Mary Droll
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy Experience
Mary Droll is always on the move. A long-term care nurse for the past decade, passionate seamstress and dedicated mother and grandmother, Mary is constantly working to help others – often through her own pain. For many years, Mary has experienced muscle weakness and has worn leg braces. She assumed this was a side effect of medications used to treat her Crohn’s disease. However, when the weakness started to spread to her fingers, she knew something more was to blame.
Mary was referred from her family physician to Dr. Anibal Lugo of the Neurosurgical Associates of Northwest Ohio. After meeting with Mary and reviewing EMG results, Dr. Lugo concluded she suffered from Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), a rare condition where a person’s immune system attacks multiple nerves affecting motor skills. “Dr. Lugo called me at 7:30 p.m. on a Thursday night to share the news,” Mary explained. “From there we worked to form a plan to get me moving.”
At the time of her diagnosis, Mary’s mobility was severely affected. “I thought disability was imminent,” Mary said. But an infusion therapy treatment called intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has changed Mary’s outlook on life. She began receiving the treatment, which is delivered by an IV drip, at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center five days a week, every four weeks. Her treatment schedule has continued to be adjusted to meet her needs – with the goal of needing as few treatments per month as possible to maintain Mary’s mobility. “My goal is one day every other week or even one day per month,” Mary said.
Under Dr. Lugo’s care, the IVIG treatment has made a resounding difference in Mary’s life. “A year ago, I couldn’t do a quarter mile on my elliptical, but how I can do three quarters of a mile with resistance. I’ve also joined a gym and started strength training. I’ve even made it one minute doing planks!” Mary explained. Her next goal is to continue improving her fitness and begin running – an activity that never crossed her mind a year ago.
She credits much of the success of her treatment to Dr. Lugo. “I would definitely recommend him,” she said. “He truly cares, and we can talk about anything. The improvements I’ve seen are enough to keep me functioning and get me back to the activities I truly enjoy. My outlook has changed. This treatment has improved my quality of life.”