Monday, June 15, 2009

An update....




About a year and a half ago Nate was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Since his diagnosis, Nate's condition has been described as "a-typical". The type of MS Nate suffers from is not like other forms of MS. It affects his cognitive ability. The doctors are essentially stumped.

Despite living with MS for several years, Nate has managed quite well. He served a mission, held down a job and finished his associates degree.

Because his condition is so a-typical, he was referred to the Mayo Clinic for further assessment and treatment. Earlier this month, the Mayo Clinic performed a biopsy of the right frontal lobe of his brain.

He was recovering quite well until last week when he became nauseous and unable to move. He was admitted to the hospital and has been there since Friday morning. Since Friday his condition has worsened to the point of total paralysis from the neck down. We don't know if it is temporary or permanent yet. The doctors at IHC and the Mayo Clinic have been collaborating about his condition and treatment. Once again, they are stumped. To say that his current condition is once again a-typical is an understatement, in fact today the doctor described it as "a syndrome of one".

He is currently being treated for symptoms akin to Guillain-Barre syndrome. The doctors feel that this is the best treatment for his current condition and hope to resume his MS treatment once he can recover from the paralysis.

Nate is in the ICU at IHC in Salt Lake. He needs a respirator to breathe and is being tube fed. He can move his head slightly up and down to answer questions and is seldom awake. He can hear and understand everything around him but is in a state of paralysis. He likes to listen to music when he is awake and I'm sure he is annoyed with our constant questions and well wishes.

We are so grateful for the love and support we have received from friends and family on Nate's behalf. Mark and Frankie are in good spirits and are handling this experience with faith and humility. They are truly the rocks of the family.

I will update this blog as we get new information about Nate's condition.

Sam

13 comments:

  1. I am so sorry that Nate has to deal with this.My thoughts and prayers will be with him and your whole family. Thank you for creating a blog on his status, I will check it frequently and wish for the best. Please give Nate my love!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sam- you amaze me. Thanks for keeping us updated. Give your family our love. We are praying for you guys and the strength to keep moving forward. Our home is open anytime to your children so you can go to the hospital. Please use us in any way you need to. We love you guys. Eric & Missy Butikofer 801-998-8788 or 801-634-2930

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for creating this blog. Thinking of you all. We love you Nate!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sam...I just left the hospital. Your mom couldn't say enough about what a great brother and son you have been. This blog is perfect. It answers so many questions. Nate is like a son to me and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nate and the entire Sonntag family.

    ReplyDelete
  6. we are thinkin and paryin for you all. if you need anything give me a call 801-557-1399 Kippi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Sam. This is a great. Its killing me not to be able to be right there with my friend who has been there for me literally my whole life.... I've got this bookmarked on my phone to keep updated. I love you guys....

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We love you all so much and are praying for you and Nate. He is amazing and we want him to get better real soon so he can start making us all laugh like he always does. Thanks for keeping us updated. We love you Nate!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you Sam for making it possible to keep up on Nate's current condition. Our continued love and prayers to your brother and family.
    Uncle Don

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Sam for helping to keep us all informed. I will let my family know about this blog. We are all praying for Nate and the family. You are all so incredible, thanks again. Oh, is there a certain time that is better than others to come visit, or is it not recommended to visit with him in this current condition?

    FLOYD

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Phillips Phamily is pulling for you Nate. We love and admire Nate beyond words...what a giant of a young man. Thanks, Sam, for the blog. And thanks, Emily, for letting me "bug" you...now I'll use this great blog. We are filled with love for our friends, the Sonntags. We have constant prayers and thoughts of all of you. XO Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nadine....
    Can't wait until you are back to your old self !!! Our family thinks about you tons, and Dana gives me updates. Soooo glad to hear things are better...So nice to get these blogs. Please know how much you are loved...Cindy Buehler Olpin xoxoxo to the fam

    ReplyDelete