My dad is having a difficult time in rehab. He has been feeling weaker and he said he feels that the numbness is spreading. The doctors had given him a second 5-day round of IVIG (intravenous immune globulin) which ended yesterday or the day before. My dad can't talk for very long on the phone, so I'm unable to get a lot of good information.
The doctors are not confident that the second round of IVIG is working. They will begin the plasmapheresis treatment. The plasmapheresis treatment is the removal, treatment, and return of (components of) blood plasma from blood circulation. The aim is to reduce the amount of autoantibodies in his blood that are attacking his nervous system. The Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the autoantibodies in the blood can attack other necessary functions in the body. The doctors will administer the plasmapheresis for 5 days.
His spirits are lower now. He feels as though the weakness and numbness is spreading and that it will keep attacking his body until it kills him. He is depressed and afraid. He isn't one for positive thinking - he chooses to expect the worst and if it never happens then it's a pleasant surprise. I've mentioned to him countless times (and so have the doctors, nurses, etc.) that records prove that having a positive attitude is a factor in a speedy recovery. Conversely, having a negative attitude lends to a slower recovery and many setbacks.
He wants to get up and walk out of the rehab clinic. But the truth is that he is several months away from that.
Again, if you would like to send him any words of encouragement or anything, please send correspondence to the house and my brother will take it to my dad. The address is 22736 Erwin Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
I'll let you know when he's feeling up to phone calls. Right now, it tires him too much to talk on the phone.
Thank you all for your continued support. It means a lot to our family.
~The Dymond Family
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