25 replies to this topic

[Taylor818]

Hi all,
My name is Taylor. I'm a C-6 quadriplegic and very new to all of this. My accident was 5 weeks ago, I had a C6-7 fusion, spent two weeks in the hospital and now I'm in a rehabilitation facility doing therapy everyday. I'm slowly learning how to deal with burning pain, tingling, stiffness, muscle spasms and everything else. I guess I don't really have a specific question right now, more looking for any helpful hints or words of wisdom to make each day a little better. Thanks!

[wheeliebear75]

Take each day one day at a time.

[goose]

Hey Taylor

Welcome aboard! Sorry about your accident. I bet you feel like your world has turned upside down, sideways and any way but the way you envisioned. It'll take some time to figure out your new normal. I don't know how you handle problems or stress but it is okay to let out your emotions. This forum is an excellant place to rant,cry,laugh and seek answers. Don't be shy because chances are someone on here has had the same problem.
What rehab center are you in? My advice is to work your butt off and then some more. The more you do or learn now will have a hugh impact on the rest of your life. Your progress now will determine how easy your daily living will be. I know things are hard and may even seem impossible but it will become second nature. Keep trying. KEEP working. Keep breathing. Keep being you. The person inside hasn't changed.[remember that one]
KEEP us posted. Your lucky to have found this forum so early.

[Taylor818]

goose, on 31 May 2011 - 04:34 AM, said:

Hey Taylor

Welcome aboard! Sorry about your accident. I bet you feel like your world has turned upside down, sideways and any way but the way you envisioned. It'll take some time to figure out your new normal. I don't know how you handle problems or stress but it is okay to let out your emotions. This forum is an excellant place to rant,cry,laugh and seek answers. Don't be shy because chances are someone on here has had the same problem.
What rehab center are you in? My advice is to work your butt off and then some more. The more you do or learn now will have a hugh impact on the rest of your life. Your progress now will determine how easy your daily living will be. I know things are hard and may even seem impossible but it will become second nature. Keep trying. KEEP working. Keep breathing. Keep being you. The person inside hasn't changed.[remember that one]
KEEP us posted. Your lucky to have found this forum so early.

Thank you so much for responding. My life now definitely isn't what I ever imagined for myself, but ive always been an active, independent, and happy person which has now become my motivation to work as hard as I can and then some in therapy. It's some of the "little" things that are the hardest for me, pills, a cathing and bowel schedule and little to no privacy. I'm learning that staying healthy is a 24hr job, bed sores, dry skin...it's overwhelming. I'm grateful to have found this site and people that I can relate to and turn to for advise.

[plank]

Yes Taylor - that's good advice from goose. At 5 weeks you would still be noticing a lot of movement coming back. Don't take it for granted - if you can move it then work it. You are a long way from knowing how your life is going to be, so just put the head down and bum up and concentrate on improving what you have. The more time you spend on the physical, the less time you have to dwell on the emotional. You have found this forum and that's a big plus. Welcome.

Plank

[Ratticis]

Welcone to the wonderful world of gimpdom, leave your sanity at the door and don't forget to wipe your feet

[Smileyblue]

I'm glad you found this site so early! It is a resource that can help you trough almost anything, for many years to come! The collective experience on here is not something you'll find anywhere else.. Whenever I have a question, this is my first stop for help..

I'm sure you'll fit in real well, and look forward to hearing of your progress.. ;-)

[catmint]

Hi Taylor

Welcome to the boards.

[evilmac64]

hey hey welcome

[greybeard]

Hiya Taylor. Welcome to the forum.

[MrBump]

hey Taylor, i'm same as you, C7, so throw any questions at me, i'd be happy to try and answer them.

[Snakeye]

Howdy...keep your chin up things will work out....

[Stand]

Hello Taylor! Can't really say anything that's not already been said, but stay positive and work hard! There is no question that you'll have your bad days. I still have mine, as I'm sure everyone does, but do not let them consume you or your mind. The possibilities are endless the harder you push yourself. It's up to your occupational and physical therapists to show you the way but you have to pick up the ball and run with it from there. I really wish you luck and look forward to hearing about your progress! Best of luck!

[Taylor818]

Thank you all for the welcome and bits of advise, it's incredibly reassuring to know I'm not alone and have a place to turn to for any reason. Physical therapy was a little rough today. I was in a long sit position, practicing throwing my hands back to catch myself but one hand slipped and I fell back more that I wanted to before my therapist caught me, after that I lost a little bit of my confidence to continue with certain exercises. Hopefully tomorrow will be a new and better day.

[wheeliebear75]

You're bound to have things like that happen.....2 steps forward,1 step back....and every once in a while 1 step forward & 2 back.....but in the end they all add up & you'll be stronger in the end in more ways than one.

[qbounce]

Hi Taylor, I totally know how you feel when you mentioned not having any more privacy, ESPECIALLY at the hospital! -lol

Just keep your focus on all the new ways you'll be doing things through therapy, and you'll be out of the hospital in no time, and back to some regular form of private life.

[mellowgator]

hi taylor,

i'm the same level injury as you as well. i was injured when i was 25 just 3 weeks after i got married. i have now been injured half my life. i have had a good life and have gone on to have kids and a happy marriage and a good life. the first 5 years were the hardest because you have to rethink how you are going to do everything. but once you become used to the new you it gets easier.

i've been in your shoes and if you have any question please ask.


mellowgator

[megatrig]

I know it all seems a bit of a nightmare now but...................

I was there 23 years ago now! How time flies by!!

Sadly repeating the phrase .. TIME, ETC ... naf, annoying phrase but true!

Each day things will get easier. You will get more indepance back. Privacy too.

You will find out life in a wheelchair, bladder and bowels are things that don't run your life!

Skin, ohhhhhhhhh everything is a concern at present I guess!!

In a while .. Don't set exact times .. you will make progress.

For your level.. Get as strong and fit as you can that makes a big difference!

Ask questions here as we all have the been there done that t-shirt. So in a nicer way hopefully we can give useful pointers!

[rollingtrouble]

We've all been there buddy, it DOES get better. Just hang in there...

[sh1wn]

Welcome Taylor

[bucsaringer]

Welcome to the site Taylor, as you have already found out, there are a lot of wonderful people on this site, who will bend over backwards to answer your questions. This is a great place to get anything and everything off your chest. Work, Work, Work!

[skeetie]

Hi, I am a c7-t1 incomplete since 2008. I'm pretty new to the site
and have had so many of my questions answered by the lovely people on this site.
WELCOME

Edited by skeetie, 04 June 2011 - 06:27 PM.

[cas]

Hi and welcome. Sorry you are having to join us on this forum!!! But it's the best place!!!!

[Taylor818]

Hey all, hope you're having a good night (or day), my question for now is how do you best take care of your skin? Mine is so dry no matter what I do and I would just love any feedback. Thanks so much!!

[isobar]

Taylor818, on 05 June 2011 - 02:31 AM, said:

Hey all, hope you're having a good night (or day), my question for now is how do you best take care of your skin? Mine is so dry no matter what I do and I would just love any feedback. Thanks so much!!

Are you properly hydrated ..... water is essential the lack of it can cause dryness. I posted a thread under the General Spinal Cord topic called Foods For Better Skin. Do a search for skin care.

[Stickman]

I've noticed whenever im in the hospital my skin gets all dry and i get a rash on my face, i think it's the soap they use. Hope therapy is getting better for you. I grew up in Delray Beach, I hear they take care of people pretty well down there.