4 replies to this topic

[Travoism]

First, a little bit about what happened and where we're at right now. My brother was involved in a skydiving accident 2 weeks ago today. He somehow managed to break his neck @ C2. The spinal cord is not severed, but he still had significant injury including bone fragments that penetrated his spinal cord. At this point ending week 2 and beginning week 3, he is still in the ICU. He is able to feel pressure in his lower back when he needs to have a bowel movement and he has many mixed signals and phantom pains regarding the orientation of his arms and legs. Sometimes he says he feels like his legs are crossed or his arms are across his chest, but his arms are always straight down by his sides and his legs also straight down from his hips. He also says he feels pressure on his chest from time to time. All of that said, we are still hoping that he will recover some use of his arms and/or legs, but realize the odds are that this won't happen. One thing we are concerned about and very hopeful for, though, is that he might have the ability to breath on his own again; as of right now he is flly ventilator dependent and unable to eat or drink for fear of aspiration. My question is how likely is it that he might gain any diaphragm function and what do we need to tell him as far as his odds of regaining any functions at all? It is very difficult at the moment because he didn't suffer any brain injury at all and is alert and fully cognitive mentally. A fully functional brain within a completely disabled body.

Thank you,

Travois Madden

[Edinburgh Colin]

It is very, very early in his recovery to be making any kind of predictions. The shock to the system can carry on for a few more weeks before you will be able to see any kind of trend in his responses. At this time he needs to just rest and allow his body to get over the assault it has sustained and then hopefully he can start to activley try and improve his situation.
Until then all you can really do is be supportive and keep him company and try and help in to not get bored, active mind, inactive body as you said!

[Travoism]

Thanks for the reply, Colin. We've had a family member with Chad around the clock since he awoke from neck surgery. As you said, he does have a long ways to go as we have witnessed first hand tonight. Just about an hour ago his heart rate dropped under 40bpm and his O2 saturation dropped all the way to 78%. Of course, I was a little more than concerned as you could imagine. The cardiologist was called about the situation and he stated that the problem is neurological in nature. The respiratory therapist was in the room and verified that the vent is working correctly. Even after 4 days of no serious episodes, tonight has shown us that we are still not out of the woods yet. He has been unbelievably courageous through this so far, but I am afraid that I don't know how much MY heart can take. We are praying he will stabilize soon!

Thanks again for your reply. I will be sure to post here with his progress. I am so glad I found this site!

[Tatiana]

Hi Trav'
Good that you found this place where many have travellled the similar path to that of your brother's and your self along with family members.

As Colin rightly says, there is a long way yet to go...i wish all the best for your brother , yourself and those supporting him.

You will find the inner strength you need...keep posting with progress updates and take the support from members here,..and thankyou for posting

ffion x

[Parachute]

Hi Travoism

Welcome to the forum.

If I was you. I would not tell your brother anything YET. What do you need to tell him? I am sure that in a months time the medical team will tell him more about his condition.

I am C4 incomplete. I walk. I don't think it would have down well with me if someone had ever said to me, I may not ever walk again.

Wait out and just wait and see what happens. To tell the truth, no one knows with spinal cord injuries how a patient will recover. As Colin mentioned, your brother's body is in shock. This shock could last between 4-6 weeks.

Good luck to you and your family over the next month or so. Use this website to find out as much as you can. Most of all, good luck to your brother.


Parachute

Edited by Parachute, 30 March 2012 - 08:09 AM.