8 replies to this topic

[Dennis Q]

Everyone,

This accident 5 weeks ago as indeed turned my world upside down. At this point the medical people are telling me that my wife might never come home because of the extend of her lung problems, tach that is in place, and that she will need 24 hour care.

How does other people make this work?

[goose]

Sorry to hear about your wife! Without knowing all her circumstances pretaining to her lungs, there are vent dependent people who do live at home. Is she now in a spinal center rehab.? I see you're from Tn....Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta is excellant. They deal with tachs daily and are great at weaning sci patients from them. I would first concentrate on matters at hand right now. At least give Shepherd a call and get a second opinion. These next 4 to 5 months are crucial in how the rest of her life will be. I'm a c4/c5 and did go to Shepherd. At first I could not move anything but with alot of hard work and their help, I can now move both arms. Please feel free to personal msg. me if I can help in any way.

[mellowgator]

i'm not so sure i believe that you wife won't get better. she's only been injured 5 weeks.

you need to get your wife to sheppard. if she's not in a rehab hospital she's not getting the best care.

are you running out of insurance and getting kicked out of the hospital? i'm a quad and i spent 4 months in a spinal rehab. now a days it seem like everybody is getting sent home much sooner than that.

best of luck to you. stay positive. it's going to be ok. please call sheppard asap.



mellowgator

[biggdoggpa]

Never give up and never let the docs mislead you!!! stay positive best of luck to you and your wife and family!!! please give some more details so the members can better help you!!!

[lynne]

I'm very sorry to hear about your wife. It is a very traumatic time for everybody involved, but believe me things will get better for her and you. My son who was injured at 17 years old and who is now 23 years old is a C2/C3 complete quad and had a trach for over 12 months. We were told the very same that he would need it for the rest of his life but Rehab here in Dublin, Ireland were absolutely fantastic and he eventually was weaned off it. He is now in indepdent living and lives life to the full, goes on holiday and is now in a relationship with one of his ex-nurses. Five weeks is still very early and the body is still healing itself. If you want any other advice feel free to PM me. At this stage I honestly can say my son has never been happier.

[coffeecups]

My family was told the same thing, that I may never wean off the vent. But in rehab I was able to wean off the vent. I did go home with the trache. I need it for auctioning due to damage to my lungs. But I breathe on my. You want to get your wife to a spinal rehab hospital. It is still very early in her injury.

[Tetracyclone]

Dennis,

Keep in mind they said she MAY never... etc.Medical people think they are doing you a favor preparing for the worst possible. It s much more LIKELY that she will improve and be able to wean from the vent. Many learn to use their arms at least some.

Hell, most of us struggled with lung problems at the beginning. You will be in our prayers.

[Simba]

Tetracyclone, on 05 August 2011 - 08:45 PM, said:

Dennis,

Keep in mind they said she MAY never... etc.Medical people think they are doing you a favor preparing for the worst possible. It s much more LIKELY that she will improve and be able to wean from the vent. Many learn to use their arms at least some.

Hell, most of us struggled with lung problems at the beginning. You will be in our prayers.

Very good observation tetra, yes medical people like to prepare you for the worst. The word 'may' would indicate to me that at this point there is no certainty.

I hope she will recover all you can do is be there for her when she does. So remember to keep looking after yourself while you wait so you can be there for her. It's still so soon after her injury anything is possible.

[Niceparalegs]

Hey Dennis, my condolences in ref to your spouse. I was given a very bleak prognosis in dec after breaking 6 vert in my back & neck...i would never have sesory or mobility below my t11. Since then my prognosis has drastically changed. Please, Embrace hope and faith and be strong for her. I am so grateful for my husbands hope, faith, prayer and strength. God bless.