18 replies to this topic

[demfabbones]

I don't have any specific questions (if I started asking them I'd never stop) but I just wanted to introduce myself. Hi.

My dad was injured 3 months ago. He fell while hiking (like, tripped and fell...not fell from a tall point or anything) and broke his C3/C4. He also fractured his C7 but for whatever reason that was not a big deal. He had a fusion at the C3/C4 and has been in rehab about the past 6 weeks. His spinal cord is not severed, so of course no one can give us any definite answers. He was classified as complete at the time of his injury. He could not feel anything from shoulders down. He has now had some *very* slight movement in his fingers and legs (he moved his legs outward about a half inch while in a seated position.) He has seemingly random spots of sensation all over.

The past few months I was too emotionally distraught to do any real reading - to be honest I was too afraid of what I'd find, kind of like when you have a headache then you go on WebMD and leave convinced that you are dying. Anyway, my goal now is to read up and become as educated as possible. I'd be especially interested in hearing from anyone with similar situations.

[Soryfam]

Welcome. I'm glad you've found this forum. It still is really early to know what life will bring. Try to keep your thoughts positive and give your dad the emotional support he needs. And please keep us updated.

Sandy

[Parachute]

demfabbones, on 14 January 2011 - 11:25 PM, said:

I don't have any specific questions (if I started asking them I'd never stop) but I just wanted to introduce myself. Hi.

My dad was injured 3 months ago. He fell while hiking (like, tripped and fell...not fell from a tall point or anything) and broke his C3/C4. He also fractured his C7 but for whatever reason that was not a big deal. He had a fusion at the C3/C4 and has been in rehab about the past 6 weeks. His spinal cord is not severed, so of course no one can give us any definite answers. He was classified as complete at the time of his injury. He could not feel anything from shoulders down. He has now had some *very* slight movement in his fingers and legs (he moved his legs outward about a half inch while in a seated position.) He has seemingly random spots of sensation all over.

The past few months I was too emotionally distraught to do any real reading - to be honest I was too afraid of what I'd find, kind of like when you have a headache then you go on WebMD and leave convinced that you are dying. Anyway, my goal now is to read up and become as educated as possible. I'd be especially interested in hearing from anyone with similar situations.

There is hope for your father. I'm not sure how much. I too are C 3/4 incomplete. I believe that every time you see him from now on YOU MUST move his limbs. Move his shoulder joints, move his fingers, move his knee joints.

Everyone is different. But if you want any good news, I was classified as complete at first. I tried to move every single moment. I was never bored. Boredom is a route to no confidence of recovery. If you ask your father now if he will recover would he answer yes/not sure/no? You must ask him. Answering no, is not a good start. I told everyone that I would recover. They did not believe me. Other spinal injured people came to visit me in hospital. This inspired me. For the record I will take part in the Virgin London Marathon, April 2011. Yes on my feet. I am not saying that your father will get back on his feet. Your father must speak to other spinal injured patients that are on their feet. Find out what they did to get on their feet.

I still have bowel problems. My bladder works well but not the same as pre-injury.

Your fathers recovery may be in his own hands and also your hands, as well as family and friends. The medical staff will not give you answers. I am not giving you answers. I am just saying how it was for me. I always knew I would recover. So will your father, but he must want to. Lying there watching television will not help. Lying there trying to move limbs that can't move may. Also massage his arms and legs.

I wish you the best of luck. Let me know your fathers progress. By the way, I was injured playing rugby, in March 2009. If you are reading my statements as negative, then they are. If you see them as postitives then use them NOW.

Good luck


Parachute

[Tetracyclone]

My first leg movement was also about 1.5 inch. That is how it starts. On the other hand, waiting 3 months for that is a long time, so any recovery must win back from enormous atrophy and memory loss of coordination. Yes, the brain reprograms the movement areas and devotes them to other functions after only a few weeks. Anything he wins back will help him cope with life enormously, especially hand and arm function.

As parachute says, ask him what he thinks. Most people have some intuition of their physical possibilities.

Keep us informed. You can help him enormously by showing confidence in his and the family's ability to cope with his situation.

