Well, as the subject says, I had a neuro appointment today, got good results
on stuff, but this was mostly a follow up to a review of my spinal MRI done
back in february. The good news is that my spine has "no bone protruding into
the cord, and no signs of spinal cancer." Actually my recovery is going fairly
well, I am back at work on a full-time basis, have full use of my legs, my
bladder is recovering nicely (not as fast as I want but...)
I was told that my walking is now almost indistinguishable from someone who
has not suffered a spinal injury...I guess all the walking I have been doing
paid off.
I want to thank you all for the support, knowledge, and laughs I have found on
the mailing list over the last few months. The list has been a constant
reminder that there are others out there who have gone through this disease,
and that I am not alone in the world. I have also gained the knowledge and
confidence in the disease to talk to others about it who have been recently
diagnosed. The 13 (I think) year old niece of a friend of my grandmothers was
recently diagnosed with TM, and the knowledge my family has gained has been
passed on, with pointers to this list.
Well, thats the pleasant part of the day, now for the surprising news I got
this morning from the neuro. It seems that when I was in the ER some of the
staff there (and in the ward as well) had a hard time accepting that I was
suffering from a serious condition, and not just faking it. The reason these
diagnostic geniuses got this impression (that I might be faking it) was that
apparently I was in too good a mood for them.
My guess is that I trying to deal with the situation (no use of legs, bowel,
or bladder) the only way I could think of, make jokes and distract myself from
it. But, it seems that if someone goes into the hosital I did, with those
symptoms, you are expected to be bitchy and depressed.
I have noticed that there has been some discussion recently about peoples luck
with thir doctors, as far as I am concerned I have the best neurologist and GP
I could hope for. The neurologist doesnt mind saying that he doesnt know the
answer to my question, or doing research on something I present him with
(normally from this list). My GP had never heard of the disease before my
case (no big surprise there) but he has been very supportive, and done what he
can to learn about the condition in the mean time.
I thought I would pick up hte Christopher Reeve book having seen it mentioned
on here. WOW! that was a very painful read for me, it remindedme what I went
through in the hospital, right now my mother has borrowed it so that she can
try to get a bit more understanding what I have had to go through recently. I
hope that Mr. Reeve is able to keep his promise to be walking again in 5
years, that would be so amazing to see.
Well, guess I should sign off now....thanks for letting me bore you all again.
And to the people new to the list, Hi...as has been said, sorry you had to
find us, but you have found a great group of people, the knowledge in this
list is incredible.
Calishar
wishing his fingers would work as well as they never used to.
---Captain Hook died as a result of "Jock Itch"