Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast – Episode Summary: Case #25: Trent (Pt. 1)

Podcast Information

• Title: Symptomatic: A Medical Mystery Podcast
• Host: Lauren Wright Pacheco
• Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: Symptomatic delves into the perplexing medical mysteries faced by individuals, exploring their journey from the onset of baffling symptoms to the pursuit of a definitive diagnosis. Hosted by Lauren Wright Pacheco, each episode unravels the challenges and triumphs of those grappling with chronic illnesses that remain elusive even to medical professionals.

Episode Overview

• Episode Title: Case #25: Trent (Pt. 1)
• Release Date: December 17, 2024

This episode chronicles the harrowing experience of Trent Fielder, an insurance appraiser whose life takes an unexpected turn when he battles a mysterious and debilitating illness. Through Trent's story, the podcast highlights the emotional and physical toll of chronic illness on both the patient and their family.

1. Introducing Trent Fielder

Trent Fielder is portrayed as a dedicated family man with a strong foundation in faith and a loyal service dog named Gunner. His career as an insurance appraiser involves extensive fieldwork, which he passionately enjoys.

• Lauren Wright Pacheco [00:52]: "Trent Fielder, a seasoned insurance appraiser with a knack for problem solving, centers his life around his family, deep rooted faith and his service dog, Gunner, a loyal Labrador retriever."

Trent's Profession and Passion

• Trent Fielder [02:04]: "I supervised auto appraisers for an insurance company. So I had the best job ever. I loved it." [02:04]

2. Personal Struggles and Finding Love

After the tragic loss of his first wife, Trent navigates a tumultuous emotional landscape with the support of his mother and sister. This period of vulnerability leads him to meet Nicole Fielder, marking a significant turn in his personal life.

• Trent Fielder [02:22]: "I had a discussion with my mom... my sister had shown up... we went to breakfast." [02:22]

• Nicole Fielder [02:45]: "It was a breakfast place called the First Watch..." [02:45]

Meeting Nicole

Their first encounter at a fast-paced breakfast restaurant sets the stage for their relationship. Nicole's proactive approach leads her to reach out to Trent after their initial meeting, sparking a connection that eventually leads to marriage.

3. Unexpected Pregnancy Complications

Trent and Nicole's joy multiplies as they expect twins. However, the pregnancy is fraught with complications, putting both babies and Nicole at risk.

• Trent Fielder [05:20]: "We went from the joyous moving along the process to suddenly realizing something was wrong..." [05:20]

Birth and NICU Challenges

Logan, born premature at 2 pounds 5 ounces, and Nevaeh, at 3 pounds 11 ounces, spend their initial months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), intensifying the family's stress and emotional strain.

4. Onset of Mysterious Symptoms

Months after the birth of his twins, Trent begins experiencing inexplicable symptoms that disrupt his daily life and work.

• Trent Fielder [07:05]: "December 16, 2011, was the day that everything went south for good..." [07:05]

Emergency Incident

While working on an estimate for a Toyota Camry, Trent finds himself trapped beneath the vehicle, struggling to free himself due to sudden muscle weakness and loss of control.

• Trent Fielder [07:37]: "I couldn't move my arms the way I needed to... I was stuck under there." [07:37]

5. Initial Medical Response and Diagnosis

Despite initial attempts to attribute his symptoms to exhaustion, Nicole's insistence leads Trent to seek medical attention, revealing the severity of his condition.

• Trent Fielder [08:07]: "I just thought I was tired... Nicole said, this is not exhaustion." [08:07]

Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Trent is diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder causing muscle weakness and paralysis. Multiple neurologists concur with this rare diagnosis, highlighting the uncertainty and rarity of his condition.

• Trent Fielder [11:12]: "Diagnosed him with Guillain Barre syndrome, or GBS..." [11:12]

Nicole's Perspective

Nicole shares the devastating prognosis given by doctors, anticipating Trent's decline within two months.

• Nicole Fielder [11:34]: "They told us... I would be a widow in about two months." [11:34]

• Nicole Fielder [11:48]: "I just cried for about 30 seconds... putting my big girl pants in." [11:48]

6. Intensive Treatments and Hospitalization

Trent's condition deteriorates, leading to paralysis from the waist down and respiratory complications. Medical interventions include steroids, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to stabilize his immune system.

