I just wanted to say I have been enlightened by the postings I have read. I
was 9 when I was paralyzed. I have no idea where on my spinal cord, but I was
totally paralyzed, completely numb, and had no ability to use my bowel or
bladder from my waist down. I was in isolation, only my parents could come
see me and only certain nurses where allowed in my room, besides ALL the
doctors that wanted to come look. I felt like I was on an "isolated display".
I was in the hospital for 6 weeks, had 7 spinal taps (luckily didn't feel one
of them) I was finally allowed to go home, once I was diagnosed. Tranverse
Myelitis was what the doctor told my Mom, also he told her I'd never walk
again. My nerves would never function correctly to allow me to walk. I must
say my pride would not let me use a wheelchair.... I was a dancer. So, I
started dragging myself around the house using the army crawl with my arms
only. My goal were the chocolate chip cookies my Mom made and would sparingly
dole out (two a day, she didn't want me to get fat) I made it my mission to
"seek and destroy" all the cookies! Well......to make a long story short, I
realized when I pulled myself up with my arms to reach the cookies I could
stand with my knees locked. As I got stronger I could walk (knees still
locked, stiff legged) hanging on to everything, to keep my balance. I did all
this when my parents weren't home and one day I decided to show them my
accomplishment. I walked into the den when they were watching TV ........the
look on their faces was one of total disbelief. After they regained their
composure, my Mom rushed me to the doctors office..... I guess they couldn't
believe their eyes.
Well........I got to enroll back into school, that was one of my goals. I
didn't want to go to special classes. My Dad set up my own phsysical therapy,
he had me stetching and doing strenghthening exercises. I did very well
growing up, always tried to keep a positive outlook.
I have never had any pain medication, my bladder is doing great compared to
what I have read here. I can hold it for awhile, but if held to long, I have
an accident. I don't take anything for my bowel movements, they are about
every other day or so. My legs are strong I can walk the whole day thru
amuzement parks, I do now find it easier to walk holding onto
something.........this has occured within the past couple of years. However, I
do have difficulty walking downhill, uphill is easy. With me it is a
conscience effort for every step I take, if I am nervous or upset I have
trouble controlling my feet.
I have never met another person with TM, so I will enjoy reading all the
posts.
Sincerely, Kris