My doctors in the local hospital where I was taken after sudden onset of paralysis, with no traumatic injury involved and no apparent disease process, told me that I would have five years tops. I was paralyzed from neck down at that point. I knew nothing about spinal shock, nor did they apparently. After two weeks it became evident that I would have some upper body function. My diagnosis was still months ahead, but they did not change their prognosis. I am past that five-year mark, and still experiencing neurological improvement--truly against all odds! Yes, I could have died from several crises during that time, and still feel very vulnerable because of the immune suppression which is the primary "treatment" (management of symptoms) for my disease that caused the paralysis. But I am definitely not out of the game!