39 replies to this topic

[Erick]

Hey Everyone!
I became a para earlier this year (january). I've thankfully got the ability to walk with the use of forearm crutches to around a quarter to half mile. i stop therapy in october and haven't had a routine workout schedule since. But i plan to get back into the gym soon!

I've walked 71 feet without assistance before my balance quit on me!

But...

For everyone that has had a SCI longer than a year
I just want to know what i can expect in the future years to come...

Realistic i would like to be able to walk without assistance and be able to carry small things around.
but i'd like to hear to true thoughs on what i will honestly be able to accomplish..

Thank everyone

[Tetracyclone]

Eric-

You have a good shot at your goal. push yourself every day until you are mentally and physically exhausted.

No one can say what you will regain, or if you will have a set-back ...

Your own work will be the biggest controllable influence, and the rest is set into your body, only waiting for you to discover... fate, in other words.

Your progress is a joy to all.

[Erick]

Hey tetracyclone,
First off thank you for the quick reply! But mainly for the truth...
I will bust my tail everyday!!

Thank you again
Erick

[McTavish]

Hi Erick, I know all our injuries are different but you are a lucky T4 being able to walk I am also T4 incomplete and am working hard to try and be able to stand, that would be better than winning the lottery.

[Soryfam]

You just never know how far the recovery will go. It kind of depends how the rest of your health is, and if the current injury causes other parts of your spine to get out of whack. Still, after each set back I've been able to get back to walking with a cane and carrying light loads. You just have to keep at it and be patient at the same time.

Sandy

[rue2you]

I'm still working in PT and seeing gains - small ones it seems but over time the small ones add up. I say keep working for a little more than you are able to achieve...because i keeps you focused and trying to at least do something! But....don't let it obsess you. Find your joy in your current state and keep the attitude that if you gained nothing else, it is fine because you are happy! At least this works for me!

[nomis]

Expect the unexpected.

The most rapid time for improvement will typically be the first two years - so you've got one and bit more remaining. For best results you should be working hard for the next year building your muscles and learning the compensatory skills needed. That's a mix of formal rehab/gym and plenty of living in the real world to integrate the new learnings and to push boundaries.

Keep positive. It's early days.

[Tetracyclone]

Realistic goals, let's see. Last summer I set my goal at developing a credible walk by year's end. It is that time, and while it is not at the level I had hoped for, there is clear improvement month to month. Just today I finally got the left hip to a near normal rotation and wow, it made the promised change. My PT swore that if I "exhausted myself mentally and physically every day" with the corrective exercises he assigned, the hip might correct and that might allow several muscle groups to engage, which have been unavailable until now. Always MIGHT, because no one can say for sure. And the miracle occurred- the left foot cleared the floor instead of dragging.

This has huge "cool factor" because every other MD or physio said "the left side is just weaker. Its nerve damage." Well yes, but nerve damage caused by misaligned posture. Just my one odd Polish PT in Horseheads, NY, saying "Maybe."

What turned the corner for me was not this man's exercises, but a few I developed for myself as I worked from what he offered. Little is more satisfying than trusting myself and working from the info my body gives me. It will be hit and miss reproducing this morning's walk, but I will keep at it and it will become dependable.

The walk is not credible as I had hoped, but each bit of improvement is a thrill. So perhaps by next summer... it could happen...

Edited by Tetracyclone, 04 December 2010 - 01:02 PM.

[SnoDrifterT12]

What ever you do... do not quit trying. I am a T12 incomp and was having great results until the 1 year mark. then things slowed down. I was kicked out of the military and went in to a slump which i am still in. I have no motivation now that I have had more than just my legs taken from me. I was fine after my injury but once my job/passion was taken I have not rebounded but I have hope. I am still working out, just not like I should. I have also out grown my HKAFO braces. Once the VA gets me new ones maybe I will get myself on the right track. It is hard to do with no friends as all my military "buddies" have left me high and dry so it is just me and my wife. There should never be a "cap" to your recovery... just push yourself to the limits everyday and god things will happen! DO WORK SON!!!

