[scispouse]

My story: my husband and I have been separated for about 6 months now, very amicable and mutually decided upon. No third parties were involved, and we remain excellent friends. I received a phone call 1-1/2 weeks ago from the hospital telling me to come immediately. He had been driving his Jeep softtop to work and hit a patch of ice, slid into the other lane where he collided with an oncoming car. The force of the collision made his seat go into a reclined position and he was then ejected through the back plastic window when the car spun, flew 20 feet, and landed on the grass, which likely saved him from dying immediately.

He is a C6 C7 fracture, with severe nerve damage. He has not been able to feel or move anything below the middle of his chest. I don't expect that he will regain the use of his legs. I am most concerned about his finger movement. He can move his arms, but since the triceps control the finger movement and the C7 controls the triceps, he has feeling, but no movement.

He is about to be released to a rehabilitation hospital in Philadelphia -- one of the best, from what I understand. I have no idea what to expect or what his future holds. I have already decided that, although he is more than welcome to come back and live in my house after rehabilitation, I cannot be his 24/7 caregiver. Can C6 C7 injury patients be left alone for 8 hours a day, or will he need a daytime nurse? Will he regain any independent functions?

I am curious to hear from other C6 C7 injury patients or spouses, or significant others to see how you have made it through. I am beside myself with wanting to help him, but scared to think of the future.

Any help/advice would be well received.

Sincerely;

Scisouse

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

Hello! Although my injury is not nearly as high as his is, I do have a good friend who is a quad and over time have learned various things about his care needs.... For those first few months, he is going to need to have someone come in for his day to day care. At least until he re-learns how to do these basic things for himself...My best advice would be to contact your county office and find out if they offer a IHSS or (In-home Care Support Services) program. They should be able to send sombody every morning to help him with the basics; bathing, cleaning, cooking...ect. This will help to alleviate some of the physical and emotional stresses he'll be going through. Also, please let him know if he ever needs anyone to talk to, we're allways here for him.

Cheers, christiaan

This post has been edited by Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO): 18 January 2007 - 06:21 PM

[bunkalar]

I'm a c6/7 Quad. I have been injured for 2 and a half years now. You mentioned he is going to be a very good rehab hospital. If that is so he should learn a lot about his injury and what he is going to need to do when he gets out. I'm sure there would be people at the rehab hospital that would be willing to answer any of your questions. Typically with a c6/7 injury there is no sensation or movement below the armpits. Also no finger movement. There should be wrist movement which will help him be able to manipulate his fingers so that they can still be used a little. He may or may not be able to use his triceps. I have the use of my left tricep and partial use of my right. The first couple weeks after my accident I can barely lift my arm to scratch my head but now I have become quite independent with practice. I have an aide that comes and helps you with my shower and getting dressed and up in the morning but that I am on my own the rest of the day. I can even get myself into bed. But it takes a lot of practice. But I am also only 24 years old and I have a lot of energy. I also need help with my bowel program every other morning. It will be a tough road at first. When he gets home he should be able to get help from a home health care agency. They should be able to help him with his morning routine and also getting to bed at night if he wishes. He should also be able to get nursing care. You seem like a very nice person and I think it's wonderful that you care so much. I wish you the best. God bless. Oh and one more thing, there is also a chance that he could regain movement and sensation below his injury.

[gsp23]

One thought for you and this is not going to tell you all of what you need to know BUT... watch the movie calld Murderball. It is about the US Paralymic Quad Rugby team and there are guys on there with similar injuries. I think Zupan actually is C6/7 and you can see how some of them can get around. If you never knew anyone in that position this movie can actually give you some hope by seeing real life quads doing day to day activities and playing a physical game too. It doesnt give a lot of the backend stuff about bowel care, etc and of course your ex may not regain the same abilities but seeing quads change their pants, go swiming, just sitting around talking about things like sex life and of course playing a physical game just seems really cool if you dont know anything quads are new to this world.

In a good rehab unit they will show him what he needs to do and will train him to do as much as he can. They will be willing to talk to you about things as well such as helping with stretches, etc that can be very helpful if you want to help out within things such as that.

[elisabeth]

A close friend of mine who I met in rehab is a C5 quadriplegic and he works three days a week and stays home the other four days a week. The days when he is at home by himself he is fine for more than eight hours at a time. I think at your husband's level as well he might be able to find a way to empty his own catheter which is the most important thing, and that's if he gets an SPC of course (suprapubic catheter)

[KimAndSophie]

 scispouse, on Jan 18 2007, 11:31 AM, said:

My story: my husband and I have been separated for about 6 months now, very amicable and mutually decided upon. No third parties were involved, and we remain excellent friends. I received a phone call 1-1/2 weeks ago from the hospital telling me to come immediately. He had been driving his Jeep softtop to work and hit a patch of ice, slid into the other lane where he collided with an oncoming car. The force of the collision made his seat go into a reclined position and he was then ejected through the back plastic window when the car spun, flew 20 feet, and landed on the grass, which likely saved him from dying immediately.

