About Dawn Drayton-GBS
In February, 2016 I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). To mark my one year anniversary I have launched this blog. I am hopeful that by sharing my journey I can not only motivate myself and others but also raise awareness of GBS and it's devastating effects on your physical, emotional and mental health.
Life goes by in the blink of an eye…appreciate the moments and cherish the people you love because you never know when they will be gone from this life… Continue reading →
I have an image folder titled ‘ Be Inspired ‘ and a YouTube list titled ‘ Be Reminded ‘ – both contain several inspirational quotes and songs based on the concept of ‘strength’ in the face of illness or adversity. … Continue reading →
I have happy, childhood memories of window shopping; the thick glass of the storefronts was like a magic trick that made the lights brighter and the displays more impressive. Years later I am experiencing a reversed version of those moments … Continue reading →
Shortly after my diagnosis with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO) I met someone who was in remission; she maintained that as cancer was never in control of her life she uses the label fighter versus survivor. The … Continue reading →
There are huge parts of myself that were instantly and permanently lost to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO)…in the silent moments when that fact is far too over-whelming Danny Gokey’s Tell Your Heart To Beat Again from the album … Continue reading →
I intended this post to be an epic rant but at some point I reminded myself that we (i.e. all humans including myself) can only understand from our individual level of perception so my epic rant is now a passionate plea… … Continue reading →
For one month every year, persons across the world acknowledge several different diseases and causes with colours, ribbons and activities. In May, some use blue for Guillain-Barré Syndrome awareness, green for Mental Health awareness and/or purple for Lupus awareness. Regardless of the … Continue reading →
Solitude, Isolation, Loneliness… Three distinct words that are often analysed as a whole; some believe that solitude is connected and replenishes while isolation and loneliness are disconnected and diminishes, some proffer that loneliness and solitude are the expressions of the … Continue reading →
Danny Gokey and his team had a direct link to my thoughts and feelings when they wrote Masterpiece from the album Rise… Heartbreak’s a bitter sound Know it well, it’s ringing in my ears, And I can’t understand Why I’m … Continue reading →
February is a unique month; it is the shortest of the calendar year but definitely the longest of my life; to skim the surface (purposely omitting in-depth details on the pain, swelling and daily physical struggles) within the last 28 … Continue reading →
Each one of my physical therapy (PT) sessions are structured to promote movement, restore physical function and reduce pain. As a personal goal, every month I try to increase my weights or reps and add a new exercise to my routine. The … Continue reading →
Albeit to varying degrees, everyone values their face and appearance – I was shocked to tears in April 2016 when I saw myself for the first time post Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). In the months following I avoided pictures like a plague; … Continue reading →
In my ‘ The Other Stuff ‘ post, I described the intense nerve pain associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a life form that threatened my sanity. Preservation of mind came only after I started to move my toes and … Continue reading →
Today Barbados celebrated 51 years of independence from the United Kingdom. National celebrations are most often preceded by discussions and heated debates about what independence means and if it truly exists for us as a nation. Within 24 hours, the … Continue reading →
From separate conversations recently, I realized that the specifics of my paralysis and immobility are not fully understood by some persons who are following my journey with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO). At first I was surprised, … Continue reading →
In May we wore blue for Guillain-Barré Syndrome, we are wearing pink for Cancer in October and in November we will be wearing purple for Alzheimer’s Disease. Regardless of the life changing illness or the colour of the ribbon, we need the … Continue reading →
At the moment that I was admitted to hospital it did not occur to me that I would be in a coma within 24 hours, I expected to be home in 5 days. At the time of my discharge from … Continue reading →
When I was planning for this post I intended to write about milestones – I would have highlighted the 11th of August as my 18th month anniversary with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS); discussed my emotional health and the relief I felt … Continue reading →
Kellie Cadogan and the production team at East Point Productions Inc. featured The Dawn Drayton Medical Fund Appeal at their annual Jazz & Vocal Showcase – Walkin’ In My Own Shoes. Not only did the patrons generously contribute to my … Continue reading →
Les Brown said “too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” I can relate, I live in fear of… …what else will be added to my current diagnoses of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Neurogenic … Continue reading →