[greybeard]

SnoDrifterT12, on 07 December 2010 - 07:07 AM, said:

It is hard to do with no friends as all my military "buddies" have left me high and dry so it is just me and my wife.

It's not JUST you and your wife. If you've got the support of a loving partner, you are way ahead of the pack. Who needs "buddies" when you are that fortunate?

[araitn]

greybeard, on 07 December 2010 - 08:55 AM, said:

SnoDrifterT12, on 07 December 2010 - 07:07 AM, said:

It is hard to do with no friends as all my military "buddies" have left me high and dry so it is just me and my wife.

It's not JUST you and your wife. If you've got the support of a loving partner, you are way ahead of the pack. Who needs "buddies" when you are that fortunate?

Excellent statement GB. I'm not sure where I would be now without the help and support I've been fortunate enough to receive from my wife.

[SnoDrifterT12]

Well, I in no way meant to down grade the level of inspiration, joy, comfort, love, support, and so many other things my wonderful wife provides. However, after spending 3 years and 7 months of my marriage away from my wife a world away, I have never doubted our devotion to one another, BUT the camaraderie, and brotherhood that was lost is what let me down. sorry to have confused, but thank you for reminding me how important my wife is to me! Either way, my point is to keep going, even through the lows. It is easy to go down hill, hard to climb back up, but the view is always worth it.

[barbara9999]

this subj discussion is an inspiration to me and I believe others, that we should keep working, be positive and not give up.

[Erick]

Thanks for all of th reply's..! Walking has got a touch better!
11 months out an my 3 little toes on th left started working... so excited!!!!! It helps so much on balance.... LOL!

Erick

Thanks for all of th reply's..! Walking has got a touch better!
11 months out an my 3 little toes on th left started working... so excited!!!!! It helps so much on balance.... LOL!

Erick

[Tetracyclone]

Erick,

With season's reveries starting up i actually found someone who would dance with me last Friday night. I cannot move my feet in that circumstance but can shift weight from one foot to the other, make new use of small groin muscles and hip stabilizers. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

Since then I have been doing 10 minutes of this in my walker each day and it is the best thing I have found for balance work. Also, having fun lends a 50% premium to each workout. Memory seems to go into transcendent overdrive when I am having a blast and the next day can replicate whatever I learned.

The other exercise that has been adding to my general function is crawling.

Can you post a video soon for us on youtube?

[Erick]

Tetra,

Good idea's!! Will do... I can crawl reasonably good on carpet.. my knees are numb feeling but for some reason they hurt on tougher surfaces...

I believe you on th having fun part!!!

Yes ma'am I can put a video on you tube.! I'm on a job working but will be back home Friday evening an I'll get right on it....!



Erick

[rue2you]

I want the video too!!

[Tetracyclone]

Erick, on 14 December 2010 - 08:38 PM, said:

Tetra,

Good idea's!! Will do... I can crawl reasonably good on carpet.. my knees are numb feeling but for some reason they hurt on tougher surfaces...

I believe you on th having fun part!!!

Yes ma'am I can put a video on you tube.! I'm on a job working but will be back home Friday evening an I'll get right on it....!



Erick

Erick,

Sears sells very good quality knee pads.

[Erick]

.Exactly what I had in mind! Knee pads!

I always try hold a full kneeling position. I really suck but have held it for 5 minutes..

And gettin into a half kneeling position is a joke but wit help I do it.. it loosen's every thing up..

Thanks for th replys!!! Your awesome!

Erick

.Exactly what I had in mind! Knee pads!

I always try hold a full kneeling position. I really suck but have held it for 5 minutes..

And gettin into a half kneeling position is a joke but wit help I do it.. it loosen's every thing up..

Thanks for th replys!!! Your awesome!

Erick

[The Black Sheep]

Everyone is different and there's no solid answer to give for what to expect because the group has seen every extreme. I'd like to add, though, that not ALL improvement happens within the first 2 years. I was told this when I first entered rehab 3 weeks after my injury, and as the months went by, it was so depressing that so little was coming back. Fast forward 8 years later and I start wiggling all my toes. Even since then I've gotten almost full function of my left foot and side-abs. 12 years have gone by and I've recovered more in the passed 4 than in the first 2! So, even if you feel like you're reaching a plateau at any point, don't feel like all hope is lost. It comes in spurts, sometimes, and often when you least expect it.

