POLIO AGE 4 THE BEGINNING

Thank you all who read my post yesterday. There were a few of you who had loved ones with polio.
Even a few who didn't know about PPS.

I have another blog I did several years ago. Mostly covering family and friends. I am taking a few of my posts regarding my polio from that blog. I encourage family and friends to check it out, lots of cute pictures of your kids. Danny, Dona,  Shawna , Tia  and more the address is
http://grammieofashtonashbieandmercy.blogspot.com

POLIO THE BEGINNING

I was 4 years old when I contracted Polio. So that was in 1957 sometime. One of the first questions people ask me is didn't you get the vaccine? What I've been told is I had 1 of the series. I was also late in getting the one, due to fears and repercussions from the vaccine itself. Much like what you hear today, regarding vaccines and Autism.


There are some things I remember. Some things I've been told I will let you know what I remember and what I've been told.


First I'll tell you a little about the disease.

1FROM: mama'shealth.com 2FROM:The Acorn Online

POLIO also called poliomyelitis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by one of three related viruses. Polio is a very serious disease, which can lead to paralysis or even death. Once a person is exposed to polio, it usually takes about three to five days for symptoms to appear.
In about 95 percent of polio cases, infection from the polio virus causes no symptoms or serious effects.

2 There are three types of polio: non-paralytic, spinal paralytic and bulbar—the latter two being the most severe. Spinal paralytic polio can lead to leg paralysis. Bulbar polio could result in a victim’s spending the rest of his life in an iron lung.

I had the Spinal Paralytic polio

1 Spinal Paralytic Polio:

Paralytic polio is the most serious type of polio. Paralytic polio causes paralysis. In paralytic polio, the polio virus invades the central nervous system -- the spinal cord and the brain -- and may cause weakness, paralysis, serious breathing problems or death. Paralytic polio begins like milder forms of polio, however, it usually causes severe muscle pain in addition to other symptoms. Paralysis usually happens within the first week. The individual may lose the ability to use of one or both legs, arms, and may not be able to breathe without the help of a machine. Recovery varies from person to person, but people who are paralyzed by polio will have some weakness in an arm or leg for the rest of their lives.

What causes Polio? Polio is caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract.

How Is Polio Spread? Polio can be spread by a number of ways. People who have not been immunized against polio or have a weakened immune system may contract polio from individuals who are receiving the oral polio vaccine. In developing nations, the polio virus is spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the polio virus. The polio virus may also be contracted through direct contact with infected stool or throat secretions. People are most infectious a few days before and after the onset of symptoms.

Post Polio Syndrome is a 'second' disability affecting a large number of polio survivors. I will cover that later on.

I hope I didn't bore you with all those facts .
Like I sad previously, I was 4 when I contracted Polio. Sometime in 1957.
I remember some things from that time period. I remember sitting on a couch and just falling to the side, I had a fever. I was taken to the hospital. Mercy Hospital in San Diego, Ca. then I was taken by ambulance to Children's Hospital. I don't know the time frame. I was paralyzed all over. The only thing I could move were my eyes. I'm not sure how long I was paralyzed but I stayed at Children's Hospital in San Diego for 6 months. It became my home away from home for years after with various surgeries and lots of Physical(PT) and Occupational Therapy(OT).
There are a few memories I have of my time there.. Will share next time.

Journey through life with POLIO

 LIVING WITH POLIO FROM CHILDHOOD TO GRANDMAHOOD

I've been wanting to start this blog for a long time. So here goes. Why do I want to share this? When
I was 4 years old I contracted polio. In the last few years I've wondered about others who have lived with this disease. What has their life been like. So many had it worse than me. How are they managing. Some had a slight effect from the disease. But, even they may be experiencing the awful 2nd round of polio called Post Polio Syndrome. What is this? After 40,50,60 plus years we have been diagnosed with PPS. Which is the wearing out of our good muscles, that have been working overtime for years to compensate for the dead or weakened muscles destroyed by the polio.

PPS hit me hard physically and mentally. I have always been able to do just about everything anyone else could do. I found my own way to do many things. I will get into that later. But, once PPS hit I had to face the fact that I no longer could do many things I previously could.
This was very hard to accept. I am very blessed to have my husband who has always been here for me. He has picked up more jobs around the house that I can't handle anymore. Or he is able to do it 10 times faster than me. When my daughters are with us, they are wonderful at helping.
My relationship with God has gotten me through every step of my life, without Him I probably wouldn't get out of bed. Wait some days I don't, HAHA just kidding.

I am closing today asking you to share this blog for me please. I really want to reach as many polio victims and family members as possible. I  would like to share with them, what has helped me. And hear their stories.