Renee Alas Medical Emergency Fund

On the morning of June 15th, 2023 Renee’s life was turned upside down when she woke up to go to work and could barely move her legs. Her husband Alex immediately took her to UCLA ER. As they were awaiting blood tests and MRI results, this weakness turned into paralysis, moving from her legs up to the rest of her body. The MRIs revealed lesions in her spine and brain and she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis. Transverse Myelitis is a rare neurological disorder in which inflammation of the spinal cord damages the myelin, causing paralysis, sensory problems, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. The cause of Renee’s episode of transverse myelitis is still unknown. However, Renee had been complaining of unusual neurological symptoms for months in her feet, legs, and back that were repeatedly discounted by multiple doctors and ignored by a negligent neurologist just one week prior to the incident.

UCLA immediately started treatment consisting of a high-dose steroid and plasma replacement therapy. Renee slowly started to regain some feeling in her arms, but the rest of her body remained completely paralyzed.

After 10 days at UCLA, she was transferred to California Rehabilitation Institute Hospital where she remained inpatient for approximately 2 months undergoing intensive rehabilitation. She finally was able to come home on August 18th. Though she was finally home, the reality was setting in that the road to recovery was extremely long. Transverse Myelitis has rendered her in a wheelchair, a stark contrast to her usual 6 days per week running and CrossFit routine (and don’t forget all those marathons and half Ironman’s for LLS fundraising!) The progress for the last five months has been slow but hopeful. With the help of intensive outpatient physical and occupational therapy 3 times per week Renee is focused on rebuilding her body from the ground up.

The following list of accomplishments may seem small to most, but for Renee, it has taken all of her effort and determination to get there:

- She can wheel herself around with a manual wheelchair.

- She is now able to handle her self-care including getting dressed and tying her shoes while in the wheelchair.

- She can transfer to the bed, toilet, car, and PT tables by herself.

- She has learned how to self-catheter.

- With supervision, she is using a walker to practice standing and walking; most recently she took several hundred steps.

Renee has made incredible progress, yet still has a long road of recovery ahead of her. Her spinal cord injury comes with other complications such as muscle spasms (clonus and extensor spasms), neuropathic pain (in the lower half of her body as well as a squeezing sensation around her torso), and neurogenic bladder/bowel. Not only Renee, but this has turned Alex’s world upside down, as well as the rest of her family. Renee’s husband Alex has become her full-time caretaker. He helps her complete her PT exercises daily, practice walking with a walker, and practice standing balance and sitting balance. Not only does he help Renee with her physical impairments, he also has taken on the household chores, errands, and responsibilities.

Though Renee has a long road to recovery in order to walk again, her determination and spirits are high. Her neurologists predict that her recovery may take several more months to a year or longer. Until then, intensive outpatient physical therapy will continue to help her regain the feeling of her body again.

Please donate to help Renee with the expenses that have accrued because of her diagnosis. Renee and Alex greatly appreciate any help they receive.

Thank you!

For those of you who may not know Renee well, I'd like to share some of my favorite things about her. Renee has dedicated her career to clinical psychology. Currently, she is a Team Lead Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West LA. She spent years getting her doctorate in psychology to help people. She currently helps veterans with Mental health and substance abuse disorders. Renee is also happily married to a wonderful man named Alex and they have a beautiful fur baby named Biggie. Renee and Alex explore the coast of California spending their off days wine tasting and enjoying life's simple pleasures. They dedicate every day to their health by eating healthy and exercising. Renee enjoys the art of Krav Maga and CrossFit. After Renee beat cancer in 2011, she and her husband Alex started Triathlon training for the Half Iron Man to raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. She completed over 3 Half Iron Mans! Renee is full of life and gives so much to the people around her. Her perseverance, dedication, and wisdom inspire anybody who crosses paths with her. She will be back on her feet and doing all the things she does one day, but until then, Renee and Alex greatly appreciate any help they can get!