Laura Ann’s Story

Site created on February 28, 2022


Laura tested positive for COVID on January 19 – she started with congestion & what she said was common cold symptoms – by the week of January 23 she developed vomitting/diarrhea & became dehydrated – in ED for fluids on 1/29 – she started to turn this around & began with numbness tingling of feet/legs & eventually hands – saw her primary on 2/1 & started 5 day antibiotics/steroids – back in on 2/7 because numbness/tingling had worsened – unable to use hands very well & struggled to walk – saw Neurologist on 2/9 & was diagnosed with Guillian Barre Syndrome – 2/11 started high dose immunoglobulin therapy x 5 days – Also had MRI; lumbar puncture; neuro tests; blood work – on 2/22 saw Neurologist for consult with all labs in – plan to see Physical Med/Rehab Dr to assess for IP Rehab & start Home Health PT – before this happened, on 2/25 admitted to McKennan with severe dehydration & abnormal labs.  Today (2/28) she transferred to IP Rehab with doctors saying she will be there 30 days to 3 months for PT/OT & plan to get her functional enough to return to her home.


 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Amanda O

Making progress – Laura saw the Neurology Team this week – she has been given the go-ahead to drive and will plan to start out slow & in a parking lot much like being 14 y/o again.  They did say, because she tires easily, to keep that in mind when driving somewhere & needing to return.  In therapy they are working on her gait, which is a challenge because she has strong muscle, but lacks the nerve/muscle connection.  She still has nerve healing to take place from her knees down.  Senses pinprick, but not like it is once they go above the knee & could not feel the practitioner’s cold hands from toe to knee, but did as soon as she went above the knee.  Her OT told her that her hands are improving, but again need for nerve healing from fingertips to elbow (much the same with pin prick & cold hands as from toe to knee).  So we continue therapy 6 hours per week.  She is walking around her home without a walker, but very cautious.  Trying to do things, but finds the muscles tire easily  - therapists & practioners say to do things, but not to push to overload.  Hopes are to return to work sometime in July but the nerves healing will make that decision.  She can use all the prayers you can send up for her.  We have heard that they are seeing more GBS r/t COVID cases so as GBS is not considered common, it may be more common with COVID than other viral/bacterial infections – time & research will tell. 
 
 
 
Again thank you for the continued love/support; prayers & kindness shown to our entire family. 
 
 
 
 
 
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