18 replies to this topic

[Milica]

Helo,
My name is Milica. I was injured by falling down the stairs, May 24th. I was in comma 3 days and after I woke up I found that I hardly can feel my legs, and cannot move them at all. My urine was out of control too. They first told me that my injury is L3-incomplete, but one week later, after the surgery (I got metal clamp for my L3 and L2 vertebrae) I had full neurological test, and got another classification: L3/L2-paraplegic-incomplete. However, some limited movement of my right quadriceps muscle was possible but not enough to move my calf. I was moved to rehabilitation hospital to continue my recovery.
After two weeks, one morning I woke up with strange feeling. After I return to complete consciousness, I noticed that I lost all feelings in my left leg (before I had some feeling at back side of both legs). I had another neurological test, but results were worse. Now, they found that I am L3/T11-incomplete, and there was some dislocation between T11 and T12 vertebrae. I had another surgery and another clamp.
It more than one month ago, and I finished occupational therapy, and continue with physio therapies daily, but there is no any improvement. Situation is still the same as one month ago. Two times they try to erect me up, between two bars, with help of braces, but it was unsuccessful. I have one more week already paid for the hospital, but I am wondering what to do. To continue with therapies which are not giving results, or to give up and continue normal life.
I want to point out that I got very good skill in using wheelchair and I feel "on my own".

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[Smileyblue]

Welcome Milica.. ;-)

I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune and loss of function/feeling.. don't rush to see improvements, they take time.. If I was you I would stay with Rehab for as long as possible, and since its already paid for, there doesn't seem to be any negative to doing so, only benefits!

Good luck.. ;-)

[qbounce]

I agree with SB.
Take the therapy while it's offered to you.
Once your standing therapy is done, then you can continue another therapy in the wheel chair.

[Soryfam]

Hi. Welcome to the forum--sorry that you have a reason to be here.

I'd keep with the therapy. The first year or two can bring many changes. Keep at it, and you may see some improvement. No quarantees, but definately worth the effort.

Sandy

[Tatiana]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Keep going with the rehab,imsure it will be worth it in the long run.

Its a difficult time for you at the mo, coming to terms with the 'new' you.
You may feel alone but you arent, your thoughts, fears, frustrations have/will been/be shared by almost every person on this forum.

They/I are also living testament that life goes on after a spinal cord injury...so work towards getting yourself stronger, then go home and focus on building a positive life with all the experiences to look forward to.....as you would before...with an adjusting tweak here and there

[wheeliebear75]

Hello, welcome, & pretty much what the others said.

[sh1wn]

Welcome, sorry your here. Keep up the therapy as long as you can.

[ZEN12many]

Hi Milika

Like others have said, recovery can take 12 to 18 months or longer. Of course, there isn't any guarantee. Give yourself some time.

Keep up the physical therapy as long as you can and then keep up the excercises when you no longer are in therapy.

Wish you well.

[goose]

Hi Milika

You've been through alot and with sci you never can tell what kind of return you may get. The harder you work in the beginning...the better you'll be in the future. Even if the process doesn't seem to be working, keep up the therapy. Small gains will pay off big dividends.

[greybeard]

Hi Milica. Welcome to the forum.

[Milica]

Thanks for support and recommendations. You can say again that I have to be patient, but... if it would took 18-24 months to become able to make few steps with braces and crutches, is it worth of the effort (and money, of course!)? I am a student, and my next semester starts in September, so I am afraid I would not be able to continue rehab parallel with all my obligation at the university. Isn't better to concentrate to adapt to the life in wheelchair as much as I can? I am already quite skilled, but still may new things to learn...
Maybe I am wrong, but I am afraid dreaming about been able to walk again can make me to be double disappointed if, after long time of efforts, result would not be satisfactory? Is there any statistical data about success rate of patients with injury similar to mine? I asked doctors million of times, but they never want to give me clear answers to simple questions...

[dangerousdave]

You have got 2 years to put in as much work as possible to gain as much as possible
Your going to college and don't have much monies

So use the college facilities
Gym and pool
Go to it

[McTavish]

Welcome,welcome, welcome

[isobar]

Welcome aboard.

[sherbs]

Hello, and welcome

[Steven K]

Hi Milica, stay in rehab as much as possible, miss a semester at school, big deal. Having semiworking legs makes wheelchair life a million times easier, trust me I know. I know you can do it, good luck

[wheeliebear75]

Do all the rehab hrs they'll allow & make up for what they don't with your own doing ROM and such (PT approved of course).....utilize that 2yr window for what it's worth.....but mentally speaking yes being prepared to figure out how to function in a wheelchair is very much HEALTHY.....and you can still do both.

[dom]

Hiya milica hope you feel welcome

[StillFingers]

Welcome to the forum Milica! As others have said, continue rehabbing, leverage everything and everyone possible to get stronger and more sure of your abilities...be well and seeya round the forum.

Jerry