Shut Your Eyes - Snow Patrol

Lyric:- 'And when the worrying starts to hurt, and the world feels like graves of dirt. Just close your eyes until, you can imagine this place, yeah, our secret space at will - Lightbody, Connolly, Simpson, Wilson & Quinn

Song Choice:- If I close my eyes maybe my current predicament will simply vanish and the last month will have just been a simple nightmare. Sadly for me, I believe the real nightmare is just beginning, you see since returning from this year's Marathon des Sables, my mobility, sleep and even smile have been compromised. It's left me in a right pickle to say the least unable to walk unaided and yesterday, I was admitted into University Hospital Llandough, near Cardiff, as I have Guillain-Barre Syndrome and I'm off to the Heath University Hospital Cardiff now to start the treatment.

WTF? Exactly as I'd never heard of it either and depending on which part of the internet you read it ranges from very kinda serious to very kinda life threatening and rather than me list all my symptoms, I've copied this from Wikipedia as it lists all of mine quite nicely.

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune systemdamaging the peripheral nervous system. Many experience changes in sensation or develop pain, followed by muscle weakness beginning in the feet and hands. The symptoms develop over half a day to two weeks. During the acute phase, the disorder can be life-threatening with about a quarter developing weakness of the breathing muscles and requiring mechanical ventilation. Some are affected by changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to dangerous abnormalities in heart rate and blood pressure.

This autoimmune disease is caused by the body's immune system mistakenly attacking the peripheral nerves and damaging their myelin insulation. Sometimes this immune dysfunction is triggered by an infection. The diagnosis is usually made based on the signs and symptoms, through the exclusion of alternative causes, and supported by tests such as nerve conduction studies and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. Various classifications exist, depending on the areas of weakness, results of nerve conduction studies, and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies. It is classified as an acute polyneuropathy.

In those with severe weakness, prompt treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis, together with supportive care, will lead to good recovery in the majority. Some may experience ongoing difficulty with walking, painful symptoms, and some require long-term breathing support. Guillain–Barré syndrome is rare, at one to two cases per 100,000 people every year.

Now what the heck does all this mean, well who knows. I must thank my Doctor Brother and Doctor Ganderton at my own local surgery whom spotted all the tell-tale signs otherwise it would have been a whole lot worse by now as GBS is Rapid and needs a lot of management to beat it's complications.

My job now, is come to terms with just functioning for the next few days/weeks/months and try to be a good patient and make a recovery. The care I've received so far can only go to help as it's well beyond the call of duty. It's my aim to be walking as much as I can whilst I'm in here to keep myself mobile and keep this nightmare killer at bay.

Well that's the plan anyway...more later.

Rory Coleman

976 Marathons, 241 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records, 13 Marathon des Sables and 1 Sick Bugger