The physical limitations and emotional chaos of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO) have created havoc in my life – loneliness, anxiety, boredom, depression and lack of productivity are just a few of my inherited struggles. While I am … Continue reading →
Do you consider how your mind and body functions to allow a day in your life to happen? I did not, my well established routine happened independent of my conscious thoughts until Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO) … Continue reading →
Birthdays are a celebration of life. It is a day when we acknowledge the passage of time and the cycle of change. A moment where we reflect on the past, count our blessings and plan for the future…it’s a new beginning! … Continue reading →
February 2017 – how do I record time relative to the drastic changes in my life? 1 year..366 days..12 months..52 weeks..8,784 hours..527,040 minutes..31,622,400 seconds Seconds! The 8 digits were best suited to the enormity of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Neurogenic … Continue reading →
I had a conversation with a lady who fought and won her battle with Cancer, I referred to her as a ‘Cancer Survivor’ but she corrected me and said that she is a ‘Cancer Fighter’; she had never embraced the … Continue reading →
I never made New Year resolutions and 2017 was not going to be the year that I started but I knew that I had to make changes if I was going to deal with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Neurogenic Heterotopic … Continue reading →
I saw this image and could immediately relate it to me and the last 10 months with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO).
Have you ever fantasized about something? What was going to happen, how you were going to feel and the conversations that you were going to have as you relayed the sequence of events to others! I did, I had a … Continue reading →
I had read every article, book, research paper, information booklet and personal account of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that I could find, Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification (NHO) and Manipulation under Anesthesia (MUA) had suffered the same fate. … Continue reading →
October was a mixed bag…the Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) was postponed from the 05th to the 19th. There was already so much uncertainty surrounding the procedure that I was not sure if the delay was a positive or negative omen but … Continue reading →
After the consultation with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist & Orthopaedic Surgeon I managed to make it into the taxi before breaking down. The driver was so concerned that he pulled over and attempted to console me with kind words … Continue reading →
I have heard that lightning does not strike in the same place twice, apparently that does not apply to me and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). When I visited with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist I was diagnosed with bilateral Neurogenic Heterotopic Ossification … Continue reading →
My experience with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has evoked the purest and sincerest of thoughts and emotions; I am always awed to hear persons relate their interactions with me after GBS, below my dear friend Kellie Cadogan-Price shares hers…
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) epitomizes change, pain and time at their greatest… Every aspect of my life had changed, I missed the person that I use to be but most of all I missed the independence that I had taken for … Continue reading →
There is a saying that time flies when you are having fun, the opposite holds true! I was home for only three days but they were three especially long days and I was reeling from the pain, exhaustion and whirlwind … Continue reading →
28th – 31st May 2016 Day 114 / 28th May: 16 weeks after the onset of my symptoms I was being discharged from the hospital.
Regardless of the situation or the severity, illness is never isolated. GBS especially, demands that everyone with whom you come into contact with give of themselves physically and emotionally.
10th APRIL – 28th MAY 2016 Day 66 / 10th April: After 8 weeks I was still dazed, partially paralyzed, swollen and prone to erratic blood pressures but stable enough to be transferred from MICU. I was attempting to speak but unable … Continue reading →
12th FEBRUARY – 10th APRIL 2016 Day 8 with GBS…I have no definitive memories from this moment, everything that I share with you about this period in my journey is as told to me…I attempted to take a sip of … Continue reading →
They are days that I need all the help that I can get, when the prayers, support and care provided by those who truly love me are the only anchors I have. This song/video says it all, top five on my … Continue reading →
11th – 12th February, 2016 On the 11th at 6:12 p.m., for only the second time in my entire life, I was admitted to hospital….I was in accident and emergency for a little over an hour before being taken to my … Continue reading →
THE BEGINNING: 05th – 11th FEBRUARY 2016 The sunrise of the 05th of February 2016 was the catalyst for a series of events that threatened and failed to end my life but successfully altered its’ course forever…..
