Update: 12/28/21
From Rita Jones – Please forgive my delay in sending this update. Let me begin by saying the support and love shown by your family and the Dunwoody community set Victor, Renee and Victoria up for a secure transition to their new normal. Victor is thriving. He regained limited use of his hands while at Shepherd, and was able to return home in late June. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, their house was modified so that Victor could have full use of the lower level of their home. Shepherd did not have availability for outpatient therapy so he began therapy at a facility near his home. Over the next couple of months, Victor gained full use of his upper body. He also began to start feeling nerve pain in his lower extremities, and was able to move and raise his legs. Over time, he was progressing at a rate that prompted his therapists to stand him up so he could get used to the weight of his body while standing. Naturally, we were all thrilled with his progress. By the of September/early October, Victor was cycling for small amounts of time. At home, it was not uncommon to visit and find him pushing a broom or vacuum cleaner form his chair, or doing a load of laundry. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle when his leg slid off of the leg rest. He could not feel that it slid off when exiting a room in his motorized chair. He was discouraged for a few hours, but his positive outlook came roaring back. He was in a cast for a while, but is now wearing an orthopedic boot. Thankfully, he is still able to participate in therapy sessions. Victor continues to embrace life while fighting to regain full use of his lower body. His brother takes him to the gym. He resumed the majority of his chores, and is not shy about having others do what he can’t. Wednesday, he participated in a holiday luncheon at Vanderlyn. He was deeply moved by the staff’s reaction as they didn’t know he was coming. Yesterday, he was able to dine at a restaurant for the first time this year. Things are definitely looking up despite the minor setback. I’m sharing a few pics and videos. They are not the best quality so I hope they come through.
I will send another update within the next few months.
Thanks!
Rita
Original Post: 5/11/2021
Many of you know Victor (Vic) Shumate as a dedicated, hardworking and caring person. He always made himself available to anyone who needed his help and he never met a stranger. Today, Victor needs us. 2020 was an overwhelming year for everyone! The “new normal” meant we lived our lives by missing family gatherings, altered work schedules and finding new ways to entertain our families. In November, the Shumates were hit with the one fear they had been protecting themselves against, COVID. Thanksgiving Day last year was spent waiting for their COVID results. Victor, his wife and daughter all tested positive for COVID the following day. Eventually, after four days in the hospital for Victoria who had breathing issues from COVID, everyone recovered and life returned to their new normal. However, in late January 2021, Victor began to feel coldness and numbness in his feet that began to travel up his legs. Preliminary doctor visits, led to appointments with a podiatrist and urologist. Meanwhile, his ability to walk was fading fast and he had to begin using a cane to walk.
On February 3, 2021, and after his 11th fall at home, Victor was hospitalized due to the numbing with minimal use of his legs. Many tests were run, biopsies conducted, blood drawn, and clinical trials evaluated to determine what was causing Victor to lose the ability to walk and the paralysis that began traveling up his body. He also lost the ability to use his hands and arms. Tests determined that Victor had inflammation around a part of his spine and he was diagnosed with COVID induced myelopathy, a nervous system disorder that attacked his spine. To address the inflammation, his doctors ordered several treatments. The treatments included high doses of steroids that caused his blood sugar to spike so he had to begin taking insulin. Another treatment included seven rounds of plasmapheresis that entailed Victor having to lay in one spot for three hours at a time while his plasma was run through a cleaning process. The last treatment involved several rounds of a mild form of chemotherapy. None of these treatments were successful and three months later it’s still unknown why this sudden change has occurred in Victor’s health. The doctors called him a mystery and even sent his test results to the Mayo Clinic for answers. ALL TESTS CAME BACK NORMAL, yet he continues to be paralyzed in a quadriplegic state.
This traumatic event has impacted Victor and his family resulting in long term hospitalization (three months and counting) and time away from his family, friends and co-workers at Vanderlyn Elementary. He now depends on a team of medical professionals to provide medical care and basic everyday care like drinking a glass of water. Through it all, Victor has remained in good spirits with prayers and calls from his extended family, friends and co-workers. Our goal now is to do more by combining our work and faith in God on behalf of Victor.
In support of Victor, we are hitting the pavement by organizing a virtual VICtory Walk fundraiser. Family, friends and supporters are asked to get active by logging the steps/miles you walk, jog or run beginning May 16th through May 22nd. There are no set rules to determine what you give as every amount is deeply appreciated. We just ask that you log your steps/miles on your smart device or pedometer. Donations can be made via the following platforms:
CashApp $Famisit
Venmo @Rita-Jones-50
Zelle 404-550-5198
PayPal @VictoryWalk
Your support will be used to help make the home modifications needed for Victor to be able to safely return home, as well his continued medical care. At the end of the week, we will announce the person that walked the furthest and the total amount raised. Please be sure to post pictures and include the hashtag #VICtoryWalk #Philippians4:13 during the week of May 16th through May 22nd at https://fb.me/e/28HwmMinN.
Please accept our humblest thanks for your partnership, friendship & love. Every step taken is a VICtory step for Victor, Renee and Victoria. If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to itsafamilyaffair2021@gmail.com.
