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Sherri Oldham's vacation to the Philippines turned into more than a month-long hospital stay after she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that left her paralyzed from the neck down.
You can help Sherri's family here.
What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, causing muscle weakness and, in some cases, paralysis.
The exact cause is unknown; it usually happens days or weeks after a minor illness, like a respiratory infection, stomach flu, or viral infection.
A Vacation Turns Into a Medical Crisis
Oldham traveled to the Philippines with a friend to visit the friend's family and see the country. About a week into the trip, she began feeling sick.
"I kind of felt like I had flu symptoms," said Sherri Oldham.
Within days, she could no longer move. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.
"I had peace about it. I knew I wasn't going to die," she said. "I just said, ‘Hey, what do we do about it?'"
Weeks in the ICU
Oldham has spent more than a month in the Philippines, including three weeks in an ICU bed with hospital staff by her side.
"I'm not worried. There's no fear. There's frustration now," Oldham said.
The Cost of Care Overseas
In the Philippines, care must be paid upfront. The Oldhams have been paying nearly $2,000 a week for Sherri's physical therapy and other needs, not including medicine.
Bringing Her Home
Her husband, Rocky Oldham, traveled to the Philippines to help bring her home. Getting her back to the U.S. required nearly $60,000 to cover three flights totaling 20 hours and two accompanying nurses. Rocky had planned to pull the money from his retirement account.
"It ain't worth nothing without her," Rocky Oldham, Sherri's husband, said. "Yeah, you can have all the money in the world, but if you ain't got nobody to share it with, what's it worth?"
The Stigler Community Steps In
The community set up a donation account for the family. Rocky's daughter called with an update on the total raised.
"She goes, ‘Right now there's $58,974.92,'" Rocky said. "I'm like, ‘No, that can't - that's awesome, so good. They already moved my money over from the retirement.' She goes, ‘No, that's not even in there.'"
The total ended up four dollars more than what they needed.
"I knew I had people that love me," Sherri said. "But that kind of love just comes from God."
The Route Home
The Oldhams will fly from Davao, Philippines, to Manila, then to Los Angeles and on to Dallas. From Dallas, Sherri will take a four-hour ambulance ride to a hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to continue physical therapy.
Timeline
- June 19 - Sherri Oldham arrives in the Philippines.
- June 30 - She begins feeling sick.
- July 1 - She is hospitalized and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.
- July 5 - Her husband, Rocky Oldham, arrives in the Philippines.
- July 15- The money is donated to bring Sherri home
- July 25 - The Oldhams plan to depart the Philippines for the United States.
