Kind Regards, Errol in Narangba Qld Australia (and summer is just around the
corner).
-----Original Message-----
From: Doc <doc09(AT)sprintmail.com>
To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com <tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com>
Date: Monday, 09 November, 1998 5:51 PM
Subject: ANNIVERSARY !!
>Hello all:
>
>Well, 17 years and a few hours ago I was sitting at my desk at the
>University of Cincinnati. I had left the University of Nebraska the
>previous December and at the local level things were O.K. On a
>national level I was still very active in the rehabilitation
>profession. Anyway, as I sat there I noticed that both feet were
>tingling. I looked down and found that I had my feet wrapped around
>the base of my chair. I brushed it off, finished my appointments and
>went home. That evening, I noticed that my left leg was numb up to
>my knee. When I went to bed I noticed that the numbness was just
>above my knee. The next morning I felt some numbness in the rectal
>area and a sore spot at the left scapula. That afternoon all
>went......long story posted elsewhere but I will say that I did
>experience improvements for 18 months.
>
>Today, I have had no exacerbation's. I still have marginal control
>of my bowels and bladder and I have a fair amount of spasticity.
>My most significant problem is a central pain syndrome at T4, the
>point of my compression. I have a band and the pain is constant
>(somebody called it punishment by the bra god..which I guess means
>that I'm supposed to know what it feels like to have a bra fit too
>tight ( : - ( ). I take a lot of pain medication and have tried
>acupuncture, massage and magnets and none of them provided me with
>much relief. I do know others that got relief from all three. Until
>two years ago I was walking and my Neuro said that the main reasons I
>walked was because I wanted to. For other reasons than TM, I lost
>both legs, one above and one below the knee in 1996. So like many of
>you with lupus and other ailments, I have the pleasure (yaga) of a
>secondary problem.
>
>I had better stop now or it will begin to start sounding like I'm
>having a pity party for myself. I can say that all of it has made
>me a stronger person. For the newbies in particular I would say,
>keep your faith in yourself and those around you. Keep a positive
>attitude and don't forget to do those exercises. If you don't use
>it you will loose it and I do mean ALL body parts both above and
>below the neck.
>
>I have been with the group since early 1997 and cherish the support
>and input from the group. I have had my picture posted on the tmic
>home page and really wish more people would do it. My wheelchair and
>I will be in Seattle next August and I look forward to meeting you all.
>
>Take care.
>
>Doc
>