Vanessa Abraham thought she had the flu in 2019, but a week later, her condition took a dire turn. She woke up in the middle of the night, struggled to breathe, and was intubated. Her husband took her to an area hospital, where doctors were stumped for months. After several weeks, Abraham’s symptoms improved, and she was taken off the ventilator. However, the cause of her paralysis remained a mystery.
It wasn’t until four months later that Abraham received a diagnosis: Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes fibers around nerves to deteriorate, leading to paralysis. The variant, pharyngeal-cervical-brachial, attacks muscles in the diaphragm and throat, making it difficult to diagnose.
Abraham’s experience highlights the challenges of diagnosing rare conditions. With no single test, doctors rely on clinical presentations and may not be familiar with the condition due to its rarity. However, people diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome or a variant tend to improve on their own over time.
Abraham continued her slow recovery, accepting that it would take time for her body to regenerate and heal. Six years later, she still has neuromuscular weakness but can perform most of her daily routine. Her experience informs her work with patients whose speech has been compromised. Abraham has also started attending a support group for people who have trauma after ICU stays, helping her recover from the fear of those weeks on a ventilator.
Her story raises awareness about the benefits of such groups and the importance of seeking medical attention when symptoms persist or worsen over time. With proper care and support, individuals can navigate even the most challenging medical conditions and emerge stronger.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rare-disease-vanessa-abraham-guillain-barre-california