neuropathies may not get any better. That pretty well shoots my truck driving carreer. :(Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1062966424968574842003-09-07T13:27:00.000-07:002003-09-07T13:27:05.010-07:00Midday..... Well it's midday and I feel pretty good considering my neuropathies woke me at 0530. Neuropathies are messed up nerve impulses that manafest themselves (in my case) extreme burning and tingling, much like when your hand has fallen asleep. Ahhh, GBS the gift that keeps on giving...Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1062945157465697302003-09-07T07:32:00.000-07:002003-09-07T07:32:37.496-07:00Thank you God for giving me another day to praise you!!!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1062896864349554642003-09-06T18:07:00.000-07:002003-09-06T21:31:11.610-07:00Luck, all a matter of perspective.... One year ago if you asked me if I would feel lucky to be alive, much less walking today, I would have laughed at you and gotten back up in my truck and gone on down the road to pick up my next load. I probobly would have made some comment like "boy that guy was sure morbid" and thought nothing else of it.
Today I know how lucky I am to be here. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1062812784815144722003-09-05T18:46:00.000-07:002003-09-05T18:47:17.953-07:00Good news, bad news.... I don't remember anything from february first until about the second week of april. I do remember pretty much the entire month of April, I spent this time flat on my back having a machine breathe for me unable to move anything.
On one hand it's very dis-orienting to have two month's of your life that you don't remember, on the other April was terrible I don't know if I Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-106280268075005892003-09-05T15:58:00.000-07:002003-09-05T16:09:20.920-07:00This is how GBS works (atleast as I unserstand it).... In GBS your body's immune system attacks your nervous system, the mylon sheath ( the lining that surronds each nerve) is eroded causing nerve damage and therefor causing the messages from the brain to the muscles to get scrambled or in some cases not to get to their destination at all.
I was in an acute care facility (ICU) from early FebruaryJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769714.post-1062716889382937462003-09-04T16:08:00.000-07:002003-09-05T15:58:25.990-07:00February 1, 2003 my life changed forever. I, as a result of severe pneumonia in both lungs, came down with an autoimmune disease called Gullian Barre syndrome. I was placed on a ventilator and placed into a drug induced coma. I awoke two months later to a whole new world.
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03615347560451442678noreply@blogger.com