Many of us, especially men, define ourselves by the job we have. Don’t believe me? Ask a guy who he is. He will almost certainly answer with his job title. “I’m an executive vice-president.” Or “I’m the sales manager at the Honda dealership.” The ones who don’t will answer with their main hobby. “I’m a sailor.” Or “I’m an amateur photographer.” Therefore, anything that threatens our job, threatens our sense of self-identity.
Musician Lucky Oceans had to deal with just such an existential crisis when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare set of symptoms that relate to the damage or destruction of parts of the peripheral nervous system by the immune system. Weakness and numbness are frequently the first symptoms that people notice. Most people do not seek medical attention until these symptoms become dramatically worse, affecting their daily activities. This is quite soon though, as most people have a quick progression to the lowest point within the first two to three weeks.
Lucky Oceans’ symptoms began while he was on vacation visiting his family. He woke up with a headache. By the early afternoon, his hands and feet were tingling. By the next morning, his feet were so numb that he could barely walk down the stairs. He made an appointment with his mother’s doctor and struggled to get there. The doctor was uncertain.
He thought it could be Guillain-Barré syndrome or multiple sclerosis.
By day three of the mysterious symptoms, Lucky attempted to play his acoustic guitar, but couldn’t feel his fingertips well enough to strike a chord. The next day, Lucky and his wife decided it was time to check out a nearby hospital equipped with a significant neurology department. After more tests, it was confirmed that he had Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The hospital started treatment right away in the form of five-hour daily infusions. When he finished his fifth day of infusions, he was a man transformed. The only thing that he couldn’t do was raise his left arm above the shoulder, but he was getting closer day-by-day. The doctors even told him that he could go back to his home in Australia, a 30-hour plane journey.
Through all of this, Lucky Oceans maintained a positive outlook on his disease. He was laughing and joking almost before he was out of his hospital bed. He’s been able to get back out on stage since his diagnosis. If only we could all be so fortunate to be diagnosed and treated so quickly.
To read Lucky’s own words describing his journey, click here.
