Elbow Scratch
CYRILOS(AT)aol.com
Tue, 29 Sep 1998 00:36:06 EDT
This is my first communication with the TM alliance. To say the least i was
overwhelmed by both Larry's story and Errol's proclamation of another
accomplishment in the road to improvement. Be these stories of anatomical
growth or mental acclimatizations to their maladies by changing their
approaches to what life has available to us all; i am impressed and often ask
why it is that when the spirit is challenged so deeply as with TM
humans......or the gentleman blinded totally at age 12, who taught my two
teens how to Water Ski this summer at Lake George, NY!.........only then does
the power of the human creation show glowingly.
When i hear of others, i often feel my problems are merely a 'scratch on the
ole elbow' in comparison. However: i was dx with acute encephalomyelitis/
transverse militias 3/97. The lesion was at the T5 T6 level with paralysis
from approximately the 5th rib down all except below my right knee, including
bowel and bladder. Most of my bowel returned in one week and sensory returned
in 3 months. A 4 legged walker carried me for 8 months and a cane for another
6. My gait is now very guarded but my therapy continues to sloooooooowly
progress, fortunately when i plateau for 2 or 3 weeks, a simple reflection on
where i was 1 month earlier spurs me on.
The greatest therapy has been that of my children and my wife with whom i was
married only three months prior to my succumbing to TM [little bugger just
snuck right up on me jest as my life was spinning upward]. This communication
is to find someone else that might share or have shared some of my current
symptoms.
After 1 year and 5 months, i walk cautiously without a cane, unless suspecting
to stand for a long time, e.g., perusing a book store, when i will then use a
cane unless i may use the shoulder of a family member or friend. I still am
without bladder function.
Just this past week was able to drive my standard transmission Subarea, Boy
what a blast after a year and a half, next 3 days my gluteus maximi WOW
.........the PAIN felt sooo good as i reflected on what it was in payment for!
The walking without a Cane, i.e., an obvious gait returning, manifested itself
once i was able to ride a non-stationary bike and was able to straddle a foam
noodle in the deep end of a pool and take giant steps, so to speak. I've
learned to say no, if being a workaholic is what brought me here, i have
learned to say 'no' to much that was ridiculous, but drive continuously toward
my ultimate recovery with a far more appreciative and rewarding relationship
with my family during the process.
If anyone out there can relate, please reply Thanks for the Forum,
Cyril M