You and I have very similar stories. I'll
send you mine in an off-tmic note (most or
at least many of the other TM'ers have seen
it.) That raises the possibility that we
have the same original cause. Ask your
neurologist if your symptom details were
consistent with a spinal infarction. It is
important because (unlike the people with
viral causalities who are unlikely to have
another TM attack) a stroke can happen again,
and it can happen anywhere, e.g. the brain or
heart. If you are at risk for stroke, you can
take precautions to lessen your risk.
There is a certain arrogance in reading a one
page note and giving advice, but I'm never
bashful (although sometimes full of B.S.)
I would guess that you **can get out** of that
wheelchair. The key is exercise, not PT. And
it isn't casual exercise; it is punishing,
determined exercise for months.
Take the foot rests off and use your legs to
push and pull yourself around the house and
work. Get some ankle weights and work on the
quads. (If you cannot buy weights, put two
cans of vegetables in a plastic bag and tie
the bag to have separate weights draped across
your feet/ankles, one leg at at time.) Face a
wall, lock the brakes, and push away (i.e.
tilt with caution) from the wall with your
toes for plantarflection [sp?]. Lie in bed on
your side and do sidewards leg lifts. Also
frontwards and rearwards. etc etc etc etc
Wooosh, I've got hyperactive fingers this morning.
Alton, who almost forgot to welcome you to
the group. These people will become dear friends.