He is a C6 C7 fracture, with severe nerve damage. He has not been able to feel or move anything below the middle of his chest. I don't expect that he will regain the use of his legs. I am most concerned about his finger movement. He can move his arms, but since the triceps control the finger movement and the C7 controls the triceps, he has feeling, but no movement.

He is about to be released to a rehabilitation hospital in Philadelphia -- one of the best, from what I understand. I have no idea what to expect or what his future holds. I have already decided that, although he is more than welcome to come back and live in my house after rehabilitation, I cannot be his 24/7 caregiver. Can C6 C7 injury patients be left alone for 8 hours a day, or will he need a daytime nurse? Will he regain any independent functions?

I am curious to hear from other C6 C7 injury patients or spouses, or significant others to see how you have made it through. I am beside myself with wanting to help him, but scared to think of the future.

Any help/advice would be well received.

Sincerely;

Scisouse

Hi,

Sorry to hear about what happened, but if he works hard enough and believes he can do it I think he can live independently (or at least with some help for some personal care things). I've been a c6 complete since Oct. 4 2004. I've also been totally blind since birth. I've lived on my own most of the time since I got out of rehab in a different part of Canada than my family. I moved to the US in Dec. and I now live with my finance. I'm alone half of the time because he travels a lot. I do everything myself. I do need some help sometimes with things like transfering into cars and getting a little push up hills, but I can live independently and do all of my "personal care" things. I take care of my guide dog, do the grocery shopping, run my own buisness, and I'm planing on buying a racing chair within the next few months so I can start racing. Sorry to ramble, but I just wanted to make a point here.

I was told in the hospital that I would have to give up my guide dog, use a power chair and live in a nursing home or group home for the rest of my life. I didn't even consider any of this remotely close to an option, and worked hard until I was using a manual chair and working with my guide dog.

Tell him not to give up and not to take what the Dr.'s and rehab staff tell him as "fact". I mean if they say he will "only be able to do" whatever, he should look at it as a goal for now and when he is doing whatever they said, keep pushing further. Don't put a limit on goals.

Sorry this post is so long. I hope this helped a little and I hope both of you are doing well.



Kim & Sophie

[scispouse]

Thanks everyone, for the inspriration......every once in a while, I need some.

His doctor and Therapists (PT and OT) think that he is doing fantastic. He has the perfect body type to possibly learn to transfer on his own. But, with a lot of time and practice. The only thing against him right now is his age (40). Not that this is old, necessarily, it just gets harder. His spirits are amazing -- he has handled this far better than I had ever imagined. I know he realizes that he is unbelievably lucky to be alive. All indications (from a medical standpoint) are that he should not have survived.

He's still working on building his strength. I know that everyone is different, but when does strength start to return. He's so tired, all of the time. He's ready for a nap after something as simple as eating. Then again, I know that nothing is simple for him right now.

His release date appears to be in about 4 weeks. It's still a little scary for me, but he can't wait to "get back to normal".

I have high hopes for him, but it's only been a month since his accident. He has regained a lot of sensation from his injury point down, but spasms are now problematic. He also regained the tiniest bit of movement in his right thumb and pinkie. I hope that this continues to develop into real movement and grip -- it would be huge, for all of us. I never thought that I would get so excited over something as small as that. Funny how life changes.

I hope, for his sake, that he will not always have to live with me. For now, it will be the perfect arrangement for him -- he can see his kids everyday, and he has us to help him. But, in the long term, I hope that he can regain his independence.

Thanks for the Murderball movie recommendation. I had heard of it when it first came out. I am going to put it on my Netflix and we will watch it together.

Thanks again!

Scispouse

[Rose May]

 scispouse, on Feb 12 2007, 08:46 AM, said:

Thanks everyone, for the inspriration......every once in a while, I need some.

His doctor and Therapists (PT and OT) think that he is doing fantastic. He has the perfect body type to possibly learn to transfer on his own. But, with a lot of time and practice. The only thing against him right now is his age (40). Not that this is old, necessarily, it just gets harder. His spirits are amazing -- he has handled this far better than I had ever imagined. I know he realizes that he is unbelievably lucky to be alive. All indications (from a medical standpoint) are that he should not have survived.

He's still working on building his strength. I know that everyone is different, but when does strength start to return. He's so tired, all of the time. He's ready for a nap after something as simple as eating. Then again, I know that nothing is simple for him right now.

His release date appears to be in about 4 weeks. It's still a little scary for me, but he can't wait to "get back to normal".

