RE: transverse myelitis

Firth, Stacy (SAFIRTH(AT)dow.com)
Mon, 9 Mar 1998 15:04:22 -0500

I too had a terrible back pain. I woke up in the middle of the night
(age 18 yrs) with a back ache and took some tylenol. When I woke up in
the morning, my legs were really tingly. I telephoned my mother because
something did not feel right. She came over and helped me down the 13
steps from my apartment and took me into the hospital. The doctor told
me that I had a pinched nerve and sent me home (oh, how I wish he would
have been right). On the way home we stopped for lunch and in the time
it took me to eat, I lost all feeling and control of my body from the
chest down. I had to be carried out of the restaurant by the bus boy.
I was driven back to the hospital and remained there for almost 4
months.

It will be 6 years September 7. Time has flown by and I've made great
progress. I walk with a brace on my right leg and a cane. This is
probably the best I will get but I am VERY thankful!

Hang in there! Best of luck!

Stacy Firth (Bay City, MI)
safirth(AT)dow.com

>----------
>From: Rickie "Dippy" Smotherman[SMTP:Rickie.Smotherman(AT)gte.net]
>Sent: Monday, March 09, 1998 12:51 PM
>To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>Subject: transverse myelitis
>
>I am sending this message in regards to my daughter. On Nov. 11, 1996 she
>was paralized from the waist
>down. She complained of her lower back hurting so I told her to go take a
>hot bath. She went to take the bath
>and when she sat down her legs went numb. I took her to the hospital and
>she was transferred to Childrens
>memorial hospital in Chicago. She was diagnosised with Idiopathic Accut
>Transverse Myelitis. Since then she
>has recovery on right side but very little on left. She is 14, years old
>and a freshman in High School. This was a
>very big shock to us I still don't understand how this could just happen
>for no reason. I am looking for any help
>I can get. I want to make sure I am doing everything possible for my
>daughter. She is now developing scoliosis
>and her left hip flexor is contracted. Doctors have recommended surgury on
>her hip flexors. I have had her to
>many different doctors each doctor has different oppinions on her care.
>Please, any infor that you think could
>help us.
>
>