[hbcugal]

My brother is ready to go to a rehabilitation hospital now. He was moved from ICU on Sunday.

Sunday night, over in the night he said--wrote--(he still has the trach in) that a male nurse came in and abused him. He said the nurse twisted his arm, the one that was shot and operated on, hit him in the eye with the suction he uses to get rid of the mucus and was very rude and rough with him.

Patient advocate called me yesterday and said they had zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The nurse has been removed his care......I am so pissed.

Ok back to the rehabilitation hospital, they called yesterday afternoon, ironically to tell me that he can be transported to the hospital anytime now since he is out of the ICU. THis hospital is awesome and specializes in spinal injuries. She said based on his injury, he can expect to be in there for 4 weeks, and that he would need 24 hour care after his release. They need the family responsible for his care before they admit him to step up and commit before hand. This would include the family responsible for his care to attend patient care teaching classes, a couple of days a week or the full final week of treatment. His dad said he probably could take him. But his dad lives and works 8 hours away from us. My brother and I are little hesitant about him going back down south -rural Mississippi-what type of life would he have there?

My husband and I think he should go to a care center after release from the rehabilitation hospital...and continue to live here. THat way we can pick him up, take him out and bring him home to family gatherings and holidays...when I say family it is just us living in this state.

I couldn't take over care because me and my husband both work full-time and we have two young children. We couldn't afford to do it. I am just at a loss and completely overwhelmed.

[Courtney]

Number one, not only should that nurse be removed from his care, but he should be removed from that hospitall in my opinion...

Your brother is only 4 weeks out....you have a long road ahead of you. We need a little bit more info....what is his level of injury (aka, what vetebra is his injury at) and does he have any other injuries to his body at this time? This will help us to be able to help you and give you advice as to realistically how much care he will need. There are several options
out there......you've come to the right place, everyone on here is extremely helpful!

My husband is a C6 (no hand function and no feeling from the armpits down) but he needs no care during the day and is extemely independant) I came here for advice when he was first injured and still do from time to time when something unexpected comes up

hbcugal, on Sep 29 2009, 07:03 AM, said:

My brother is ready to go to a rehabilitation hospital now. He was moved from ICU on Sunday.

Sunday night, over in the night he said--wrote--(he still has the trach in) that a male nurse came in and abused him. He said the nurse twisted his arm, the one that was shot and operated on, hit him in the eye with the suction he uses to get rid of the mucus and was very rude and rough with him.

Patient advocate called me yesterday and said they had zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The nurse has been removed his care......I am so pissed.

Ok back to the rehabilitation hospital, they called yesterday afternoon, ironically to tell me that he can be transported to the hospital anytime now since he is out of the ICU. THis hospital is awesome and specializes in spinal injuries. She said based on his injury, he can expect to be in there for 4 weeks, and that he would need 24 hour care after his release. They need the family responsible for his care before they admit him to step up and commit before hand. This would include the family responsible for his care to attend patient care teaching classes, a couple of days a week or the full final week of treatment. His dad said he probably could take him. But his dad lives and works 8 hours away from us. My brother and I are little hesitant about him going back down south -rural Mississippi-what type of life would he have there?

My husband and I think he should go to a care center after release from the rehabilitation hospital...and continue to live here. THat way we can pick him up, take him out and bring him home to family gatherings and holidays...when I say family it is just us living in this state.

I couldn't take over care because me and my husband both work full-time and we have two young children. We couldn't afford to do it. I am just at a loss and completely overwhelmed.

[hbcugal]

I copied the basics from the first post.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15th my brother was shot 4 times. Twice in the hips, and once in the arm...which he had surgery for the next day and once through his thoracic vertbrae which exited through his neck. He is now on a trach. (sp??) and partial ventilator through the trach. The doctors said he will be paralyzed from the waist down. He cannot move his legs.


He has full use of his arms and can push himself up. He looks pretty strong in the thoracic area. His legs are totally motionless. In the ICU they were sitting him up in a hard shell-like brace. I am sorry to be ignorant on the topic, this is all completely new to us and a shock to us. I'm going up to the hospital after work and try to get more detailed information on his site of injury. The only other significant injury was in his wrist....that one required surgery. All of his vital organs were missed...I guess we have that to be grateful for.

[Courtney]

I know if doesn't sound like it, but his prognosis sounds good right now, if he is paralyzed from his waist down and has arm and hand function, he will eventually be able to do ALL of his own care and need no assistance from anyone. He should not require 24 hour care for the rest of his life He will be able to lead an independant life. This will however take time and depend on his willingness to learn. Let us know the specifics later and I'm sure you will get more replies.

[hbcugal]

Thank you so much for your response!

[Kwag_Myers]

Based on my own recovery, I'd say that your brother may only need continuous care for the first few months. After about two months you may notice different issues surfacing - different sensations, problems, etc. That seems to be when most members first join us with specific questions/issues. After about six months your brother should start being more independent, start driving (perhaps) and wanting to get out more. If your brother was independent before, I'd expect him to want to get out on his own again in about a year. So can you look at the Mississippi option as temporary?

[dsueb45]

My nephew,who's 20, was in an automobile wreck on Aug 11 this year, so is not much further along than your brother. Josh also required surgery on 1 arm & hand. He had broken both arms/hands. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you are not depending on the timelines you mentioned above. We have been told several different things over the past 2 months, timing kept changing. We were told Josh could not enter the rehab facility until both arms healed, as he would need to use them for the rehab/physical therapy. He's in a nursing home now till ready for rehab-another 3-4 weeks. They also said he could be in rehab as long as 3-5 months. He's a T6-7 complete, no feeling below the nipples. I just mention these things so you will be prepared for changes in plans for rehab. He should also be prepared for 'phantom' pains and sensations. Josh kept thinking he was getting feeling back, only to find it was what they called phantom pain.
There have been many ups and downs, but your brother needs to keep thinking that this time will pass. Remind him that this short time in the hospitals is only a small time in his life as a whole and while he must focus on getting better each day now, he should keep his eye on the future.
This website has been a tremendous help for me and my family throughout our ordeal. They know everything! I have found so much comfort in finding these wonderful, amazing individuals who live such full & rewarding lives despite the adversity they face every day!
I have come here to find answers to all our questions & have not been disappointed. We just got my nephew a laptop computer so he can feel more in touch with the 'outside world' and he is now a 'lurker' on this site-not yet ready to commit to joining in.
You don't mention your brother's age or where you live.....
Good luck in all & stay positive for your brother!

[wheeliebear75]

Yeah as a paraplegic he should be able to take care of himself for the most part if not completely. But something to consider.......the idea of a nursing home, closer to you for outings is nice......but what about the time in between? Nursing homes are boring to start their drawbacks, they don't allow for choices......things like what is for dinner are decided FOR YOU, & as you had mentioned he has had one bad experience with a nurse who should be removed from the profession (in MY opinion), family is more likely to want to put his happiness & well being 1st.