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I am writing this most unusual, sad story after reading the story about Ron.
I have written in for advice on my husband's bed sore, but I have never
actually shared his story. By the way, thank-you everyone who wrote in with
suggestions. They were very interesting. Right now they are using a special
vacuum machine on him, which seems to be helping.
Now that I got side-tracked, back to my story. In January my 38-year old
husband experienced a grand mal seizure. The next day he was diagnosed as
having a brain tumor. Two weeks later the tumor was removed. We found out five
weeks later that it was cancer. He started chemo at the end of March for the
cancer. Due to unclear instructions and enough chemo pills for two years put
into a bottle to dispense by a certain pharmacy that will go un-named (he only
needed two pills), he inadvertently overdosed. He took 12 pills. He wound up
at U.C.L.A. where he underwent many blood transfusions. They also were giving
him injections to boost different cells in the body, including white blood
cells. They gave him antibiotics and anti-fungals to ward off any infections
as he was vulnerable. He actually made it through everything and didn't even
need a bone marrow transplant. The day before May 2nd, 1998 he noticed that he
had difficulty urinating. even though he had the urge. He woke up in a panic
around 2:30 a.m. and tried to get up to go to the bathroom. He hadn't been up
in several days. He collasped to the floor. The next day his whole body,
especially the upper body felt as if it were on fire. No-one could even touch
him. Fairly quickly, after some tests they figured that he had TM, at T-4. He
has no feeling from the chest down.
He made it through the chemo ordeal, then was sent down to acute rehab and
put on steroids. They took him off the steroids and about two weeks later he
had a recurrence of the TM. He started to lose his sight and feeling in his
arms. It was very scary! He was put on steroids again and now he is on a
steroid taper. He has tried many things, but leg spasms bother him alot,
mostly during the day and at times at night. He transferred to a hospital
closer to home as his condition stablized and he has made great progress in
his rehab. He can transfer into and out of a wheelchair almost by himself! He
has had his ups and downs,but considering what he has been through, his
attitude has been very brave and admirable. We don't know what the future
holds, but he sure is a fighting spirit. One thing that may be encouraging is
that he has been getting anti-clot injections for at least a couple of months
now in his abdomen or his leg because he can't feel them. The other day he
felt the injection in his left abdomen and said "ouch!" He also has had fevers
for the last few weeks. The physiatrist thinks it may be a reaction to taking
tegretol for several months, but they are doing some other tests to see if
they can find the cause of the fevers. Needless to say, this is a complicated,
long story. I wish all of you good luck.
Nancy
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Nancy and Marc,
The both of you demonstrating strong will and a fighting spirit under those
conditions leaves me in awe! Feeling the injection could be signaling a start
on the road to recovery. Marc's positive attitude and the proper medical
treatment will make for a brighter outlook on the future for your family. I
hope they find the cause of his fevers,soon.
Our hearts and prayers go out to you,both.
best regards,
Phil