Dear Krystal's blogosphere friends and family,
I wanted to take a moment to do for my wife what she can't do for herself, blog! You see, on May 4th--at about 4:40am Krystal woke up with a sharp pain in her back, and paralysis of the hands and legs. As per the advice nurse's instructions--I was assisting her into the bathroom to give her a warm bath (as she could not walk on her own) when all of a sudden she blacked out for about 15-30 seconds. I scooped her up and plopped her and her baby bump on the bed, got her dressed, and drove her to the emergency room (but not before I was able to give her a priesthood blessing). Fortunately for us, Krystal chose the perfect time to get paralyzed--as most ordinary (and even sick people) were still in bed. Just like Krystal isn't it, always so considerate.
Within 5 minutes of our arrival, an ER doctor was poking and prodding at Krystal's lifeless limbs. Her hands were curled up just as you would expect to see on a paralytic. After several pokes, prods, and squeezes--the confused Doctor decided to call in the big guns. A few hours later--a distinguished looking man in his fifties came in and introduced himself, "Hi, my name is Dr. _______, and I'm a NEUROLOGIST." He spoke and enunciated his words in the same way you would expect a Neurologist to talk if he were addressing a class full of 2nd grade science students---check that, make that 2nd grade ESL students in inner-city Los Angeles. At any rate, he poked, prodded, and left with the same confused look on his face as the first doctor.
To make a long story short(er), Krystal ended up spending 5 nights in the hospital. After consulting 2 Neurologists, getting 3 MRI's, 1 Spinal Tap, and a battery of blood tests, Krystal was released with the vague non-diagnosis of "myopathy of unknown etiology." Through that time, she was able to regain some strength in her legs, and can now feed and clean herself most times. At this point I'm certain she is the fastest person utilizing the walker this side of the Mississippi (no offense to those of you with very agile Grandmothers living out west).
For those of you who know Krystal well, she is bearing this trial just as you might expect, she has been the perfect example to me of patience, hope, and faith in the Lord. It probably helped that she had the best Doctor in the world to call and her and see how she was doing:
Kily Hernandez, M.D.
(She even makes house calls)
The nurses were equally wonderful, and ever so attentive to her every need. There was one nurse however who made the hospitalization ever so, how shall we say, memorable. You see, this nurse was special. She was the most vocal about thinking out loud that Krystal was somehow somatasizing the stress of being pregnant and a new foster mom of a high needs child. She was the same nurse who would constantly forget that Krystal's hands didn't work and would ask Krystal if she wanted to give herself certain shots. Every time she left, Krystal and I would look at each other and just laugh because we knew that she wasn't quite getting what was happening medically with Krystal. However, there is one moment that will remain indelibly marked in our memories. About the 3rd day in Krystal had gained some function of her legs, and was able to walk with a walker. The day before, she was able to move enough to walk to the shower where a CNA was able to help her bathe. Well, on the 3rd day, Krystal wasn't feeling all that well and opted for what she thought was going to be a light cleaning with a hand towel and warm soapy water. The same CNA who had assisted her the day before was there with her protege (i.e. CNA in training), and before she knew it Krystal was flat on her back getting a FULL BODY scrub down by the 2 hospital staff. Just at the moment of greatest compromise, Krystal's unbelieving nurse walked in and with exasperation in her voice exclaimed, "THIS WOMAN CAN WALK." Before there was time for anybody to explain that first, Krystal wasn't feeling well enough to walk to the shower, 2, she didn't expect to get a FULL scrub down by no less than 2 people, and 3, that the CNA's knew full well that she could walk, the nurse turned around and walked out. Just thinking about it still makes us laugh! The awkwardness of it all, this poor nurse thinking Krystal was milking the experience for all it was worth and feigning being paralyzed for a good ol' fashion scrub down.
Anyway, now for the sex part.....IT'S A BOY!!! The day after she was released from the hospital we went for the ultrasound appointment and had confirmed my greatest hope/fear--it's a boy! As you can imagine, there is some good news after all. Don't get me wrong, I didn't care what sex it was, as long as it was a healthy boy.
Krystal continues to improve day by day. It's been a tremendous blessing to have such a strong support system in place--including loving ward members who have been bringing by warm meals without anyone even asking. Or my family who has been willing to drop all to come and be with us in our time of need.
Thanks to all of you who have given us kind reminders that the Lord has not forgotten us, especially in our time of need. God be thanked for his infinite gifts...
-Jose
