HI There

[Doris]

Hi All, I have been visiting this site from time to time and finally built up the courage to sign up and post. I am a bit shy and do not like to talk a lot about myself but I have similar problems as many in this community have and have found it beneficial to visit and read what others with similar experiences have to say.

I had a fall in June of 2008 and broke my neck; I was paralyzed from the shoulders down when it first occurred. I ended up damaging c5-c6, resulting in surgery where a bone from my hip was placed somewhere up in my neck along with some titanium hardware to hold it all together. That was the first operation followed a day later by a second to repair all the tendons I tore up when I fell. The second operation landed me in ICU for an extended time, almost a month. My husband was told I would most likely not walk again or be able to use my hands. I knew that the possibilities were just that but as I could feel light touch I figured that something was getting through and I could go on from there. They do not give anyone much hope. 

I was now in a new body, feeling and experiencing things so differently and as each new development came my way I was determined to make the most of it. To make a long story short, today after a year of rehab, a lot of my own determination (since I left rehab) and my husband's endless encouragement and support, I now walk with a cane but I still have a ways to go. I still hope to improve and indeed do feel differences in sensation, ability to walk etc. with each passing month. There have been few dull moments since my accident. It has been 2 years this summer since my heartbreaking injury.   

Doris

[chrisarnold]

Hi Doris,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds a pretty devastating experience, but congratulations on all you've succeeded in doing. Doctors are naturally very conservative in making any predictions about the outcome of operations, unless they are pretty routine, like appendix.

Keep on with your efforts. It's good that your husband has been so supportive.

Chris

[LW]

Hi Doris. I'm really glad you've found this site and, at last, plucked up the courage to share your experience. It sounds a bit cliche but it does help to talk, especially to people who have at least a vague idea of what you're going through.

My situation isn't exactly the same as yours but I can certainly relate to living with the discomfort of altered sensation. I was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour (aged 26) two years ago after being virtually unable to walk for 6 months. The tumour was 'successfully' removed but I have been left feeling internally maimed through irreversible nerve damage. My recovery has been endless and, like you, I still feel as though I am making progress after this amount of time. After my operation I was housebound for a year and it was unbearable. Fortunately I am able to walk now and go out but it's been a long haul. Although people see me upright and looking better on the outside I am still trying to come to terms with my 'different body' like yourself. I'm blighted by everything from pins and needles to electric shock sensations from the neck down. I find this very isolating as so few people understand what it's like and I'm grateful to sites like this for providing a platform for the SCI affected. I never though I would find myself talking to strangers either; especially under circumstances like this.

I'm so glad to hear that things are slowly moving along for you and hope this continues. Keep us posted!

[Andy]

hi doris

welcome to you

Andy

[Tschanne]

Doris,

I had my dirtbike accident a year and two weeks ago and I too feel like I'm in a different body at times.
I broke my neck at C1 level and was told after two operations and a fusion from the base of my skull to C4 that I might never walk again.
I walked out of Rehab the day before thanksgiving last year and have been making progress since. My walking is still very stiff and no where near what it used to be, but I'm walking. I have to dig deep to get through some of the difficult days I'll admit but the good days are becoming more and more frequent.
I go to the gym every day and lift and do cardio and my strength is returning somewhat. My wife, like your husband has been amazing over the past year with all she has done for me, we are truly blessed to have people that love us to get us through this difficult time in our lives.

Hang in there and welcome,

Tom