TM recovery?
smews.atl.hp.com ATC-UX SM (root(AT)h3125mbm.atl.hp.com)
Sun, 19 Jan 1997 11:44:21 -0800
Hello my name is Mike Morley. I've been a TM victim for about four months
now. My experience has been very tramatic for both myself and my family but
I wanted to share some good news with the group.
TM hit me over about a 12 hour period. It struck at the C6 level leaving
me with motor, reflex and sensory deficits from the upper chest on down.
My arms worked but my hands did not. I lost my left side first with my
right side seeming to go last. Both bowel and bladder functions also lost.
While in the emergency room I was started on steroids, solumetrol (sp?).
I think that the steriods made a big difference in moderating the damage
to my spinal cord. It took about five weeks before any improvements began
to appear. I have improved in the "last to be affected-first to return"
sequence. My right leg motor and reflex functions came back first with my
right hand following closely behind. Later, (a month or two), my left
leg and hand began a slow improvement. I am now able to walk, with great
difficulty, and have 90% of my right hand and about 60% of my left hand.
My Neuro expected my "returns" to begin centrally and extend outwardly, I
seem to be experiencing the opposite. I still have the "girdle" effect
but I think that it is very slowly beginning to diminish. Most exciting
for me now appears to be the return of bowel and bladder functions.
I am getting "regular" bowel-wise, without "aids"; very big relief. For
the past three days now I have been able to partially empty my bladder in
the normal fashion. I don't know what to expect here but definately have
my fingers crossed. Has anyone else experienced a return of bladder
function? I would sure like to hear about it.
Anyway I have gotten alot back and am very thankfull for it. I know that
each TM victim is unique and that recoveries, if they happen at all, are
quite individual. For those of you who are recent victims, keep your
chins up and don't quit. Not all the news is bad.
I'm returning to work, part-time, tomorrow. Please wish me good luck!
Thinking Positively,
mike m.
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