The story of Kelli
I was diagnosed with hemorrhagic ADEM in August of 2016. It was caused by a virus. I hadn’t been feeling great and had gone in to see my PCP and was told that my illness was most likely caused by a virus. If I was not feeling better in about a week she wanted me to notify her. I went back into the office and was tested further for meningitis, West Nile virus, and acute infection. My symptoms were flu-like. Body aches, nausea, and I was also experiencing neck stiffness. I felt like crap. Several days later I developed a neurogenic bladder and eventually lower body paralysis. I was transported via ambulance to the hospital. Several hours later I stopped breathing and was intubated. I spent 10 days in ICU and received high dose steroids and IVIG. I spent another two months in extended rehab. I am left paralyzed from the waist down due to extensive scar tissue at T9 on my spinal cord. My brain has nearly completely recovered with minimal deficits. I am still in my recovery stage and am still hopeful that I may walk again someday although I have been told that it’s not likely. Never give up hope.