When her 13-year-old son suddenly lost movement in his legs, JoVin Hui faced a frightening search for answers. In a Facebook post shared in the parenting group 怀孕哺乳育儿交流站, she recounts how the family sought specialist care in Kuala Lumpur and how her son began to recover.
At first, it was back pain and numbness in his legs. Within three days, JoVin Hui’s 13-year-old son could no longer go to the bathroom by himself.
“I experienced the darkest moment of my life,” Hui wrote in a Facebook post about the ordeal.
She rushed him to a private hospital in Johor Bahru. After an MRI, the family was told doctors suspected a spinal tumour pressing on a nerve and that surgery might be needed. Hui said they were warned that the operation carried a risk of paralysis. The doctor advised them to seek care at another hospital.
At a government hospital, doctors concluded that it was not a tumour, Hui wrote, but the cause of her son’s symptoms was still unclear. He received steroid injections over the next week. Meanwhile, his condition worsened: he lost sensation in his feet and became unable to move his legs.
A Search for Answers in Kuala Lumpur
A senior therapist urged Hui not to lose time and suggested seeking further assessment in Kuala Lumpur. The family contacted University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), where they met paediatric neurologist Dr Lim Wei Kang.
Hui recalls feeling reassured by Dr Lim’s warm manner. After reviewing her son’s records and MRI images, he arranged intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment, according to her account.
Then came a first sign of change. After two days of treatment, Hui said, her son was able to move his toes.
After leaving hospital, he stood with the help of a walker. With physiotherapy, Hui wrote, he was walking on his own within two weeks.
Understanding the Diagnosis
Hui said her son was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis, a condition involving inflammation of the spinal cord. Symptoms and recovery can vary, and her family’s experience should not be taken as a guide to what will happen in other cases.
For Hui, the ordeal was also shaped by the people who helped her navigate it. She praised Dr Lim for helping with hospital procedures and insurance correspondence and for checking on her son during his admission. Those gestures, she wrote, brought comfort during an uncertain time.
Sudden weakness, numbness or difficulty walking in a child needs urgent medical attention. Families can ask their care team to explain the suspected diagnosis, the reason for recommended treatment and whether further specialist assessment is appropriate.
Source note: This article is based on a personal account shared by JoVin Hui in the Facebook group 怀孕哺乳育儿交流站. The medical details and recovery timeline have not been independently verified.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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