Guillain-Barre Syndrome

This book is about three people from different walks of life, each ofwhom experienced a life-changing episode of Guillain-Barr Syndrome. Three dramatic stories in one. Firstly, a story of the Author's remarkable almost complete recoveryfollowing his encounter with the syndrome. It is a frank and personalaccount of his struggle to regain much of what he had lost in bodilyfunction during one year of hospitalisation. It should provideinspiration and possibly answer so many questions typically asked byothers afflicted with this syndrome. Secondly, case studies written by two co-author contributors, one aCalgary Veterinarian and mother of two, the other a retired Vancouverresident who was struck with Guillain-Barr Syndrome whilst shopping fora boat in England. 'There is no single answer to the question as to how life may changeafter recovery from this disorder. Each case appears to be unique. Thatis why I have chosen to include, not just a record of my partialrecovery, but also the recovery record of two additional people, eachdifferent from one another's and each certainly different from mine(Author's Preface)'. 'We eventually identified a boatonly three feet short of what we hadwanted that was within our budget. At this point Heather's brother,who lived nearby, said he would like a share in the boat, to which weagreed. During this discussion in his house I had to ask him to refrainfrom smoking, as my throat was quite sore. I was feeling rather run downand often felt cold. About the same time on a Saturday, I felt atingling in the finger tips of my left hand and found they were a bitswollen. I mentioned it to Heather, but it did not seem serious. It was,however, the first sign that I had contracted GBS. If only I had known,the treatment might have been started earlier! (Patrick Hill)''Probably the worst face of Guillain-Barr Syndrome is the effect ithas on loved ones. Severe, or not, chronic or not, it matters little tothe supporting family at the bedside of a patient. Fear, puzzlement, andapprehension are all experienced by the loved ones. Reading the casehistories of Sarah and Patrick, one learns how their spouses alsosuffered many frightening experiences, but in spite of all that, theyremained obviously without second thought, hesitation or doubt. Trueto their marriage vows, they provided so much love, care and support. That was the shared experience among the three of us (Author:Epilogue).'