Harmony's Recovery from 2 Spinal Strokes within 4 months

Monday morning (April 22nd, 2024) started out as a normal morning, Harmony prepared the kids for school and was getting ready for a regular doctor’s appointment when she started feeling severe back pain that wrapped around to her abdomen. Within minutes, her right leg went numb, and she could not move it, or even wiggle her toes. I rushed her to the ER, and while we were waiting for hours to be seen, her left leg also went numb and she could no longer move either of her legs.

She was admitted to Piedmont Eastside on 4/23, where they performed many tests and attempted to treat her symptoms with high dose steroids and IV Immunoglobulin therapy. After a week of this treatment her condition continued to worsen, with numbness moving up to her rib cage. Harmony was still experiencing pain in her mid-to-upper back, and is paralyzed from the waist down. After 4 days of fighting to get her transferred to a tertiary hospital who could provide additional treatment and resources, we were able to finally get her transferred to Piedmont Atlanta on Saturday, May 4th where she received Plasmapheresis treatment (plasma exchange therapy) and additional testing.

We were hopeful that the plasmapheresis therapy would enable Harmony’s condition to improve and that she would regain feeling and use of her lower extremities with the help of some occupational and physical therapy. Unfortunately, after 5 days of this treatment, there was still no improvement in Harmony’s condition, so the neurologists ordered a special MRI to investigate if Harmony experienced a “spinal stroke”. On Monday morning, May 12th, Mother’s day…we received the MRI results and the doctors confirmed that Harmony experienced a spinal stroke. This rare condition disrupts blood flow to the spinal cord, potentially causing tissue damage and impeding nerve impulses. Spinal strokes, account for less than 1% of all strokes and present unique challenges for recovery.

Initially, we had hoped for a diagnosis of "transverse myelitis," anticipating that plasma exchange treatments would aid in restoring sensation and mobility to her legs, allowing Harmony to return to her usual self with minimal therapy. However, with the confirmation ruling out transverse myelitis, we understood that Harmony's road to recovery would be more arduous and prolonged.

In the wake of this news, we find ourselves in a state of shock, grappling with the implications for the future, however we remain hopeful for the best outcome possible. The only treatment for a spinal stroke is inpatient acute rehabilitation, so we were able to get Harmony accepted at the world-renowned Shepherd Center in Atlanta. We don’t know if she will be able to walk again and will most likely have to make some modifications to our home before she returns. We have set up this go fund me account to assist us with the unknown financial strain this may cause for our household.

Please help us relieve some of the financial burden. The donated funds will go towards medical bills, making our home accessible to her (which may require renovation) and other unexpected expenses. We are learning new things each day about spinal strokes and how they are treated; Harmony is going to have ups and downs in her recovery. There is a long road ahead for her and she is working hard with physical therapy every day. We know she can handle this and fight a hard fight! Harmony has the love and support of all her loved ones who are prepared to help when possible but, unfortunately, we can’t do it all on our own. Your donations, love and support are greatly appreciated. The next few months will be the most important months of her recovery. Harmony’s full focus must be her recovery and we hope the financial unknowns will not distract her from that.

Harmony continues to remain positive and do everything in her power to assist with her recovery. We’re praying for a miracle and know that God is in our corner and has a plan for us. We thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Please feel free to leave your kind words of encouragement to Harmony on this page.

Thank you,

The Perez Family