Friends,

Those of you that know Brandy’s story know that she made a remarkable recovery and know that Brandy has met many of her goals since her onset 8/3/99. Last Sunday, Brandy complained of heavy legs, numbness in her feet and hands and in her words “Mom it’s back”. Off to the hospital we go. Although she still had reflexes, she had noteable weakness, mainly in her legs/hips. EKG, normal.CAT scan, normal. Then off for an MRI. Instead of the MRI though an ultra sound of the coraided arterys and a heart echo were performed. Before the MRI could be completed Brandy’s whole body locked up and her breathing was affected. Within 22 hours of entering the hospital Brandy was back on a ventilator of which she remained on for 3 days. Once off of the ventilator an MRI was performed with un-noteable results. The lumbar puncture performed 4 1/2 days from symptons showed protein levels of 43 and her reflexes are hyper-active. She developed pneumonia, apparently a rare form; HIB (H-influenzea) while on the vent. The working diagnoses, transverse myelitis. They wanted to place her in rehab but no beds were available so she is home. She uses a walker to get around and she walks like frankenstein. She cannot lift her feet far off of the ground and uses a shuffle walk, stairs are out. Home physical therapy has been ordered. We are currently waiting to, thanks to Jerimy, have her seen at the University of Michigan by a neurologist experienced in GBS. Upon departure from the hospital (after requesting all records and copies of test results) they also informed us that Brandy has what appears to be 2 small cysts in her spleen. I will keep all updated as to Brandy’s progress and am needless to say am hoping and praying for a full recovery.
~Maggie~

Friends,

Those of you that know Brandy’s story know that she made a remarkable recovery and know that Brandy has met many of her goals since her onset 8/3/99. Last Sunday, Brandy complained of heavy legs, numbness in her feet and hands and in her words “Mom it’s back”. Off to the hospital we go. Although she still had reflexes, she had noteable weakness, mainly in her legs/hips. EKG, normal.CAT scan, normal. Then off for an MRI. Instead of the MRI though an ultra sound of the coraided arterys and a heart echo were performed. Before the MRI could be completed Brandy’s whole body locked up and her breathing was affected. Within 22 hours of entering the hospital Brandy was back on a ventilator of which she remained on for 3 days. Once off of the ventilator an MRI was performed with un-noteable results. The lumbar puncture performed 4 1/2 days from symptons showed protein levels of 43 and her reflexes are hyper-active. She developed pneumonia, apparently a rare form; HIB (H-influenzea) while on the vent. The working diagnoses, transverse myelitis. They wanted to place her in rehab but no beds were available so she is home. She uses a walker to get around and she walks like frankenstein. She cannot lift her feet far off of the ground and uses a shuffle walk, stairs are out. Home physical therapy has been ordered. We are currently waiting to, thanks to Jerimy, have her seen at the University of Michigan by a neurologist experienced in GBS. Upon departure from the hospital (after requesting all records and copies of test results) they also informed us that Brandy has what appears to be 2 small cysts in her spleen. I will keep all updated as to Brandy’s progress and am needless to say am hoping and praying for a full recovery.
~Maggie~

Friends,

Those of you that know Brandy’s story know that she made a remarkable recovery and know that Brandy has met many of her goals since her onset 8/3/99. Last Sunday, Brandy complained of heavy legs, numbness in her feet and hands and in her words “Mom it’s back”. Off to the hospital we go. Although she still had reflexes, she had noteable weakness, mainly in her legs/hips. EKG, normal.CAT scan, normal. Then off for an MRI. Instead of the MRI though an ultra sound of the coraided arterys and a heart echo were performed. Before the MRI could be completed Brandy’s whole body locked up and her breathing was affected. Within 22 hours of entering the hospital Brandy was back on a ventilator of which she remained on for 3 days. Once off of the ventilator an MRI was performed with un-noteable results. The lumbar puncture performed 4 1/2 days from symptons showed protein levels of 43 and her reflexes are hyper-active. She developed pneumonia, apparently a rare form; HIB (H-influenzea) while on the vent. The working diagnoses, transverse myelitis. They wanted to place her in rehab but no beds were available so she is home. She uses a walker to get around and she walks like frankenstein. She cannot lift her feet far off of the ground and uses a shuffle walk, stairs are out. Home physical therapy has been ordered. We are currently waiting to, thanks to Jerimy, have her seen at the University of Michigan by a neurologist experienced in GBS. Upon departure from the hospital (after requesting all records and copies of test results) they also informed us that Brandy has what appears to be 2 small cysts in her spleen. I will keep all updated as to Brandy’s progress and am needless to say am hoping and praying for a full recovery.
~Maggie~