Larry, So glad you have found this list. Our family is only a little over a year into TM, we have never met anyone with TM, but I am sure glad for this list so that I understand what my son is going through a little better. The people on this list have given me a lot of answers to questions that even the doctors don't "get". I truely hope that my son will sound like you in 24 years and realize the importance and significance of the things that he has, and not dwell on the things that he doesn't have. He has been a trooper so far, and is wise beyond his years (15) because of this disease. He has become a more compassionate person because of it, I only pray that bitterness does not take over. I am glad that it did not for you. Hang in there and keep the good attitude vibes coming our way. This list is lucky you have found us! Judi
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> From: Larry Throne <lbthrone(AT)hotmail.com>
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Cc: cptskipy(AT)chickasaw.com
> Subject: Twenty four years ago today
> Date: Sunday, September 27, 1998 6:58 PM
>
> I had been working for a construction company for just a couple of
> months. I was eighteen and it was my first really good job. We were
> building a power plant in southeastern Oklahoma, they were behind
> schedual and had us working seven days a week, twelve hours a day. I
> was young, healthy and making good money. I thought I had nothing to
> worry about.
> It had been a wet rainy summer and everyone on the crew had been
> fighting a summer flu, I was just beginning to feel the aches and pains
> on friday morning when I went to work. (hmmm) On saturday, I just felt
> terrible. My head was pounding, i had no energy and I was perspiring
> profusely. I went on to work but shortly after lunch I had a fainting
> spell. My boss sent me home. I went to bed at 2:00 pm and slept
> straight through to sunday afternoon when my father came in to check on
> me. It was after 5:00 pm. When I awoke, I couldn't urinate, my bladder
> was distended and I had a fever. Dad took me to the E.R. and I was
> catheterized. The ER doctor sent home and told to return the next day
> for testing.
> The next morning our family Doctor was calling , he had talked with the
> E.R. doc and was concerned, he wanted me there at the hospital asap.
> Over the next 24 hours everyone at the hospital in Ada Oklahoma had
> poked, proded and examined me, I think the janitor even had his turn.
> They did a spinal tap (those sure are nice aren't they!) When I woke up
> the second day, I was paralized from the wiast down.
> I was transfered to Oklahoma City, St Antony Hospital. In the next 4
> weeks, I went from being a strapping 190lb construction worker to a
> 130lb paraplegic.
> The first week or two, I was really sick. My fever got so high they
> packed me in ice to attempt to break it.
> I remember coming in & out of a coma and the pain was unbearable. It
> felt as though a spike was being shoved up my spine. Luckily I don't
> remember everything from that period. Everything was getting dark and I
> remember telling my brother something was sitting on my chest. I just
> couldn't breath. I vaugely remember having the respirator place on me,
> I remember the fear I had of not knowing what was happening, and not
> being able to see or speak.
> Late that night, an overwelming feeling of comfort and reassurance came
> over me, it was God telling me to trust in him and everything would be
> okay.
> I was totally blind and on a respirator for the next 10 - 12 days. Then
> one day there was a flicker of light! For the next 4 days, as if a
> large hand were drawing back a curtain, I was getting my sight back, I
> remember focussing on my mother, she was so, happy and worried at the
> same time.
> The paralisis started moving back down my chest, They took me off the
> resirator & eventually the paralisis stopped at T-5.
> I had been in the hospital for almsot 4 weeks before I heard anything
> about TM, a doctor from Mayo clinic was visiting ST Antony and he Dx the
> TM. I never did get his name, nor do I remember seeing him.
> The next year was filled with endless hours in PT with little spurts of
> progress like the time I first moved my big toe. You would have thought
> I'd jumped up and danced a jig the way we were acting.
> That was the start.
> In the next year (year 2), I went from walking with leg braces up to my
> chest to walking with a single cane. I still have the leg spasms, lack
> of complete sensation & the back pain some of you have, also my bladder
> control could be better. But hey, I'll take anything I can get!
> Ten years after I was Dx with TM, I was in a airplane crash,(whole
> nuther story by itself), I cracked my pelvis and broke some other bones.
> That has really slowed me down. While in the hospital over that episode
> my doc showed me x-rays of my knees. I was wearing them out by locking
> them back to walk. He told me if I want to keep walking, I had better
> start riding in my chair, at least for when I go for long distance
> walks.
> A couple of years ago I fell down and almost ripped the cartilage in
> one of my knees. Once again, my doc told me to take it easier on my
> knees. Today, I use my chair more than I ever have. Only walking
> around the house and taking real close eye on how I do things. I also
> suffer from the fatique some of you have complained about. Its makes
> life hard when you feel like your running on empty all the time.
> Today, I'm married to a wonderful girl and we have two children and
> two grand children. I manage a mental health clinic specializing in
> working with children and families with emotional problems. I am
> working on a second masters degree at the University of Oklahoma.
> (social work)
> In the past 24 years I have traveled over most of this country and to
> many different countries around the world. Sailing has been my release
> valve, I have sailed at most of the locations i have traveled to.
> I have taught sailing to over 100 people including 29 emotionally
> disturbed kids I taught last summer. It was great!
> I have had plenty of bad times and good times. I'v been able to go on
> with life. TM has slowed me down a little but I'm probably a richer
> person because of it. I'v learned to enjoy and appriciate what is in
> front of me. I see the the beauty of the smallest flowers as I'v
> struggled past them, when most never notice. I'v smelled the fragance
> of the spring days, warmth the of the summer sun, & the sting of a
> winters breeze & understood the significance of it all.
> Its been a long lonely trail, in the past 24 years I have only met,
> conversed or heard of only about 10 or 11 people with TM. Finding this
> group has has given me a since of belonging. I feel as though i'v found
> my family. Only you guys can fully understand the fears, frustrations,
> and yes, the fortunes of having this disorder. It is great to have
> found my home.
> Larry Throne
>
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