reply to Bill Kennedy
root on h3125mbm (root(AT)h3125mbm.atl.hp.com)
Fri, 25 Apr 1997 14:57:23 -0700 (PDT)
Bill, Your questions regarding recovery from TM are often echo'ed on
this list-group. It's not fair but none of us are given accurate
projections on the course of our recoveries. The bottom line is
that we each recover in a manner unique to ourselves. It does seem
that the first months after onset bring about the most dramatic
"returns", whether this is 2,4,6 months, again we're all different.
My lesion is at level C-6, for about 3 months I could not use my
left hand, left leg, and both bowel and bladder functions were
lost to me. I've gotten better. After being released from the
hospital I started out-patient rehab with both physical and
occupational therapists. They taught me how to walk. It was not
easy and I still must use a cane often but the "chair" is seldom
used now. At six months the hand, bladder, bowel functions began
to return; it's seven months now and while improvements are only
seen month to month they do continue.
The improvements may stop. There are no guarentee's.
One area of hope does lie with current medical research. Alot is
being done in the labs today to "fix" spinal cord damage. I honestly
expect to see viable treatments for our "problem" within fives
years.
TM IS a major setback for us all, but it's not the end.
Keep your chin up, "keep your head".
Please excuse the preaching ;)
We'll all be thinking, (many praying), for your swift recovery.
mike morley