Hello everyone

I am Dove, and involved in almost fatal car accident 4/17/08. I am a T5 complete, paralyzed from mid breast on down. My back was broke in like 5 different places, broken ribs, pelvic, scapula (sp?), collapsed lungs, neck also (brace stopped me from moving neck), tracheotomy performed, induced coma (3 wks), ventillator etc....

I am home now and living independantly alone with my dog. Am a stubborn one..lol! I hope that is a good thing. After waking up from coma, left the hospital a week later for Rehab (there 2 months) I didn't want to leave. Although everyone was wonderful and taught me so much, there are still so many things that I know nothing about...and trying to find resources here in Michigan is like well pardon the cliche "pulling teeth"!

I have been hospitalized once with UTI (septic) Oh was I sick! Okay so I know to look out for that one now. I have my BM program down YEA!!! I have been checking in on your site for a little while now....you guys are wonderful and I can see there is much wisdom and knowledge here..so bear with me..as I will have allot of questions.

First is drop foot? I have it in my left foot, it was there when I was brought out of my coma. Please explain to me what it is and why it is important not to let it happen?

My incision starts at the base of my neck and continues down to mid back. I have 2 "13 inch (or more) bars that run on either side of my spine with 16 bolts and screws. The doctor replied that it was the longest bars they have used. Personnaly I don't know...all I know is I woke up and couldn't walk, move, talk..and was in a state of panic. I was kept heavily doped up...lol to the point I swore they were performing mid night experiments on me with rats and snakes..is this normal?

Anyway thanks for letting me ramble on....one thing I wish I had more time at rehab was transfers, floor transfers and lifting myself....any help would greatly be appreciated.

Dove

Drop foot is from your achilles tendons shrinking. they pull close together an it makes your foot point down. If it gets to bad it makes it hard to keep your foot on your foot plate. Just stretch your feet by pulling them back at you. as for the late night experiments those are normal. The meds they put you on make you think about some crazy shit. I for one thouht i was in the jungle an at night my room spun around. good luck an welcome to the site

Hey thanks Kev-O...

I appreciate the info. And yea..I asked my Surgeon..what they used to induce my coma..and his reply was "well we don't know why the drugs work that way, we just know they do" what the hell right? Anyway..yea in my dreams or hallucinations...at times my furniture and room would be turned upside down...WOW

I know my injury is a little different than yours....I am T345 complete. My therapists did work with me a lot on transfers, but the only way I can do a floor - chair transfer is by scootin up 3 boxes I made as a stairstep kind of thing back into my chair. It works well for around the house, but too bulky to take them a long w/ me for when I am away. If you have trouble findin another way to get back up, maybe you might can do somethin like that for yourself. I do commend you on livin alone soon after your injury. I wished I could've, but there were still several things I needed help with. I am good where and how I am now. Anyway, here is a great site to be for info and tips/tricks. Take care and have a great day!! Welcome btw .

Amy

I had to have surgery after my head injury, and I swear to this day I remember the surgery, that I was conscious for the whole thing, except none of my memories (twenty doctors, being shown black and white photos and being asked to count the blades of grass in them, spidery cracks in all the glass, and a grey-brick observation gallery full of people in suits) match any of the reality of the operating room... so yeah, the mind plays some damn weird tricks and odd movies under medication.

Welcome to the site, and ask any and all questions you need: you'll find plenty of support. Keep working on that left foot!

Thanks Amy

Shoot I am still learning exactly what my injuries were/are. According to my paperwork, it states a T3 - T10, T5 was completely severed.

Believe me, I was afraid at first to be alone here, as my only son lives a good 20 minutes away. I couldn't move in with him, (2 kids & a DIL I don't exactly get along with) so I had a friend right..lol..that was going to rent the apt with me, ha ha ha that lasted 5 weeks after my release and he just up and left me high and dry....soooooooo....being as stubborn as I am....I was determined to have my life back...that means me & my dog. Things are still lonely at times. But the Rehab (Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, Michigan) I was at...wow taught me sooo much!

I literally woke up out of my coma one morning, and the next I was in Physical Therapy..boy did they hear some whining then! We worked a program from 7 am - 5 pm every day to include weekends and holidays. So before I left I had the basics down. Transfer w/board, shower with bench, my bed is set up, the apt is disable friendly..3 ft doors, and halls, horseshoe kitchen and bath, and door in my bedroom that makes it easy to let dog out back....But Amy I still get scared at times.

I was alone when I got my first UTI...and it was bad, hospitalized me for almost 4 days, violently sick. Taken away in Ambulance. So I worry about things like that..but I figure they are gonna happen with or without someone...although someone would be nicer.

Dove

lol...Blackbird...

I had my son check the overhead lights cause I could see the damn rats sleeping up there! Wonder why I came up with rats? When they put me out to insert my feeding tube...I swore they took me out on this boat to another yacht like where there were major doctors of the hospital that did my surgery...and they had children there..and more damn rats....I had a bad scrape on my left shin..and they were letting the rats eat on my shin...cause I couldn't feel it to show the kids the what SCI was all about..shew..I swore it to my son and family...yep some strange movie reels playing in my head for sure..

Dove

Where did you do your rehab Dove?

Scooby

Opps. i hijacked a post.

Hey Dove,

Where do you receive rehab? in what hospital or facility in what city?

Scooby gimp

Dove,

Well, I did not have any strange hallucinations or anything like that. I have a REALLY high resistance to all drugs so they don't do much. I was wondering if you were put in contact with your local Aging and Disability Department for help around the house. They supply me with 2 hours a day 5 days a week of a in-home attendand and they also gave me emergency repsonse. I don't know if you already have these, but they are a huge help when your in need of help. Also, the steps thing does really work. I had to use them early on. I can now pull myself off the floor and back into a chair. I have to say I agree that rehab is a Godsend.

I am so glad that you have joined. It took me 9 months to find this site and I'm soooo glad that I have. I'm a new member myself as of Monday and I've already gotten some great advice! These peeps really know what they're talking about.

Hawkitty