It all started with a call; a cell phone ring somewhere in the pit of her purse. Her face lit up at the name on the caller id. The smile on her face quickly turned into a look of concern. Her fiancé confided in her that he didn’t feel well, and it had to do with the feeling in his feet. She recalled some complaints from the depths of her mind over the past few days. Something about a constant tingle in his feet, but she had filled them away as nothing; just some innocent complaining. Did she miss something?
They enter the hospital, emergency room entrance. They wait, and try to ignore the growing worry. A name sounds in the distance; it is their turn to go back. The doctors look, ask questions, run tests. The doctors’ faces show concern and worry and worst, confusion. They must now travel to a larger hospital in a larger city.
More cell phones ring. She calls her mom. Her mom calls siblings, children, friends. A call rings up to heaven, many calls to be exact. Family rush to cars and made the trip over to the hospital. Everyone who could came to comfort her, but all she wanted, all she needed was the health of her fiancé.
The next few hours and days all combine into one large blur. A diagnosis is determined: Guillain-Barre Syndrome; a rare complication that can cause paralysis. Although the future is unknown, the doctors now look hopeful.
A nurse takes her aside. “I need you to fill out some paperwork. And we need to see your health insurance card,” she innocently requests. Except there is no card to present; they have no health insurance. Appointments are made to discuss what will happen next with payment, but everyone assures her they will make him better.
Family come, family leave. Family give money so she skips work. Family buy meals. Family spend time together. She holds her baby niece and tries to forget about the worries that tomorrow may bring; the uncertainty that waits ahead. She tries to forget that barely three days in, they have racked up a bill of $60,000. Tries, but the worry keeps her up at night.
Every visiting second is precious and spent with him. One night, her turns to her; “Will you marry me here and now? I don’t want to wait any longer.” Her eyes tear, her heart flies, but her hopes are dashed. “Calmer” heads claim he is making rash decisions and it’s only the drugs speaking. They will have to figure a way through the next few months in separate houses. She tries to believe that it will be ok, but the thoughts in her mind just will not allow her to rest.
A joyous day finally arrives. A room to his own, and soon a trip back home. They have beaten the syndrome and now must face the recovery. A hospital bill to be paid, a wedding that has been moved to a new location and an earlier date, a job, classes, and most importantly a “cranky and frustrated 25-year old” all need her attention.
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This story has no ending because it is not over yet. It is based (loosely) on my sister-in-law’s last few weeks. I highly doubt the details are correct, but I know the emotion is. I wanted to write this sooner, but the words just didn’t seem to come until today with the tears. I love my SIL like a sister and wish so much that I could be with her to help her through these tough times. The family has started a donation account, and if you feel that you can donate towards medical bills, wedding plans or just the lose of income please contact my brother-in-law Josh at
jakillion222@gmail.com for the wire transfer number. If you would like to specify your donation, just tell him. If you want to send them cards or anything through the mail, contact me at c.killion@yahoo.com, and I will make sure they get them.
Please know, I didn’t write this to beg for donations. I wrote it to share a story that is plaguing our family now. I wrote it to update you from past post I have written. And mainly, I wrote it to ask for your prayers and good thoughts. God will help them through this, I am certain about that…but it will be hard, and it may not feel like He is there at all times. That; I know of…
Thank you friends for reading.
Visit Shell at
Things I Can't Say for more Heart-filled posts.
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