My Story
Ronald Wheat (RCWheat(AT)webtv.net)
Sat, 8 Aug 1998 21:02:26 -0500 (CDT)
I don't want to make this lengthy but will share as much as I can
briefly.
In April 1998, I ws admitted to the hospital for pain in my left side.
I had multiple tests which showed that I had polyps on my colon. The
docs then decided to remove 9 ft of my colon and remove the polyps.
Came out of surgery fine and was discharged approx 1 wk later. After
coming home I developed a blood clot to my right lung and left leg. I
was rushed to the hospital via ambulance where the docs inserted a
greenfiield filter in my chest cavity to catch any futture blood clots.
I developed pneumonie while in the hospital and was put on antibiotics.
I again recovered. I cam home and went to the Doctor on a Friday and
he said I was recovering from pneumonia. On Monday, I had experienced a
buring in my back. I went to the docs and they said I had lost 6 pounds
in 2 days and they were concerned about weight loss so they again put me
in hospital. Began regaining my strength in the hospital. On Wednesday
I walked the halls 8 times. On Thursday morning while taking a shower,
my legs buckled and got rubbery legs. My wife called the doctor who met
us at hospital at noon and he said I needed to go home. When we
expressed our concerns about not walking, he said go home and build up
your strength. He said I had lost so much weight I had lost muscle mass
as I had lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks. I went home Thursday afternoon and
tried to walk in my hall but it was very difficult as i had no strength.
On Friday I called the DR to tell him I could not walk and as he was
going on vacation no one returned my call. On Monday my wife took me
back to the Doctor and they again admitted me to hospital for tests.
They did an MRI on Tuesday and the doctors could not diagnose me. My
wife asked for a second opinion as they wanted to go in and do surgery.
She did not want me to have surgery as she is a nurse and knew that what
I was experienceing was not normal. She asked that I be transferred to
Oschners Clinic in New orleans, LA for test. They transported me to
Oschners via ambulance on Wednesday (May 1998) where they diagnosed me
as having TM. I spent 3 weeks at Oschners where they gave me solumedrol
(1,000 for 10 days). I then spent 2 weeks in Rehab. I have TM from T-3
to T-11. After being home or 5 weeks I was beginning to regain
strength in my left leg - could straighten it out and hold it up. I
developed a temp and at the same time it was time for my monthly ck up
at Oschners. After an exam, the Doctors said the TM had returned as
there was a fire that had not been put out. They began solumedrol again
for 8 days. This did not help so they tried chemo. Since that time I
do experience some pain in my back. I am back home going to rehab 3 x
week and I am confined to a wheel chair. I am exercising daily and I
do plan on walking agian!!! I know this is long but I know Teri has
been writing yall and wanted me to tell my Story. I look forward to
hearing from everyone.
RC