LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers showed their support on Monday night for Freddie Freeman with #MaxStrong shirts as he returned to the team following a rare diagnosis for his 3-year-old son Max.
“I’m back," he said before the Dodgers' 5-3 victory, "so that means good things are happening at the Freeman home.”
Freeman's wife Chelsea posted on social media over the weekend that the family had returned home after Max spent eight days in the pediatric ICU.
She'd first explained in an Instagram post that Max's health "rapidly declined" and sent his body into full paralysis. The diagnosis caused the former Braves first baseman to pick up his belongings on a road trip in Houston and immediately fly back home.
Chelsea revealed that after numerous tests, it was discovered that 3-year-old Max is battling a "severe case" of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré is a very rare medical condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves and can cause paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is even rarer in children.
"We are very fortunate to have gotten him to the hospital in time so they could reinforce his lungs," Chelsea said in the post, adding, "These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives. Maximus is such a special boy, and he has been fighting SO hard. This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed."
Max had his breathing tube removed and was taken off the ventilator on Wednesday, his mom said.
In a Sunday Instagram update, Chelsea said Max was discharged, and the family is now home together. The 3-year-old still has a long road ahead of him in terms of regaining his strength and relearning how to walk.
Freddie meanwhile returned to action with the Dodgers on Monday night.
He received a standing ovation in his first at-bat. The Phillies joined the applause from their dugout. The pitch clock was stopped as he stepped out of the batter's box, removed his helmet and waved to the crowd, then touched his right hand to his heart.
“It means a lot that the Phillies were respectful of that situation,” Freeman said. “I wasn't expecting it, but very much appreciated from the Dodgers fans. They made it really hard to hit in that first at-bat, but that's a good thing.”
The crowd chanted “Freddie! Freddie!” before Freeman singled in the third.
What is Guillain Barré syndrome?
Guillain Barré syndrome usually begins with tingling and weakness starting in the feet and legs and progressively spreads to the upper body, including the arms and legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. After that, paralysis can occur.
Special blood treatments can help with symptoms, and physical therapy is necessary.
The Mayo Clinic said that the exact cause of someone getting the disease is unknown, but that two-thirds of people have symptoms of an infection up to six weeks before Guillain Barré symptoms actually begin.
To read more about the disease, click here.