[demfabbones]

He was in an ICU for about 2 weeks and then went to a "specialty hospital" where he was supposed to be weaned from the ventilator. That did not happen and we were not very pleased with that facility (long story, way too long for right now!) He was waiting to get into RIC in Chicago and the hope was he'd be off the vent by then. That did not end up happening, but they took him as a vent patient anyway, and now he's only on the vent for about 8 hours (at night, when he sleeps.) RIC is a wonderful facility so he's getting awesome rehab right now. We (my mom, my brothers and I) also do a lot of stretching and range of motion when he is not in therapy. He's been here for about 3 weeks and is making excellent progress. We've seen a big improvement in his overall strength, his breathing/oxygen levels, his ability to sit up (assisted, but still). He has also shown some improvement in his bicep muscle tone using electrical stimulation.

Eating has been another big improvement. At the hospital, he took a video swallow test and it was pass/fail. He failed and was not allowed to have any liquids, even ice or water. At RIC, his video swallow test was extremely thorough and was not just a pass/fail and it showed that he was able to have thin liquids and purees. He loves being able to eat, even if it's only stuff like mashed potatoes and broth. That has made a HUGE difference in his spirits and strength.

He has an extremely good attitude, much better than I would have if it were me. He is an extremely active person, but he is also a deep thinker and values relationships over anything else, so having lots of support from friends and family has been great for him. He is doing well, all considered.

We are not from this area so it's about 6-7 hours of travel each time we come up. (My mom is here full-time, my brothers and I rotate. I usually come up on weekends.)

Our main worries right now are what we're going to do when we get home. We hope for an amazing recovery but we know that that won't be happening anytime in the near future. My parents are adding on to their house for a handicap accessible bedroom/bathroom, but as of now, he'd also need 24/7 care of some sort. Lots to think about...I'm definitely glad I've discovered this site!

[Parachute]

Hi demfabbones

Wow, you are putting up with a lot. You did not mention ventilator in your first post. It's great to hear that your dad is getting awesome rehab. Keep up the stretching. You, you family and friends are doing brilliantly travelling from 6-7 hours away. Keep everything up. Tell your dad that Parachute in Leeds said hello and that he can do this.


Parachute

[demfabbones]

Parachute, on 16 January 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

Hi demfabbones

Wow, you are putting up with a lot. You did not mention ventilator in your first post. It's great to hear that your dad is getting awesome rehab. Keep up the stretching. You, you family and friends are doing brilliantly travelling from 6-7 hours away. Keep everything up. Tell your dad that Parachute in Leeds said hello and that he can do this.


Parachute

Haha, thanks I will. I will say it and offer no context whatsoever and just let him think I've gone bonkers! lol.

My mom has been here the entire time and while I was coming up every weekend at one point, I can't maintain that AND keep my job...(English teacher...lots of grading.) But, it's easier to leave him now that we know that 1) He's getting great care and 2) He can actually speak for himself (since he couldn't talk while on vent. Some health care professionals are so incredibly insensitive when dealing with a patient who can literally not talk...they act like you must not have an opinion since you're not voicing it!) But, I'm sure I don't need to tell you all that.

[Millard]

demfabbones, on 17 January 2011 - 12:01 AM, said:

Parachute, on 16 January 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

Hi demfabbones

Wow, you are putting up with a lot. You did not mention ventilator in your first post. It's great to hear that your dad is getting awesome rehab. Keep up the stretching. You, you family and friends are doing brilliantly travelling from 6-7 hours away. Keep everything up. Tell your dad that Parachute in Leeds said hello and that he can do this.


Parachute

Haha, thanks I will. I will say it and offer no context whatsoever and just let him think I've gone bonkers! lol.

My mom has been here the entire time and while I was coming up every weekend at one point, I can't maintain that AND keep my job...(English teacher...lots of grading.) But, it's easier to leave him now that we know that 1) He's getting great care and 2) He can actually speak for himself (since he couldn't talk while on vent. Some health care professionals are so incredibly insensitive when dealing with a patient who can literally not talk...they act like you must not have an opinion since you're not voicing it!) But, I'm sure I don't need to tell you all that.

I believe that RIC in Chicago is one of the highest rated rehab facilities in the U.S. Your father is very fortunate to have a close, loving family such as yours.


Good luck.

