[TMIC] My story
Joelle, Madison & Paul Grant (thegrants(AT)mindspring.com)
Sun, 23 May 1999 13:52:31 -0700
Hi!
I am a 27years old, have been married 3 years and have a 19 month old
daughter. On February 24th my symptoms began. I sat down on the sofa after
supper and said to my husband "I think my foot is asleep", but no matter what I
did I couldn't get it to wake up. Within about an hour, the numbness went up
my left leg and my left side. I called the doctor and he said that I should go
to the ER, but my daughter was already in bed so I decided to wait until the
next morning to go. I slept on the sofa that night and when I woke up the next
morning I tried to stand up, but I fell over and couldn't get back up. My
husband took me to the ER then, but it was hell trying to get out to the car!!
I had excruciating back pain too, which was really the hardest part of it that
day. I saw a neurologist almost immediately, he asked lots of questions and
did reflex tests on me. I also had a brain MRI that day as well as a spinal
MRI and a spinal tap and bloodwork. All tests showed were clear, so they were
able to rule out Lyme disease and a number of other illnesses. I stayed in the
hospital for a week, I was on Decadron to decrease the imflammation around my
spine, and had a catheter in since I wasn't able to void on my own. At this
time I couldn't stand, walk or even turn myself over in bed. the next week I
was sent to an excellent rehabilitation hospital for intense rehab. I was
there for 4 weeks, going to therapy about 4 hours per day. I had a wonderful
physical therapist whom I trusted completely (that he would have me up and
walking again). I could have stayed longer than the 4 weeks, but I was anxious
to get back home to take care of my daughter again. By the time I left the
hospital I was using 2 forearm crutches to get around......which a huge leap
from when I had gone INTO the rehab hospital. I go to outpatient therapy a
couple of times per week too. My bladder is almost back to normal, but am
still having a little bit of trouble with the bowels. Right now I don't use
any crutches or a cane....just decided one day that I didn't want to use them
anymore. I want my life back to normal, and would do anything to get better.
I can walk almost normally, but still lose my balance sometimes. I also have
decreased sensation in from the chest down, but it is coming back gradually. I
get tired when I am out it seems, and that is so frustrating for me. But, this
could have been much worse and I feel lucky that things are coming back to me
quickly. there are so many things I want to do, but don't seem to have the
energy for them lately. I have an incredibley supportive husband who has
really gotten me through this. I worry though that it may come back, and it is
always in the back of my mind. I am so glad to have found this site too, it
makes it easier to know that there are others dealing with the same things as I
am.
Your friend,
Joelle