So, what do you do when you are fine one day and like a light switch you wake up and your mind tells a limb to move but it won’t? Then you realize it is not just that your arm fell asleep, but your leg won’t move either. The paralysis you feel is overwhelming, confusing, and out right wrong. Your fully functional mind is working but the body is betraying all your directives. This paralysis is not just muscle function but also bladder and bowel function. It is an all encompassing fearful experience my very young brother-in-law is going through.
I have neuropathy from having shingles. The difference is that I have full function. I just still get waves of zingers and numbness. I can feel the nerve when it has been triggered so I have to adjust or massage my right side. I can shake off the numbness. I am used to it but life goes on and you just make adjustments to deal with nerve pain. At least I know mine are firing on all cylinders.
It is never easy to walk into a room to see a family member suffering, but I do appreciate that I walked in and was able to walk out on my own accord. It didn’t take long before the neurologist came in to discuss what this paralysis is not so on to what it seems to be based on the symptoms, multiple tests, and multiple specialized doctor opinions.
What I learned:
1-loss of motor input to nerves means there is a blockage or damage causing a cutoff from the brain which is in constant communication with all parts of the body, sending instructions and receiving input from the senses. The outgoing messages from the brain to the muscles to tell them to move is unlinked causing paralysis
***reason he can’t lift his arms, open his hands fully, the right completely closed, can now move his feet but cannot stand by himself, also affecting his ability to urinate or have a bowel movement.
2-white matter on the brain means there is reduced blood flow to the tissues of the brain so it affects your memory, balance, and mobility. The highways that connect the brain to the different areas of the spinal cord is
***reason he is dizzy, slow moving, can’t balance, had frequently been falling, and was unable to perform two activities at once like moving and talking at the same time
-While there I did see him move his arm to show the doctor but then couldn't take a full breath and he kept mixing up his words (It was like he had just run 400 feet really fast and tried to talk, but he had just moved his arm a couple times-only one arm the other right there is still no movement)
3. Multiple sclerosis is when your immune system attacks your nerves. The reason they are leaning toward this diagnosis is that his body is responding to high doses of steroids. And two weeks before full paralysis he has numbness and tingling. Other doctor visits just said he has neuropathy like I have, but nope not like mine.
***here are symptoms: fatigue, numbness & tingling, loss of balance & dizziness, stiffness and spasms, tremors, pain, bladder and bowel trouble, eye movement problems, and problems with memory & thinking
All this to just remind all of us to listen to our bodies and minds. Don’t dismiss small cues that something is not quite right. Also a reminder to be appreciative if your body is working. Made me think of how intrusive to the mind it must be to be paralyzed. With this being the 4th of July weekend I thought about all our veterans who come back missing a limb, unable to walk, or even unable to move from the neck down. How you must have to reteach your brain from not going insane from all the impulses to move and realizing there is none. The compounding mental health of stress, anxiety, fear, and great sadness over the loss is something I cannot imagine. I do know from now on I will have a heightened sense of understanding and a bit more patience when I am out and I see people who are struggling.
Prayers for healing in my family and in all of yours as well. Be kind out there. Hope these bring a little bit of comfort if you are struggling with any circumstances.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40: 29-31).
This is such a good soulful song. Let the words wash over you and melt into you.
As I rise, strength of God
Go before, lift me up
As I wake, eyes of God
Look upon, be my sight
As I wait, heart of God
Satisfy and sustain
As I hear, voice of God
Lead me on, be my guide
Be my guide
Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me
God Bless you all and God Bless America,
dreamsdontfade.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UUbwx5iLrw&list=RD5UUbwx5iLrw&start_radio=1