Diagnosed

I have been Diagnosed. On Friday while we where driving in the mountains on our way to Pittsburgh to visit my parents, my neurologist left me a voice mail.

My brain looks good, and yes there are in fact a large gnome population residing in it. The large population explains my superior intelligence and well, just general awesomeness. And the MRI showed no signs of MS which is good.

The EMG, also known as the torture me with electricity and needles did confirm that I do have Gillain Barre Syndrome. And carpal tunnel.

Now that we have an answer I'm trying to absorb it all. We are still monitoring me this week to make sure I don't worsen. I feel like my manual dexterity is getting worse, but it's hard for me to know being I haven't been able to figure out things for weeks. My stair climbing ability is not so awesome but the good news is I can climb them. Jason and I are going to time how quickly- now that's funny- I stagger up them to monitor the situation. I'm really hoping I don't end up in the hospital this week because if you've read the website I had on a previous post- NOT FUN!

I'm meeting with the doctor this week to go over some things. It could take me weeks or years to get better. I will also need physical therapy to repair the damage done to my weakened muscles. Before I got sick I was running a lot and had run a few 10 mile races in the last few months. I have a 10 miler in October and I 'd like to run it. But we'll see what happens. Maybe instead I'll host a Gillain- Barre Fun Run and have Eddie Vedder preform, mainly so I can lick him. I hear he has great healing powers.

Jason and I are also figuring stuff out and asking for help. Which if you know me is a huge deal. I'm very independent and like to do things myself. But, being my mobility is very limited, I'm learning that help is what I need. What a growing experience. My parents have Jack this week which will be a huge help. Funny how all of a sudden a 3 year old seems manageable. They also sent us home with dinner for almost every night so I don't have to cook. Our niece is coming in a few weeks to stay for 2 weeks to help with kid juggling and chores. And we'll figure it out from there.

As for my mood. I'm feeling a little down. I'm scared. I already feel like crap and can't imagine what this thing will do to me if it gets worse. I'm also angry. Why does my immune system hate me? Come on, it's supposed to fight germs, not my nerves.

Funny how this blog has become the blog on everything you need to know on an obscure neurological conditional. Stay tuned.