For years doctors suspected that Joanne might have Lupus, however every time she was tested, the results came back negative.
In February 2011, Joanne had some strokes. The cause was unknown, but doctors suspected that it was related to a blood infection that she had back in November of 2010.
She was doing well and recovering. She was unable to walk, but was learning how to use her arms and feed herself again.
In April 2011 she had many more strokes. The official report from her brain scan was "Too numerous to count." She was unconscious for months. The doctors told her family: "We have never seen anybody recover from this many strokes" and when looking at a picture of her, "That person is gone." A special doctor called a palliative care doctor was brought in to help prepare her family for her death.
Meanwhile, testing to find the cause of the strokes continued, and Joanne was finally diagnosed with Hypereosinophilic syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease.
At the end of May 2011, Joanne was moved from the hospital to a nursing home where she has continued to recover. She is now able to speak and respond to questions. However, she is unable to control her arms or legs. Her knees will now slightly bend. Others are now able to straighten her arms, and with great concentration she can bend her elbows in two phases. Right now they're working on loosening her wrists & fingers because she wants to wear her wedding ring.
Now Joanne is home but in order to get Joanne to her Dr appointments and more importantly church, she desperately needs a van. But with all the other medical expenses over the years her family cannot afford to buy one.
My brother, Joannes husband, Christian is the best husband and caregiving you could ask for. Going even beyond what could be expected of anyone to do everything possible to bless his wife and bring her home. Please consider helping him.