[demfabbones]

Millard, on 03 February 2011 - 11:47 PM, said:

demfabbones, on 17 January 2011 - 12:01 AM, said:

Parachute, on 16 January 2011 - 11:14 PM, said:

Hi demfabbones

Wow, you are putting up with a lot. You did not mention ventilator in your first post. It's great to hear that your dad is getting awesome rehab. Keep up the stretching. You, you family and friends are doing brilliantly travelling from 6-7 hours away. Keep everything up. Tell your dad that Parachute in Leeds said hello and that he can do this.


Parachute

Haha, thanks I will. I will say it and offer no context whatsoever and just let him think I've gone bonkers! lol.

My mom has been here the entire time and while I was coming up every weekend at one point, I can't maintain that AND keep my job...(English teacher...lots of grading.) But, it's easier to leave him now that we know that 1) He's getting great care and 2) He can actually speak for himself (since he couldn't talk while on vent. Some health care professionals are so incredibly insensitive when dealing with a patient who can literally not talk...they act like you must not have an opinion since you're not voicing it!) But, I'm sure I don't need to tell you all that.

I believe that RIC in Chicago is one of the highest rated rehab facilities in the U.S. Your father is very fortunate to have a close, loving family such as yours.


Good luck.

Yes, ranked #1 for rehab. We are lucky to be here, though oddly enough, most of the people here seem to be from fairly nearby. We live 6 hours away but it's worth it.

[deb68]

demfabbones, on 14 January 2011 - 11:25 PM, said:

I don't have any specific questions (if I started asking them I'd never stop) but I just wanted to introduce myself. Hi.

My dad was injured 3 months ago. He fell while hiking (like, tripped and fell...not fell from a tall point or anything) and broke his C3/C4. He also fractured his C7 but for whatever reason that was not a big deal. He had a fusion at the C3/C4 and has been in rehab about the past 6 weeks. His spinal cord is not severed, so of course no one can give us any definite answers. He was classified as complete at the time of his injury. He could not feel anything from shoulders down. He has now had some *very* slight movement in his fingers and legs (he moved his legs outward about a half inch while in a seated position.) He has seemingly random spots of sensation all over.

The past few months I was too emotionally distraught to do any real reading - to be honest I was too afraid of what I'd find, kind of like when you have a headache then you go on WebMD and leave convinced that you are dying. Anyway, my goal now is to read up and become as educated as possible. I'd be especially interested in hearing from anyone with similar situations.

[Dean1978]

The best thing is for him to stay positive. I"m a C-6 and have full use of my arms and legs. Time will tell if he gets anything back or not. But he has to do his therapy and keep a good mind frame. Cause it is hard to go through on him and the one's close to him.

[Stand]

I broke the exact same vertebra. They thought I was a complete at first until I started getting feeling back, making me an incomplete. I feel very fortunate in being able to tell you that I can feel everywhere all over my body. This is to varying degrees but for the most part, I can feel a lot and pretty well at that. I realize I'm very lucky and people with my injury are usually not that lucky. This all came over time, just like with anything in this life.

As far as movement goes, I've regained a little but nothing that allows me to utilize my arms, hands, wrists or fingers. I always try in my mind. Tell your father to constantly to try and move his fingers literally and mentally. Every other body part as well for that matter. Nobody can say for sure what will be gained back for any of us, but we can fight like hell. I need to take my own advice because I've seem to have given up a little bit lately due to frustration. Nobody said this would be easy but a strong person can do anything. Maybe not move, but just being able to deal with this and be a positive person says a lot about someone's character. Not everybody can do what we do. Not even the toughest person. Keep your dad motivated and never let him lose it.

I wish nothing but the very best for you and your family. You stay strong as well. That's just as important! Feel free to send me a message if you ever want to talk or if your dad has questions. I'm no expert but I've been doing this for a little over two years and four months. Many more people on the site have been injured a lot longer than myself and I'm sure they would happily answer questions as well. Use your resources!

[Mrs Wisteria]

Hi Demfabbones and welcome. Everyone on here has a different story to tell and if you tried to read them all, your head will implode!There are so many different responses and I think that you have had a good selection of responses so far. i hope that the main message you are getting is that your Dad is getting excellent professional and family support and I can't tell you how imporrtant that is. Your dad is your dad and you have already spotted that he still has opinions of his own which he may be frustrated at not being able to get across. When I was ill in bed at the spinal unit, I needed to have someone I could 'let off steam' with. That person was my daughter in law and i knew i could trust her implicitly to give me a different route for talking about my fears and frustrations (using one finger on my left hand on my blackberry for texts and emails), She was so good at finding out things for me and I didn't have to place any more probelms and stress on the rest of my family. this kept me sane and helped me keep a positive head on.Ask your dad how you can help him...

