New lease on life after her ‘terrifying’ illness
OCEAN Grove’s Hannah Portagallo was just 15 years old when she experienced overnight paralysis.
The now 22-year-old describes being at a “peak” in her life when she was struck down with a life-threatening case of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The condition, in which the immune system attacks the nerves, came from nowhere.
“The first symptoms were tingling and numbness in my hands and feet last. It only lasted a day. I went to the footy, then went to bed and woke up feeling a bit weak getting dressed,” she said.
Within 24 hours Ms Portagallo was unable to walk, and on the way into emergency she collapsed.
“It was extremely terrifying. I was perfectly fine and at a peak in my life, I’d just moved to a new school and was really active, doing a lot of sport activities, drama and extra-curricular activities ... The doctors weren’t sure what was wrong,” she said.
A visit from the neurologist following a host of inclusive tests confirmed the teen had Guillain-Barré syndrome, the cause of which is unknown.
As a medical team prepared to transport Ms Portagallo to the Royal Children’s Hospital by road, her condition took yet another turn for the worse. Struggling to breathe, the teenager was placed in an induced coma before being flown to Melbourne.
“They mentioned if I was somewhere else and unable to be put on a ventilator quickly I wouldn’t have made it,” Ms Portagallo said.
A week in a coma and total of three weeks in the intensive care unit followed.
“I was completely paralysed. I could only use my eyes, my whole face was completely gone. I couldn’t talk or use my hands, it was really difficult to communicate,” she said.
“They weren’t sure if I would come out of it ... or if I would ever walk again.”
The 12-month rehabilitation process began at RCH before Ms Portagallo was discharged on crouches to continue outpatient rehab at Geelong’s McKellar Center.
Ms Portagallo recalls the mental challenge of undergoing rehabilitation as a child in an aged-care facility and said the current Bricks4Kids campaign to fund a youth-friendly facility is long overdue.
“It was extremely hard. There was so many moments of wanting to give up,” she said.
“I think the upgrade is definitely necessary for kids to get better and feel confident in their surroundings.”
With the help of staff at Barwon Health, Ms Portagallo was able to return to school and achieve her goal of representing Geelong College in netball and rowing.
The experience has shaped her perspective on life in more way than one.
“It’s made me see life differently. I don’t think I’d be studying psychology without it and it’s made me appreciate every day things like exercise and talking.”
To support the Bricks4Kids Campaign visit bricks4kids.org.au or call 4215 8900