• Trent Fielder [12:58]: "The steroids did one good thing. They kept my lungs functioning." [12:58]

Transfer to Rehabilitation

After stabilizing his breathing, Trent is moved to a rehab hospital to regain strength, marking the beginning of a grueling recovery process.

• Lauren Wright Pacheco [13:26]: "Doctors worked to stabilize him with treatments like plasmapheresis and ivig..." [13:26]

7. Emotional and Physical Struggles

Trent grapples with the loss of mobility and the overwhelming fear of an uncertain future. Nicole manages the household and cares for their newborn twins, adding to the family's emotional burden.

• Trent Fielder [16:15]: "I was overwhelmed... my focus was on what I'd lost." [16:15]

Support System

Moving back to Texas to be closer to family provides some relief, but the sudden death of Trent's father shortly after the move intensifies their grief and challenges.

• Trent Fielder [19:37]: "And literally the first day we moved back to Texas, the next day my father died." [19:37]

8. Rehabilitation and Hope through Family

A pivotal moment occurs when Trent's physical therapist involves his children in his strength-building routine. Observing his son Logan's progress inspires Trent and reinforces the bond between father and child.

• Trent Fielder [20:22]: "Logan was laying next to me... it gave me such an inspiring view..." [20:22]

• Lauren Wright Pacheco [21:46]: "He told me that you are his hero. He is also my hero." [21:46]

9. Re-Diagnosis to Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

As Trent's symptoms persist beyond the typical course of GBS, his diagnosis is updated to CIDP, a chronic autoimmune disorder. This re-diagnosis brings new challenges and treatment protocols.

• Trent Fielder [23:31]: "They corrected Trent's diagnosis to CIDP." [23:31]

Understanding CIDP

CIDP involves the immune system attacking the myelin sheath of nerves, leading to prolonged and potentially relapsing symptoms. Trent describes the condition as his body "constantly attacking itself," paralleling his initial GBS diagnosis.

• Trent Fielder [24:17]: "Your nerves have a covering... the body is attacking that myelin sheath..." [24:17]

10. Facing Surgical Complications and Future Uncertainty

As Trent undergoes an experimental spinal implant surgery to mitigate CIDP symptoms, complications arise, leading to further health crises and a grim prognosis. The episode concludes with a teaser for the continuation of Trent's story.

• Trent Fielder [26:52]: "In the surgery... he ended up cutting into my T10 vertebra." [26:52]

• Lauren Wright Pacheco [27:46]: "On next week's season finale of Symptomatic, we continue Trent's story..." [27:46]

Key Takeaways

• Unpredictability of Chronic Illness: Trent's journey underscores the sudden and severe impact chronic illnesses can have, disrupting not only the patient's life but also affecting their family's emotional and physical well-being.

• Importance of Support Systems: Nicole's unwavering support and the involvement of family members play a crucial role in Trent's resilience and pursuit of recovery.

• Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment: The rarity and complexity of conditions like GBS and CIDP highlight the difficulties patients face in obtaining accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

• Emotional Resilience: Trent's determination to overcome his debilitating condition, inspired by his relationship with his children, exemplifies the human spirit's capacity to find hope amidst adversity.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Trent Fielder [00:08]: "I couldn't move my arms the way I needed to. My head was kind of like a bobblehead." [00:08]

• Nicole Fielder [02:25]: "It was a breakfast place called the First Watch..." [02:25]

• Trent Fielder [07:05]: "December 16, 2011, was the day that everything went south for good." [07:05]

• Nicole Fielder [11:34]: "They told us... I would be a widow in about two months." [11:34]

• Trent Fielder [13:46]: "I saw Nicole right before... she was wiping her eyes as she was going." [13:46]

• Trent Fielder [21:10]: "My strength comes from you, bud." [21:10]

Conclusion

Case #25: Trent (Pt. 1) offers a compelling narrative of resilience in the face of medical adversity. Through Trent's story, Symptomatic sheds light on the profound challenges posed by rare chronic illnesses and the unwavering strength required to navigate them. The episode sets the stage for continued exploration of Trent's journey towards recovery and hope in subsequent parts.