Hello..I'm new.
Patricia Joslin (pjoslin(AT)webtv.net)
Fri, 26 Jun 1998 17:24:40 -0400 (EDT)
I'm a nurse and until Sept. 1997 had never heard of TM. Then five days
after my husband and I relocated to our retirement home in NC, 48 hrs
afer playing 18 holes of golf, I developed a low grade fever and
flu-like feeling, became unable to urinate, numbness in the feet,
hyperreflexive, Was fortunate to locate a local physician (we live in
a small town) Who immediately recognized something major was happening
and arranged for me tobe admitted by a neurologist to alarge medical
center within 3 hours. Wish I could say that the magic potion cured
me ( Tm was diagnosed within 24 hrs of admission) but dispite steroids,
huge doses of Iv antibiotics and antivirals, CAT scan, mylogram, MRIs ,
LPs, blood and spinal fluid cultures, arteriogram and a huge infusion
of immunglobulin ( the nurse carrying the IV bag from the pharmacy said
she kept mumbling ...don't trip, don't trip $9000 a dose ) I am
currently a T-5 paraplegic. Spent 15 days in acute care and 6 weeks in
in patient rehab. 4 mo. in out-pt PT and OT. NOreturn of function.
I have a hand cycle I use for aerobic exercise, a Stand-aid (otherwise
known as the iron maiden) that enables me to get in standing position
for an hour or so a day, a rampvan with hand controls that allows me to
drive from my w/c. Self- cath 5x a day, have to get into bed to do
this because of trunk instability and leg spasticity. And then there
is the emotional adjustment which is ongoing some days the pits and
others OK. I've been reading your notes for several weeks now and find
them agreat source of support and information. Thanks guys and gals.
Enough rambling, I'm looking forard to being part of the group.
Pat J