I have recently joined the TM support group, I had no idea there was one in
existence. A dear friend told me of the group and how to find you. You will
never know just how excited I was to receive the first general
correspondence. I am not certain as to the correct protocol in this matter,
but I felt compelled to respond to the touching letters written by both Kara
and Linda. Nicloe's letter brought a smile to my soul when she spoke of the
progress she had made. I laughted out loud when I read about Nicoles dog
being amused with the game of fetch.
I was diagnosed with TM in November of 1996, only to find that the medical
community had very little knowledge of this rarity. I had been on a business
trip to New York City and became ill on the last leg of my trip. The
symptoms were; an excruciating band around the trunk of my body, followed by
numbness then paralysis. Within 48 hours of the initial onslot my world had
come to a screaching hault. As I lay in the hospital I can only remember a
few things, one was looking at the 3 neuro docs standing at the end of my bed
shaking their heads. This reaction came when I ask, "How did I get this and
when will get better, or will I?' I thank God everyday for the courage of
one doctor, my regular MD. She launched into a full assault on what TM had,
and was doing to my body.
I can certainly sympathize with Kara and wish I had been able to talk to
someone Linda when I first found out I had TM. The treatments for TM must
certainly vary from doctor to doctor. Hopefully we can share our success and
the not so successful treatments for the benefit of each other. Physical
Therapy and a variety of treatments have given me back my life.
I would like to encourage Kara to act swiftly when she physically can not
take it anymore, don't wait, get to the doctor ASAP. Fight back by being
kind to what is left of your physical and mental health. When you are in
pain you can not rest thus placing youself at greater risk for a hospital
stay.
I keep a journal of my TM and we are able to find the patterns and the
pitfalls in my treatment. Looking back it is almost amusing to see where I
was and where I am today. I went from, what kind of wheel chair do I need, to
have cane will travel, now I am at the stage "No, don't park in that handicap
space, I need the exercise" Make no mistake I have bad days and nights where
I know if I were embalmed I would feel better, but they are much less
devastating than before.
I am excited about learning more and knowing how you cope with TM, please
e-mail the following address Rowton7244(AT)aol.com, Thank you for being out
there.
Beth