answers :
#1
First, be thankful he is in rehab. Half of the folks who get this disease go downhill and don't come back. My father was stricken back in 1987, and was debilitated in a matter of days. He was still a distance runner at age 58, and once he became ill, wasted away to almost nothing, unable to get out of a chair. The road back was long, but his determination and our support got him through. Lots of prayer and work and he was back walking in about six months. He has resumed his former activity level, but it took a couple of years to overcome the damage done to his body. I'll be praying for you guys if that is all right. Keep on the positive, and never stop working toward recovery!. Source : Personal experience.
#2
My father in law suffers from this--He was diagnosed 2 yrs ago, after suffering from what we thought was the flu, after 4 weeks in the mayo clinic in Rochester, he was diagnosed with GBS--he suffered paralysis from the waist up.--Recovery is a long slow process--after 2 yrs my father in law only has about 35% movement back in both arms, he still cannot drive, he has to sleep sitting up, he can raise his arms up above his head now, but cannot grasp small items (silverware, a glass, toothbrush, etc..)--We have been told, that he will never recover 100%, but slowly and I mean slowly overtime may get himself up to 70% maybe a little better, but he will never be 100%--So good luck to all of you and God Bless!
#3
GBS usually causes loss in movement in the extremeties and this may have a viral infection background to it. I would suspect the underlying cause or viral infection may play a valid role in how well a person recovers.
GBS in your fathers case sounds more like CIPD or "chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy demylation". What happens in this particular form of GBS is the mylan sheath that is resposible for protecting the nerve endings is being eaten away. The etiology or pathogen is usually a latent viral infection that has reactivated and is now affecting his CNS system.
Age also plays a role. The older a person is, the less chance of a full recovery.
Treatment usually consists of a form of I.V. therapy through a port. Gamma globulin may help GBS sufferers, however, sometimes not.
I do wish you guys all the luck and prayers are being sent!