Gatineau woman stuck in Greece with sudden illness

A Gatineau woman who went to Greece for a martial arts convention is nowunable to come home after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barr Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

Mlanie Bergeron Mc Andrew and her karate classmates from the Masson-Angers region wanted to take a cruise to the Greek islands after the World Kobudo Federation's World Martial Arts Convention in Athens.

Her health began to deteriorate after the event, but the situation was not yet alarming.

"With [the visit to] the Acropolis, plus the time change, plus the three-day training, it's normal that we're all a bit tired," BergeronMc Andrew'skarate instructor, MikeLeclair, told Radio-Canada in French.

While onthe cruise ship for her 35th birthday last Wednesday, the pain took overto such an extent that she had to travel in a wheelchair.

The ship's doctor had to give herpainkillers.

Treatment doesn't appear to be working, family says

6 years ago

Duration 0:24

After several days of treatment, doctors can't confirm if McAndrew is doing any better, said stepmother Carole Quenneville.

Immune system condition

The next day, BergeronMc Andrew went to a hospital on the island of Rhodes for a more complete diagnosis.

Doctors said she has Guillain-Barr Syndrome, a condition that causes the immune system to attackthe peripheral nerves of the body.

The cause is unknown and there is no cure, though treatment can help with symptoms such as severe pain and difficulty breathing or walking.

"She was forbidden to go back on the cruise shipbecause it was not good for her health She was taken to Rhodes because her lungs are affected and she can't fly," Leclair said.

Her mother flew to Athens on Sunday to be at her daughter's bedside, according toBergeronMc Andrew'sfriendGrace Sills.

Not only does her mother, LucieBergeron,have trouble communicating with her daughter , but also with the medical staffbecause of the language barrier.

Sills said her condition in hospital has not improved and she is in serious pain.

Campaign for Mlanie

Sills launched a GoFundMe campaign online to raise funds forBergeronMc Andrew'smother to be with her in Greece.

"It's hard not be there but I raise money. That's the best I can do. For sure, if the situation is getting worse I'm going to take the first flight and I'm going to be there," Sill said Sunday.

"I knowMlanie. She's a really strong woman."

As of Sunday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $12,000.

'She's all alone'

6 years ago

Duration 0:22

McAndrew's karate instructor, Mike Leclair, hopes she'll be stable enough to come home by Friday.