It is early days for him and when he does get home his and all of your lives will have changed... Demand a pt programme for when he gets home, I hated it to begin with but i have gone from a partially paralysed at c4/5 to wobbly walking cake maker extraordinaire. Like para, i always knew i had to keep positive and keep working hard - even when all i could move was a toe... No-one knows at this point how your dad will recover - it will hwlp so much if his head is filled with positivity. this forum is a fantatsic source for you, your family and if course your dad when he is ready for it. My D-I-L found this site for me as I went into the unit and I couldn't look at it at first... now, you can;t keep me away.

hope all goes well - please take the simple message that your dad is not alone and support is here for him when he is ready. after all that I shoudl add - please ask whatever you need to ask - there will almost certainly someone on here who can help x

[Kitson]

Hi and welcome in to the community,
I am C5 incomplete from a cycling accident, 6 yrs post injury.
If your DAD is anything like my C5 injury the swelling and damage was worst to begin with and as the swelling was reduced the real work begins!
I was fairly complete ie not moving for 3 weeks had an op and then sterted physio - I treated this like my job there every day doing what ever they said - blood sweat and tears. It worked for me. I am still amazed at the things I have got back to doing that I never expected to and the medics told me were out of the question. You cant tell what will come back and for me the most frustrating thing was the not knowing. Be patient.

Good luck - you are all stronger than you think!

[SPCneustadt]

hello,
i am completely new to forums and blogs and what not. anyways my best friend and brother-in-arms was injured in a dirt bike accident about 3 weeks ago. he is a complete C 3/4. he is still in the ICU at one of the premere hospitals in north florida. they took out his breathing tubes last friday, 11 may 2012, but they just took them out of his mouth and put a trech in. he has regained some movement in his shoulders but thats about it so far. tomorrow they are going to put in a diaphram stemulator to help him breathe on his own. his parents have been talking about different rehab facilities. i think they are trying to decide between one in Atlanta, GA or one here in Jacksonville, FL. of course we all want him to go to the one here so we can visit him often but from what we here the one in atlanta is a better facility. i have read some of the posts on here and it has really given me hope that he WILL get back on his feet. He is only 19 years old and just recently got home from boot camp and all the fun army training. I honestly dont know how he is going to take the news that he will no longer be able to serve in the military and i think everyone is tip toeing around the subject with him. is that something that should wait until he gets stronger to talk about or is 'tough love' the best way to go about stuff like that...

[Tetracyclone]

many of the better medical people say little, allowing patients to figure things out as they feel emotionally capable of doing so. SPC, likely your friend is already dreading the inevitable changes in his future even though he may not mention anything out loud. For now everyone simply needs to focus on his healing.

[Ratticis]

I thin I missed this the first time around cus I was locked up, but welcome to the forums to the newuns. And Tetra, once again, right. Usually the more a doctor talks the less he listens. Had many experiences with that, not that I'm bitter or anything . . . . jackasses. Anyway, welcome to the wonderful world of the wounded. Don't be alarmed if once in a while there's a efw of us lurking around looking for brains, usually without pants. Brains without pants simply taste better. Where was I going with this? O ya, welcome!

[qbounce]

Getting anything back below the injury line so soon is very significant, as you know.

Hopefully he should get the full physical therapy treatment now based on that fact, including the hoyer lift on the treadmill to move his legs, eventually.

Good luck with everything, and I'm glad you found this forum so early on.

[munkypoop]

Well welcome to the site. Sorry to hear about your father's accident. I think you will enjoy this site. You can ask anything in here, no matter what it is. There is always someone who has gone through the same thing and can help you with anything you want to know. And hopefully you'll learn things to help people as well.

I am a C/ 4C/5 incomplete quadriplegic. I had my neck fused twice .. I was the passenger in a truck that hit the corner of a brick wall doing 70 mph with no signs of slowing down .. I am munkypoop – nice to meet you