Marathon battle for this brave fighter
A TOWNSVILLE athlete who was struck down by a rare disorder went from pushing his body to the limit to spending months in ICU fighting for his life.
Alfio ‘Fred’ Leonardi had only recently completed the 42-kilometre Paluma Push and a five-kilometre fun run when he called his wife Susan in August saying he would be home early from work.
The pins and needles in his hands and feet that he’d woken up with, were starting to get painful.
When he presented at Townsville University Hospital’s emergency department, Mr Leonardi was initially diagnosed with Guillain-barré syndrome – a rare disorder where the body’s immune system damages nerves.
But the usual treatment didn’t work and soon he couldn’t walk or talk.
Lesions on Mr Leonardi’s back, combined with the pins and needles and his other symptoms, lead treating clinicians down the track of an incredibly rare plasma cell disorder, known as POEMS syndrome.
It was named for the major signs and symptoms of the disease, including polyneuropathy (damage to nerves in the same areas on both sides of the body) which was the first indication something was wrong.
After beginning a course of chemotherapy as treatment, Mr Leonardi was able to leave the ICU after 58 days, stepping down to a medical ward.
Haematologist Dr Joel Wight said POEMS syndrome was so rare that he only knew of two other cases being treated at Townsville University Hospital.
“POEMS syndrome only occurs at an incidence of around one per 300,000-500,000 people and in Fred’s specific case, was a very unusual onset,” Dr Wight said.
“POEMS usually progresses quite slowly, but for Fred his onset of symptoms escalated quickly which means we’re not sure how his recovery will go.”
He said Fred would continue with his chemotherapy and get a stem cell transplant, “which will hopefully eliminate the abnormal cells which cause the illness”.
On the road to recovery, Mr Leonardi paid tribute to the support of medical staff and his wife.
“I’m leaving a great group of people who really got me through a lot of tough stuff. The staff have been marvellous; they’re all cheery and all smiles and lift you up,” he said. “My wife has always been there with a smile on her face and that’s what keeps you going.”