2 replies to this topic

[Trishtack]

Hello all - I have posted a couple of times in regards to my husband that became paralyzed last year due to what the doctors think was a fibrocartilagious embolis. He went from perfectly healthy to paralyzed in 15 minutes. He lost all movement from the navel down and lost all feeling on the left side of his body from the waist down.

We went to Mayo in October 08 and were told that there was a less than 1% chance of walking again. He did a month at a rehab hospital in IN and came home in Nov. 08. The day I picked him up from rehab he said, "Look what I can do" and he was able to move the toes on his righ foot. Over the last 7 months and three weeks he has got a little more movement back in his right leg. Nothing in his left including no feeling. He can kick his right leg forward and point his foot downward and move his fort back and forth. He cannot lift the left and he cannot point his foot upward.

On Monday we went to Mayo and saw his neurologist that treated him in Oct. 08. We spent 15-20 minutes with him and he did the pin test, the vibration test (sure that is not the correct name) and talked some. He said he would be interested to see what happened over the next year and asked us to come back in a year. My husband told him about sweating from the waist down and so he made him an appt to see a doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

We saw the doctor on Monday afternoon in his office and he ordered some tests etc in regards to the sweating but more importantly he took a look at what my husb could do with his right leg and asked about his paralysis. He said the following: that based on where his paralysis was that he could walk using braces on both legs (anti-gravity?) but that it would take tremendous energy to do so. He then said that he wanted my husb to have some physical therapy to strengthen the right leg etc. and that he was at the point that he could stand using a standing frame and if things progressed he may be able to walk using his right leg and a brace on the left. He said he wasn't at the walking point yet but that he could get there.

How is this so based on what we were told last year? Also, why is it that the doctor at the rehab hospital that he has been seeing (very sporadically though) has never mentioned it. How come not one doctor has ever stated that he could conceivably walk with braces (even without the regaining of partial movement)?

To me this is a hugely significant statement yet the doctor just said it matter of factly and we sat there like dummies and didn't ask a quesiton. He gave my husband an order for PT in Indiana but I am terrified that he will not go or not make any progress. He has finally turned the corner depression wise but he doesn't believe one word of what the doctor said and will not even discuss it. Sigh.

Our families and friends want to know what we found out (we are still at Mayo until tomorrow) and I just don't want to share it because I have no clue if it is possible.

Any thoughts anyone?

Sincerely - Trish

[hooplady]

First of all - congratulations on all the progress your husband has made! Any news is good news, take it where you can get it.

IMHO, doctors of physical medicine (physiatrists) have a whole lot more real-world experience with spinal injuries. Whoever told you he only had a 1% chance of walking again was giving you their best estimate based on the facts at hand. Or maybe he meant there was only a 1% chance that he would walk with no aids such as braces. Well, the facts and circumstances have changed now. Besides, SOMEBODY has to be in that 1%!

Also, as to why the rehab doctor has never mentioned it - I am constantly amazed at what medical professionals do and don't think is important to tell the patient. Maybe he just "assumed" that your husband had been told. Who knows? Take the info you have and press onward. I can understand why your husband doesn't want to discuss it - he's been through so much and he's afraid to get his hopes up too much. I'm rooting for you both!

[Trishtack]

Thank you so much for you kindness and well wishes. One day at a time is my motto and sometimes things get so low that I forget that.

hooplady, on Jun 24 2009, 11:42 AM, said:

First of all - congratulations on all the progress your husband has made! Any news is good news, take it where you can get it.

IMHO, doctors of physical medicine (physiatrists) have a whole lot more real-world experience with spinal injuries. Whoever told you he only had a 1% chance of walking again was giving you their best estimate based on the facts at hand. Or maybe he meant there was only a 1% chance that he would walk with no aids such as braces. Well, the facts and circumstances have changed now. Besides, SOMEBODY has to be in that 1%!

Also, as to why the rehab doctor has never mentioned it - I am constantly amazed at what medical professionals do and don't think is important to tell the patient. Maybe he just "assumed" that your husband had been told. Who knows? Take the info you have and press onward. I can understand why your husband doesn't want to discuss it - he's been through so much and he's afraid to get his hopes up too much. I'm rooting for you both!