Life and Hope After Guillain-Barré and Paralysis

Tommy LeSpade remembers with stark clarity the day his life changed. "A year ago this month," the 73-year-old recalled, "I came home from work, ate supper, and went to bed. I woke up the next day paralyzed from the neck down."

The diagnosis was Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves. Tommy spent weeks in the ICU with his wife Kathy by his side, his recovery uncertain. Slowly, painstakingly, he regained some movement in his right leg, but he was still dependent on others for everything – feeding, turning over in bed, showering, even using a phone.

"I gathered my family together and said, ‘difficult decisions might need to be made, and I'm going to make them in advance – I don't want lung support, a breathing tube, feeding tube, anything. If I can't do it on my own, then let nature take its course,’" Tommy said.

And when his appetite resulted in a loss of 45 pounds in 40 days, he didn’t waiver in his decision, despite his wife pleading with him to agree to a feeding tube. Then, a miracle. "I prayed out to God and said, ‘If it's your will for me to live, give me an appetite.’ And when I woke up the next morning, I was hungry."

Still, a long journey of recovery stretched ahead: First inpatient rehab, then a skilled nursing facility, and finally outpatient rehabilitation at St. Luke’s Health-Patients Medical Center. "My wife had received care at Patients Medical for a shoulder injury and had a great experience. She encouraged me to go there," Tommy explained. He began to make progress, but soon after had a fall in his kitchen at home resulting in a broken pelvis and found himself back in inpatient care. Despite the setback, he was determined to recover and was soon back at Patients Medical undergoing outpatient rehab three days a week with a skilled and dedicated team, including occupational therapist Lolli Odom, physical therapists Jenny Blevins, Jeff Cabalu and Amanda Hicks, and physical therapy assistant James Palma.

The team focused on restoring Tommy's strength and independence. "My right shoulder hurt terribly, and I couldn't do anything with my right arm because it had laid still against my body for months," Tommy said. "Lolli started working on the shoulder, and after two sessions, all the shoulder pain went away, and I was beginning to be able to use my arm."

Tracey Mauney, Director of Rehab Services, emphasizes his remarkable progress. "When he started with us last year, he was in a wheelchair and needed a lot of assistance. Now he walks with a cane and sometimes even with no device! It's a huge change. Things he couldn't do – get himself dressed, stand, wash his hair, feed himself – now he can do all those things."

In fact, as he neared the end of his outpatient treatment program, Tommy, who is an auto mechanic, told his care team he was determined to replace the brake pads on his vehicle. By his next session, he’d done it. “It was a huge feat, and encouraging to all of us to see him getting back to the things he enjoys,” Amanda Hicks said. “Our goal is not just to treat symptoms, but to empower patients with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their health and well-being long after they leave our care.”

Tommy’s determination, coupled with the compassionate care at Patients Medical Center, has been a winning combination. "The [care team has] been so helpful and supportive," Tommy said. "Every time I leave a session, I can do something at home that I couldn't before."

Now, Tommy uses a cane to get around, and he's looking forward to getting back to his woodworking, a passion he had to put on hold for the past year. He's even drawn up plans for his first project since his illness–shutters for his garage windows to keep the sun out.

Reflecting on his recovery, he credits his wife of 53 years, his two sons, and the dedication of health care professionals who go above and beyond to help patients reclaim their lives.

As his rehab program came to an end and Tommy celebrated “graduation day” with his team, he said, “It is bittersweet because my care team has become like family. I'll miss seeing them, but I'm real grateful to move on."