Improvement can continue
JHarper33(AT)aol.com
Tue, 11 Feb 1997 08:42:22 -0500 (EST)
Dear Aurore,
In your note to Heather, it was good to read that you had had
improvement over five years. My neurologist first told me everything should
be back to normal in a year or so, and if not, by then I'd "be used to it." I
read somewhere else any symptoms remaining after six months would be
permanent; another doctor whose daughter had TM said they were told it would
take a year or two. It's been a year and a half for me, and I sometimes
wonder, "Is this as good as it's going to get?" Yet I continue to hope, pray,
and work toward improvement. Most of my improvement was in the first few
months (progressing from walker to cane to walking alone, albeit awkwardly),
yet I just recently noticed something new: I hadn't been able to squat or sit
on something low, like my 3 year old's little chair -- rather, I could, but I
couldn't raise myself up again. I'd have to get on my knees and go over to
the couch or a chair and pull myself up. So I pretty much avoided such
situations! I'm sure bending over to pick up things, wipe up spills, etc.,
did not help the back pain. But I just noticed the other day that I can squat
down about halfway and get up again. A little thing, but it was a real boost
to me!!
Barbara