2 weeks Ago By Demetria Osei-Tutu
Emily Willis, who is potentially suffering from lock-in syndrome, could recover fully or in some capacity even though it's a small chance . The former adult star suffered a cardiac arrest in February that lead her to a coma. Since the last update in May from her GoFundMe made by her family , she has shown "some signs of responsiveness like eye tracking but is still unable to communicate.
" That update came after, her stepfather told TMZ in March that she was awake and showing other positive signs such as being emotional in conversation as well as eye-tracking. Previously doctors and a board certified health expert The Mirror spoke with, have said Emily's condition resembles locked-in syndrome . The board certified health expert shared with The Mirror that while "most survivors of the lock-in syndrome remain chronically locked- in or severely impaired,” there are examples of people recovering from the condition fully and partially.
Former adult star Emily Willis may not 'walk again independently,' doctor says Former adult star Emily Willis weighed just 80lbs when she entered rehab before heart attack put her in coma "The numbers vary depending on the study but full recovery can be seen in about 1/20 patients." the doctor said, while adding that t he numbers of people with "some good functional recovery or partial recovery" like regaining some motor function or movement over time is estimated around to 20-25%. The doctor went on to say "recovery varies" especially in on the prognosis, age and the rehabilitation.
"Best prognosis in people who have locked-in syndrome is from more reversible causes, such as, infection, demyelination or nervous system disorders, or trauma vs other less reversible reasons like stroke or brain hemorrhages (vascular reasons)," they explained. "Younger age has a better outlook, and aggressive physical rehabilitation as soon as possible with physical, occupational, and speech therapy helps with recovery," the doctor continued. They went on to say that some patient have a possibility of regaining independence in certain daily activities "including ability to eat by mouth and even speech" but the speech "may be dysarthric or slurred.
" They added the length of recovery is "hard to estimate" but for those that survive and begin aggressive rehabilitation, recovery can happen as "as soon as 3 to 6 months." The doctor reiterated the importance of physical therapy, including speech therapy. They mentioned how within the therapy, a patient can be train to say yes and no with their eyes by blinking.
The doctor further emphasized if Emily has locked-in syndrome, going to a specialized rehab center for that condition is important, as they will have "specialized physical, occupation and speech therapy." Locked-in syndrome is a rare neurological condition where the body has a near total paralysis except the eyes because of damage to the brainstem. The health expert added that near total paralysis means your voluntary muscles don't work" but "you still are conscious, so your higher brain function is spared.
" There’s three types of locked-in syndrome: classic, incomplete and complete (total). They all are varying degrees and range of movement one can have from respectively being conscious but can’t move face to eye tracking and some sensation in limbs to total paralysis including eye movements. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.
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