Before All Others

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1

You must be Katie.

Hi, I'm Rachel.

So what grade are you in?

Fifth.

Fifth, do you like school?

It's okay.

It's okay, what do you

wanna be when you grow up?

I think I wanna be a doctor

or maybe a singer.

Oh, well there is no rush to decide.

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay.

Let's...

Let's take a look inside, shall we?

There you go.

Open.

A little wider please.

Okay.

Ow!

Oh, I'm sorry.

Hey, let's see if we can do

something about the pain, all right?

You know, when I was your age

I hated going to the dentist.

But when I was your age we did not have

these cool medications

to take the pain away.

There we go.

All right, that should do it.

Okay.

We're gonna need to run more tests.

Your blood pressure is elevated

and your heart rate

is higher than normal.

And how have you been feeling lately?

Fine.

I've been a little fatigued, but my

schedule's been pretty hectic lately.

Have you had any cold

or flu symptoms at all?

I had a stomach bug a few weeks ago,

but it went away.

Okay.

I'd like you to sit back on the table

and see if you could get your legs

all the way up there.

Okay, I'm gonna roll one of your

pant legs up and then put these

little pads on there for you.

Now you're gonna feel some of these

electrical impulses,

but they won't be bad.

And you didn't feel any

light-headedness during your stumbling?

No.

My hands and feet felt a little numb

and my legs are still weak,

but I didn't have

breakfast this morning.

Okay, you can roll your pant leg down.

Now this meter here,

it's measuring the speed

at which the electrical impulses

are traveling through your nerves.

Now in your case, they are traveling...

Slower than they should be.

This is usually indicating that you have

some sort of abnormal pressure

on the nerves in your legs there.

I'd like to order an MRI and

some additional blood work.

We'll call you as soon

as we get the results.

Should I be worried?

Now what good would that do?

Jacob, hey, you get taller

every time I see you.

What can I say?

All right, climb in.

So how is school?

The same.

Same?

Are you still playing baseball?

Yeah, but my coach doesn't

play me very often.

I'm glad to hear that, I would hate to

see that perfect smile

get ruined by a ball.

My dad's gonna let me try out

for pee wee football next year.

Football?!

Hey no, why don't you try

out for the Chess Club?

The what?

Never mind.

All right, let's get a look

at those pearly whites

while you still got them.

Are you okay?

I don't think so.

Someone help!

I can still smell you in these.

Those old things?

You should throw them away.

Never.

I thought you were gonna

clean out this old place.

I haven't had time.

The house takes a lot of upkeep.

Why don't you get some help?

I've been thinking about it.

You know what next week is?

Of course, it's our anniversary.

It's the only date I care to remember.

I miss holding you.

We'll be together again.

I know, someday.

GBS?

Yes, Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

It's an auto immune disorder.

It's pretty rare, but most patients

find they get a full recovery.

What causes it?

We're really not sure.

Basically your immune cells

begin to attack

your healthy cells mistaking them

for some foreign invader like bacteria.

Then your nerve cells become damaged to

the point where they can't communicate

properly with your muscles.

Can I take medication for it?

Not in the traditional sense.

The recovery process

can take a few months

and depending on the severity,

could take up to a year.

But again, with physical therapy,

98% of our patients see a full recovery.

What about the other 2%?

Some never recover.

You'll need to be moved to a quiet,

stress free environment

under full supervision.

Do you know somebody who can help you?

All my friends work full time.

My grandmother has a cabin up North.

Maybe I could stay with her?

Is your grandmother capable

of caring for you at this level?

I guess, I haven't seen her in awhile.

I don't think you understand.

This is a very debilitating disease.

It's likely that things are gonna

get worse before they get better.

I don't really have anyone else.

Our other option is

a skilled nursing facility.

A nursing home?

No, it's an assisted care environment.

They'll help you with eating, walking,

bathing, etc, etc...

No, no, no.

Why don't you give your

grandmother a call right now?

Hello?

Grandma, it's Rachel.

Who?

Rachel!

Your granddaughter.

Hello sweetie, how are you?

Fine, fine, I'm just fine.

Listen, I need to ask a favor of you.

Well of course, anything.

I'm going to be laid up for a bit

and I need a place where I can go...

Where someone can keep an eye

on me while I recover.

Recover?

What's wrong?

I just...

I just caught a little something

and I need a place to stay.

If it's too much trouble

I can ask somebody else.

Nonsense, I would love to

have you visit me.

Are you sure it's okay?

I have all the room in the world!

When are you coming?

I'm not sure yet, I'll have

to let you know later.

That is so good, Rachel.

You know, I'll be saying a prayer

for you in the meantime.

Thanks, grandma.

See you soon.

Hello?

Hi grandma, it's Rachel.

Well Rachel, how are you?

Well I've been better.

Well you know I hadn't heard from you

in awhile and I was hoping you

hadn't forgotten about our visit.

Can you meet me at the doctor's office?

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