DEAR SIRIUS NFL RADIO NATION,
As one of the original voices on SIRIUS NFL Radio (official launch date August 2, 2004) it's been my privilege to "meet" and discuss football with some of the GREATEST football fans in the world.
Many of these same fans turned into personal friends and supporters in what turned out to be a battle for my life.
For those who do not know, I was hospitalized with Guillian-Barre Syndrome on February 14, 2008 and was not discharged until December 5, 2008. GBS is a rare (1 in 100,000) and potentially fatal illness that usually occurs one to two weeks after a mild viral infection -- such as a sore throat, flu or after vaccination or surgical procedure.
So...I was doing great, at the ripe old age of 32, and in good physical health with no existing or prior health issues when my I got blindsided by something somehow even worse than getting hit by #56 LT on a blitz. I had a bad flu a week before the onset of what turned out to be symptoms of GBS, including weakening of the limbs, which developed over a few days beginning in the legs and eventually progressed to complete paralysis less than two weeks after my last SIRIUS show with Gary Myers on February 13, 2008.
I was paralyzed for nearly six months -- no movement, no voice, very little communication -- and had severe pain thoughout my body due to nerve damage. My face muscles were paralyzed as well, making it impossible to swallow normally. Unfortunately in severe cases like mine, paralysis of respiratory muscles require artificial ventilation on a respirator, which pumped air into me for over six months. The illness itself results from inflammation and destruction of myelin (the fatty material, composed of lipid and protein that forms a protective sheath around some types of nerve fiber) similar to that seen in multiple sclerosis. The main difference, however, is that multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, whereas in GBS, it is the peripheral nerves that are affected. The nerve damage is thought to be the result of an abnormal immune reaction directed against the myelin of the peripheral nervous system. Another difference is that GBS does not recur except in rare instances. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, as are the factors that make certain individuals susceptible to it.
Today I'm feeling well. I can't walk on my own yet, but I am using less of the wheelchair and more walking with crutches. I'm very happy to report everything has "come back" throughout my body. The pain, while still moderate to severe, is limited to my feet. As GBS strikes with a gradual progression from bottom to top, it leaves the body top to bottom. I've been in an intense physical, speech and occupational therapy program since August. My voice and other faculties have come back strong, so the program has recently been concentrated on OCCUPATIONAL (Thanks BFB!) and PHYSICAL therapy.
Ultimately my #1 goal is to get back to normal everyday life. While that is probably still several months away, another one of my goals is just days away.
I'm thrilled to announce my return to the SIRIUS NFL Radio airwaves on Tuesday, March 31st at 8pm ET on LATE HITS with my good friend Jim Miller. I invite everyone to call in (even you folks who usually just soak it all in, c'mon -- 877.635.5425) so we can reunite on this one great evening. I would like nothing more in the world right now than to hear your voices, reconnect and talk some football. I want to thank all of you who prayed for my health and supported my return. I don't know if I would be here today without all of you rooting for me because somebody above the press box certainly heard you! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!---
As one of the original voices on SIRIUS NFL Radio (official launch date August 2, 2004) it's been my privilege to "meet" and discuss football with some of the GREATEST football fans in the world.
Many of these same fans turned into personal friends and supporters in what turned out to be a battle for my life.
For those who do not know, I was hospitalized with Guillian-Barre Syndrome on February 14, 2008 and was not discharged until December 5, 2008. GBS is a rare (1 in 100,000) and potentially fatal illness that usually occurs one to two weeks after a mild viral infection -- such as a sore throat, flu or after vaccination or surgical procedure.
So...I was doing great, at the ripe old age of 32, and in good physical health with no existing or prior health issues when my I got blindsided by something somehow even worse than getting hit by #56 LT on a blitz. I had a bad flu a week before the onset of what turned out to be symptoms of GBS, including weakening of the limbs, which developed over a few days beginning in the legs and eventually progressed to complete paralysis less than two weeks after my last SIRIUS show with Gary Myers on February 13, 2008.
I was paralyzed for nearly six months -- no movement, no voice, very little communication -- and had severe pain thoughout my body due to nerve damage. My face muscles were paralyzed as well, making it impossible to swallow normally. Unfortunately in severe cases like mine, paralysis of respiratory muscles require artificial ventilation on a respirator, which pumped air into me for over six months. The illness itself results from inflammation and destruction of myelin (the fatty material, composed of lipid and protein that forms a protective sheath around some types of nerve fiber) similar to that seen in multiple sclerosis. The main difference, however, is that multiple sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, whereas in GBS, it is the peripheral nerves that are affected. The nerve damage is thought to be the result of an abnormal immune reaction directed against the myelin of the peripheral nervous system. Another difference is that GBS does not recur except in rare instances. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, as are the factors that make certain individuals susceptible to it.
Today I'm feeling well. I can't walk on my own yet, but I am using less of the wheelchair and more walking with crutches. I'm very happy to report everything has "come back" throughout my body. The pain, while still moderate to severe, is limited to my feet. As GBS strikes with a gradual progression from bottom to top, it leaves the body top to bottom. I've been in an intense physical, speech and occupational therapy program since August. My voice and other faculties have come back strong, so the program has recently been concentrated on OCCUPATIONAL (Thanks BFB!) and PHYSICAL therapy.
Ultimately my #1 goal is to get back to normal everyday life. While that is probably still several months away, another one of my goals is just days away.
I'm thrilled to announce my return to the SIRIUS NFL Radio airwaves on Tuesday, March 31st at 8pm ET on LATE HITS with my good friend Jim Miller. I invite everyone to call in (even you folks who usually just soak it all in, c'mon -- 877.635.5425) so we can reunite on this one great evening. I would like nothing more in the world right now than to hear your voices, reconnect and talk some football. I want to thank all of you who prayed for my health and supported my return. I don't know if I would be here today without all of you rooting for me because somebody above the press box certainly heard you! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!---
2 comments:
Welcome back B-Mac!!! When I heard "Hi again everyone!" it made me realize how much we've all missed you. We're glad you're doing well and we're glad to have you back, brother!
Yea for us the fans!!! B-Mac is Back!
Late Hits with B-Mac and Mills! - A MUST LISTEN! Looking forward to the new site!
Welcome back.... 'B-Mac Dreamy'!
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