[CAUT] Guillain Barre syndrome

[Susan Kline]

Starting April 27, I experienced a rare variety of it, called Miller 
Fisher Syndrome.

Came on like a house afire, seriously scary.

The docs got the approved treatment into me in time. (Flooding the 
system with immunoglobulins to derail the autoimmune process.)

Following some immune challenge, often unknown, sometimes even a flu 
shot, one's own immune system gets confused and starts attacking the 
myelin sheath around one's nerves as if it were foreign. Sudden 
onset, like MS on steroids, but eventually almost everyone recovers. 
The worst people are completely paralyzed and need a ventilator.

Luckily not me. I'm home, probably for quite awhile. Friends have 
come through for me in a big way. I have responded very well to 
treatment, with small improvements every day. Eyesight looks to be 
the most difficult part. Worse with this type than the usual form.

Jim Coleman, Sr. has been a constant inspiration to me through this 
process, as I remembered how he fought Guillain Barre and came out 
the other side, with perfect courage and joy at being alive.

May none of you get this damned thing.

Jeff Hickey has been standing in for my concert work (thank heavens.) 
As soon as I'm fit, I can start in again about where I left off, 
minus some unknown number of months or maybe a year?

Susan Kline