I have high hopes for him, but it's only been a month since his accident. He has regained a lot of sensation from his injury point down, but spasms are now problematic. He also regained the tiniest bit of movement in his right thumb and pinkie. I hope that this continues to develop into real movement and grip -- it would be huge, for all of us. I never thought that I would get so excited over something as small as that. Funny how life changes.

I hope, for his sake, that he will not always have to live with me. For now, it will be the perfect arrangement for him -- he can see his kids everyday, and he has us to help him. But, in the long term, I hope that he can regain his independence.

Thanks for the Murderball movie recommendation. I had heard of it when it first came out. I am going to put it on my Netflix and we will watch it together.

Thanks again!

Scispouse

Hi...

thanks for sharing your stories... my boyfriend who is a c6 complete asked me to join here and know more about his conditions. He wants to be sure if I truly love him ... I dont even think twice nor think about any thoughts of giving up...if u love somebody it doesnt matter if he cant walk nor move much...I never think that way though but I keep praying for Him that God will do a miracle in his life... prayers works.... coz I was a miracle baby and miracles still happens in my life and even witnessed to others too... only we need to have faith and right relationship with God... "all things work together for good to those who believe...
I dont know much yet about his condition but everyday I am reading informations and learning more... maybe some of u can share ...thanks and God bless you all.
Rose

[KarenFerguson]

My hubby is a C5 quad and is quite independent. Before he met me, he only had an aid come in the morning and then one come at night to help him in and out of bed and to do his bowel program certain mornings (sometimes the night aid would stay over night, so hubby would be sure a nurse would be there in the morning). Basically through out the day he was on his own to do whatever he pleased.

[allis53ca]

i'm 41 and c-5 complete w/no hand func., almost 5 years post, and live totally independent....so it can be done...its not easy by any means and i'd be happy to have occasional help but don't....he can live as independently as he decides

[qbounce]

Hi spouse,
It took me 2+ years to gain more strength in my good hand (C6-7 complete), and now I live alone, but have a caregiver in for a few hours each night. . .until I can get my fullroutine down. . . so I'm STILL working on it! The important thing is that he remain optimistic and continues doing for himself. I was 37 when injured, so age is similar. Just know that directly after the injury it's very hard to do anything, hold anything, pick up anyhing. But after a few months, with a little hand movement shown, things progress.
All the best to you

[Rose May]

 qbounce, on Mar 3 2008, 10:15 AM, said:

Hi spouse,
It took me 2+ years to gain more strength in my good hand (C6-7 complete), and now I live alone, but have a caregiver in for a few hours each night. . .until I can get my fullroutine down. . . so I'm STILL working on it! The important thing is that he remain optimistic and continues doing for himself. I was 37 when injured, so age is similar. Just know that directly after the injury it's very hard to do anything, hold anything, pick up anyhing. But after a few months, with a little hand movement shown, things progress.
All the best to you

Thanks so much ..he is 32 years old ... he has his tendon operation last January and he can move his thumb now.... could u tell more about ur injury and ur sensory motors. thanks so much
Rose

[qbounce]

Rose,
not exactly sure what you want to know when you asked about my sensory motors?
One hand is functional at approx. 30% it's normal strength, can open jars (or a bottle of wine ), dress, eat w/o the use of hand aids, etc. . . I still have a weak grip. But the first 6+ months I was using foam grips for utensils, and other devices. As far as below the belt, some sensation there too!!
Everyone is different. The first 2 years are the most important strength wise, so make sure when he's up and about that he's doing something, anything he can to get stronger physically, and mentally.
If You want me to get more concise about my experiences, please ask me anything in more detail. . . I'm not shy (after 200+ people have seen me naked in the hospital, from the beginning of my stay until discharge, I threw modesty out the window a long time ago).

Good luk to you.

[Rose May]

 qbounce, on Mar 4 2008, 03:05 AM, said:

Rose,
not exactly sure what you want to know when you asked about my sensory motors?
One hand is functional at approx. 30% it's normal strength, can open jars (or a bottle of wine ), dress, eat w/o the use of hand aids, etc. . . I still have a weak grip. But the first 6+ months I was using foam grips for utensils, and other devices. As far as below the belt, some sensation there too!!
Everyone is different. The first 2 years are the most important strength wise, so make sure when he's up and about that he's doing something, anything he can to get stronger physically, and mentally.
If You want me to get more concise about my experiences, please ask me anything in more detail. . . I'm not shy (after 200+ people have seen me naked in the hospital, from the beginning of my stay until discharge, I threw modesty out the window a long time ago).

Good luck to you.

Hi am want to ask some personal questions, I knew u will answer me but I dont know how far I can ask here that anyone would read or ignore me... can I ask u in private and just email me... duchesshasina@gmail.com

thanks a lot....