A Bump in the Road, Wayne's Diagnosis

It's been a little while since I have updated this little blog.  Not sure why I let it get away from me.  Perhaps, it's that I have a little much going on at the present time.  A few weeks back Wayne was experiencing a weird thing where he was having a slight lisp in his speaking.  At first we thought it might be an allergic reaction to something he was eating and he went to see my brother who gave him some medication.  As this did not seem to get any better and then actually developed into an additional symptoms of harder times of swallowing and choking at various times.  An appointment was set up at an ENT, which diagnosed it as acid reflux, something that he had not even has as little as heartburn ever in his life and a barium swallow test ordered at the hospital.  This was done and came back normal.  Still frustration as this was not giving us the answers we were seeking.  All this time, which was a little over 3/4 weeks his voice or speech would have difficult but not on a consistent basis.  Then on one particular Thursday it didn't go away.  He started sounding as if he had an hair lip, or cleft palate.  It was awful.  He called himself "Special Wayne"  We would laugh and make light jokes, but to be honest it was rather scary.  What in the world was happening.  Had he had a stroke, a tumor, we were confused.  He called his primary care physician who had him come in the following day, Friday, who told him he did not know what in the world was wrong with him and ordered an MRI that evening at ST. Mark Hospital of his brain and throat area and follow up with another ENT.  The MRI came back completely normal, which was good/great news, but still disturbing and the next ENT was still just as stumped.  In fact, he said he had seen lots of things, but in his many years this was right at the top of strange and unusual.  Terrific.  Before he went to have the MRI done, Bridger gave him a Priesthood blessing, which was awesome that he could do this for his dad.  In this blessing he told his dad, that this would just be a "bump in the road" that he would have angels round about him and that those who had gone before him would be by his side.  Interesting for sure.  And on we went.  With no news to say otherwise, Wayne, Bridger, Caleb and Dave (Wayne's dad) all decided why not go hunting.  It wasn't life threatening and perhaps this was something that was going to have to just work it self out.  When they returned on Saturday, Wayne's lip had swollen up quite large, and he still sounded so bad.  It was then that I called Ted, (my brother, Physician) again.  I think then he was concerned as well.  I put Wayne on the phone and he talked with him.  It was then that Ted could tell something was not right.  He could tell by his speech that is was not something that was just a virus and perhaps he needed to do something more.  Ted was on his way to San Diego, but would have his nurse call some residents at the UofU Neurology Dept. in the morning and get him in asap.  And that she did.  That was on Monday, and on Wednesday we had an appointment to see a Dr. Marshall at the Neurological Voice Disorder Clinic.  Never even knew they had one of those.  After seeing a speech pathologist and having many different tests done and seeing three other doctors and interns, they diagnosed him with Myasthenia Gravis.  But, blood work would have to be done before it was confirmed.  Off to the UofU Hospital to have that done, and on Friday, it was confirmed.  An auto immune disease that is actually very treatable.  Not something you would want, but the best of the worst if you will.  He will have to be on steroids for  several months until they get the medicine figured out.  But, it's amazing.  When taken, within 30 minutes he sounds completely normal. No more "Special Wayne" It has some side affects that he is working through, but he will get past that, hopefully.  He has his own Neurologist, which he jokes about.  He never thought he'd have one of those.  But he is a great guy, Dr. Nicholas Johnson.  We have been truly blessed and have seen the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father in all of this as it was a miracle that he was seen so quickly.  Most appointments take 6-8 weeks to be able to get in.  As his job is mostly verbal communication this was devastating to him to not be able to speak to these people he has been talking to for several years.  I am certain it is due to having a faithful son on a mission dutifully serving and doing his part.  As well as us trying our best to serve and do our best here at home.  But, we are grateful that things are at this point.  The medicine seems to be working well and so far the side affects are manageable.  Through this all we have found that we have wonderful family and friends that have come to text, stop by with treats, and checked up on him to make certain all is well. For that we are forever grateful.