Re: the usual
AZMAINIAC (AZMAINIAC(AT)prodigy.net)
Sat, 13 Mar 1999 18:49:08 -0800
Nancy,
I was admitted to my hometown hospital on Dec. 12, 1971 due to weakness in
my legs. I was 20. On Dec. 14, I was transferred to a hospital about a 2 1/2
hour drive away. It was in an Cadillac ambulance and we stopped for gas on
the way.
As I was being wheeled into the hospital, I saw the clock on the wall and it
was 12:50PM. The next thing that I remember when I came to was seeing two
doctors with their blue surgical masks and hats. I felt a sharp pain in my
throat and passed back out. when I came to, I was in ICU connected to a
respirator at my throat. I could not talk.
I spent about 3 weeks in ICU and was transferred to the surgical floor to
stay away from infections.
I had a PT who was born and schooled in Germany and I still believe she was
a relative of Hitler. She really cracked the whip. If it wasn't for her
being so demanding, I don't believe I would have walked out of the hospital
with Canadian crutches on March 31, 1972.
I progressed to where I went back to work in a grocery store. The only
problem I had was a spastic bladder. I wore Pampers(there were no Depends or
such back then) for 17 years until I got the baclofen pump.
There were times when I thought that I had reached my maximum recovery, but
it would be a plateau for a while and there would be another change for the
better.
You may not think that there is progress, but others notice it. you are
living with it every day, so you don't see the changes.
It sounds to me like the pins and needles feeling, even though it can be
irritating, is a sign of progress. You are feeling more.
Don't give up!
John
-----Original Message-----
From: by way of Transverse Myelitis Association <myelitis(AT)myelitis.org>
<Willjays(AT)aol.com>
To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com <tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com>
Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 10:26 AM
Subject: the usual
>Has anyone experienced really bad 'pins & needles '? I have noticed they
>appear more prevalent when on some days I feel more numb than others. and I
>noticed my back is more painful too. I'm starting to get really tired of
this
>disease. i have had it for a year now and am about the same. the Drs. still
>stay that it should go away about 80% in another year but sometimes i
wonder
>if they really know anything. there still is no known cause for ms either
and
>that's been around a lot longer than TM so i doubt they will bother to find
a
>cause or a cure for TM.
>i wrote my story last week so if it's on the stories list my experiences
are
>on it. i would rather have had this in my 60's not 40's because by then my
>kids would have been grown up and i could take it a little easier.
>has anyone or has anyone heard of anyone recovering completely or at least
80%
>from this? i would like to know so i have something more to look forward
to. I
>know I could be worse off but this is no picnic.
>thanks for listening and good luck to all! Nancy
>