- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Interviews
Linda Barnard's interview
How did all start?
Numbness tingling in toes fingers and tongue. High pulse. Didn't feel well.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
From day 1 of first symptoms, I was diagnosed on day 5
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Became paralysed from head to toes. Couldn't breathe, needed to be on a ventilator in intensive care. Needed a peg tube to feed me. Needed physio to learn to move all muscles again.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Help to stay alive - to breathe.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Breathing, eating/drinking, moving.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My children had to manage without me while I was in care for almost 5 months. I am now back home,recovering.
What things have you stopped doing?
Currently stopped driving, but aim to drive again soon. Physical ability is limited, but improving. I cannot walk long distances anymore.
What do you think about the future?
Hopefully I will continue to improve.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The years before contracting Guillain-Barré Syndrome
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Be more physically active.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I'm still alive, and I'm able to do a large percentage of what I used to do before my illness.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Keep pushing yourself. Listen to.your body, but don't stop . Aim to achieve something new every day, tiny steps.
