Sam's Recovery from AFM#sambostrong

The Langol's were a happy, fun loving, faithful family raising their two boys, Jack 5 and Sam ("Sambo") 3, until the terrifying wrath of Acute Flaccid Myelitis crept into their lives in September 2018. Sam started with a fever on a Wednesday, saw the pediatrician on Thursday, and was sent home stating it was a virus and to continue treating the fever. On Friday, the fever was worse, he was vomiting and lethargic, so back to the pediatrician they went. Again, they were sent home with advice on how to control the fever.  By Saturday morning, Sambo couldn’t walk or hold up his head, so they went directly to UPMC's Children’s Hospital ER. While being tested in the ER, they noticed that he couldn’t move his left arm or leg. This advanced to no mobility in any limbs. They were admitted late on Saturday and got an MRI, which initially looked like an autoimmune disease was attacking his spinal cord. After two more children were admitted on Sunday with very similar symptoms, they changed the diagnosis to enterovirus, which is a typical cold virus that most kids process as a respiratory cold virus. They believe there is a specific strain of this virus that causes some kids’ bodies to process this in a similar way to the polio virus, thus leading to Acute Flaccid Myelitis.  Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become  very weak, and ultimately causes loss of function all together. This condition is not new, but the increase in cases seen starting in 2014 is new. Still, CDC estimates that less than one in a million people in the United States will get AFM every year. There is a lot they don’t know about this strain of the enterovirus or the recovery process with AFM.  Sambo's first month to recover began as an inpatient at Children's Hospital and an inpatient rehabilitation center in Pittsburgh. During their stay, they learned of a place which has extensive experience with the rehabilitation of kids stricken with AFM, Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) in Baltimore. Sam was accepted as a patient and he was transferred on October 19th. This meant that the family would need to be separated. Stephanie would stay with Sam, and John would stay at home with Jack, then they would switch the following week. The first week was full of assessments by a team of specialists, which included doctors, physical, occupational and speech therapists and around the clock nursing care.  When they met with the KKI medical team on Oct 24th, it became very clear that the road for recovery was going to be a long, hard fought battle, but they are all ready to fight, both physically and emotionally, especially Sam. He is spending everyday in therapy to regain movement in his limbs. He gives 100% effort, shows tremendous drive and has a great attitude, despite what he is facing. He has been able to wiggle toes and fingers a little, which we are all grateful for, but therapy will need to continue, likely for years.  Family and friends are supporting them with meals, babysitting Jack, lots of prayers and shoulders to cry on, but financially, we are asking for help to ease the financial strain now and in the months and years ahead. The long term treatment plan is unknown, but already it is clear the expenses will be overwhelming.   There is a 1 in a million chance of developing Acute Flaccid Myelitis ... Please help this 1 in a million, bright, rambunctious, loving, and determined little boy in his recovery. Please pray for God's grace in Sam's recovery and please find it in your heart to donate, whatever you can, whenever you can. Truly, every dollar will help. Thank you! Friends and Family of the Langol's (John, Stephanie, Jack and Sam)