I'm going to go wiggle my side-abs now. All this optimistic talk has motivated me.

[Tetracyclone]

Black Sheep,
First a wiggle, next a slither, next you are doing something you should not even tell us about.

[Erick]

Hey Tetra
Sorry it has taken me so long to post a video! between work and the holidays i have been very busy! but here is one my girlfried made of me today! also you can go to youtube and type in erick hicks paraplegic for additional videos as i have improved!
thanks, Erick

[Tetracyclone]

Erick,

Awesome. Absolutely magnificent.

[rue2you]

Erick!!! You rock man! And you have given me a new boost of attitude for therapy tomorrow! Maybe I will get some video of it.

[mellowgator]

hi erick,

i love your doublewide in the country along with the george straight playing in the background. nice spread!

you are doing great and are making wonderful progress. thanks for sharing.

by the way, you sure are a cutie!


mellowgator

[Erick]

Hey.....

Thank all ya'll for th great compliments!!

Better bust ya butt tomorrow rue!! LOL!

I wish double wide gater it's only a single ha ha.. it was
Tough th 5-6 months I was in my chair.. couldn't get to my room
I had to sleep on th couch....

Th camera must of had special effects on it to make
This ole boy look good... ha ha ha

Maybe one day ya'll can watch a video of me throwing them crutches down th hill!

Thank ya'll so much again!!

Erick

[Parachute]

[

Edited by Parachute, 04 January 2011 - 12:57 AM.

[greybeard]

Wow, Erick. Your are doing really well. Good luck with the rest of your recovery.

[rue2you]

Erick - I am curious. What about spasms and your sensation levels. I heard you talking some about sensation but I was just wondering. Like, can you feel your feet on the floor? Also, the more return I have gotten, the more crazy and unpredictable the spasms are. I know everyone is different - I was just wondering.

[Erick]

Thanks grey beard! I'm pushing hard everyday!!

Rue,
My sensation is half decent for the circumstances.. my left leg can tell th difference between hot an cold water but my right leg can't.. brown seqcord? The doc. Said... As far as feeling I can feel everything (since day one)
Only thing is from my knee to mid quad it's a numb feeling on both legs. An when I walk a long time my feet will start to feel like their freezing...

Now on spams this is kinda cool... I use to be on 50 mg of baclofen daily.. till one day I said screw these pills.. an now I don't take anything for them.. so I been off of them for about 2 months now..
the only time my legs will spaz is when I've been sitting for a while then stand up.. once my legs straighten my legs will flex real hard for about 10 seconds... looks like I'm stretching, even my hills come off th ground. then spams are pretty much gone..
Other than that their not to bad, unless I drink coke,coffee,ect. O an when I over work them my knee caps will shake...

Any more questions just let me know!

Also I walked a half mile today without sitting or resting!! yay me!!!

Erick

Thanks grey beard! I'm pushing hard everyday!!

Rue,
My sensation is half decent for the circumstances.. my left leg can tell th difference between hot an cold water but my right leg can't.. brown seqcord? The doc. Said... As far as feeling I can feel everything (since day one)
Only thing is from my knee to mid quad it's a numb feeling on both legs. An when I walk a long time my feet will start to feel like their freezing...

Now on spams this is kinda cool... I use to be on 50 mg of baclofen daily.. till one day I said screw these pills.. an now I don't take anything for them.. so I been off of them for about 2 months now..
the only time my legs will spaz is when I've been sitting for a while then stand up.. once my legs straighten my legs will flex real hard for about 10 seconds... looks like I'm stretching, even my hills come off th ground. then spams are pretty much gone..
Other than that their not to bad, unless I drink coke,coffee,ect. O an when I over work them my knee caps will shake...

Any more questions just let me know!

Also I walked a half mile today without sitting or resting!! yay me!!!

Erick