News from Kyle

We've been worried about Kyle Gancher, and we are happy to report that there is some good news.  Her eMail to Web Guy is below:

Ed,
Thought you might enjoy reading this. At this point it's easier to copy and
paste than to retype for each person I have to email.

Thoughts of spectating Boston let alone running it were drifting away the
longer I continued to go down hill in the hospital. Two weekends ago I ran
my 20 miler and 10 miler-training had been going extremely well-or so I
thought. I was feeling a little weird after running both days, just thought
I might have caught something the kids had. By Monday I was having trouble
walking and each day I became a little weaker. I was able to see my Dr. by
Thursday and she (also a runner) wanted me to see a neurologist ASAP. Since
none were available they admitted me to the hospital-I was in shock. The
concern was that I had Guillain Barre(Basically- your immune system fights
off a virus and continues to produce antibodies, the extra antibodies see
the nerve coating as a virus and slowly deteriorate the coating until the
message can no longer complete its path causing loss of movement or full
parallysis). The good news, if it was just that it, means a full recovery.
It can become serious if the paralysis goes to the respiratory system. I had
so many tests done; 1.5hr MRI-to rule out MS and a tumor, a spinal tap,
nerve conduction tests, another test, and another MRI with an injection of a
dye.

Day by day I had less and less use of my legs and arms. I wasn't able to get
to the bathroom w/o a walker and nurse to hold me up. On my worst day I was
loosing the feeling in my legs and arms, I couldn't even write. I began
treatment last Saturday-Intavenous Immuneoglobulin, 5 days worth of a syrup
through an IV. Side affects- Aseptic Menegitus of course I had the side
effects. A spinal tap headache along w/the menegitus was no fun. Dr's told
me recovery time was about 6mo and with any luck I could be a spectator at
Boston-that would be great. I could hopefully run next year, I was already
qualified anyway.

I had fun with my friends and PT's as we joked about how I used to run and
now I couldn't lift my legs off the bed-one night I woke up and looked at
theese legs and arms that were in my bed-they surely weren't mine! Saturday
I woke to a little more energy and was able to use the walker on my
own-maybe I will make it to Boston, in a wheelchair-but there none the less.
Sunday was amazing even the Dr's were baffled-I was walking by myself-even
showered by myself. Oh the little things we take for granted! By Sunday I
could lift my legs-the PT asked if I was up for the treadmill! I was nervous
but sooo excited-1.7miles some walking some running-boy did those legs take
over. I was suppose to go to a rehab to learn to walk again-I couldn't
imagine more time away from my kids. I told my Dr I would still like just to
complete Boston no matter what the time- he just shook his head and said he
couldn't believe it. I promised a picture of me crossing the finish line
this year-his reply "I would love to see that!"

I don't know why I recovered so fast except for the love of family and great
friends, a sense of humor through it all, and a positive attitude no matter
how long it takes. A friend of mine told me he's thankfull for everyday that
he can put one foot in front of the other (Thank You Ed)- I now have a great
appreciation for that.

Boston here I come-however slow it may be!

Sorry for any typos, my hands are still a little slow.

P.S. I also managed 3.7 on the treadmill before leaving the hospital-hope to
see you Saturday!

Kyle

created March 12, 2002