10 replies to this topic

[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;

Scispouse

[Adams]

I 'm not quite that low of an injury, though I can say that level of an injury can and should be fully independant. I have a good friend that is a C6 and he is almost fully independant.
Expect a rough road ahead for everybody while you all adjust to this. But know this, it can be done and unless he just wants to die (which at first he may think that way), will be done. He'll learn there's no other choice but to deal with this awful hand.
He definitly shouldn't need 24hour care and won't be a burden upon everybody, though he will likely feel like he is exactly that.

Stay strong, this can be overcome and life can still be enjoyable. Keep us up to date

Adam

[bgarber]

As a C6-7 for just over 20 yrs (I was in an auto accident when I was 24), I'll be more than happy to help w/ your questions, worries etc (and there will be LOTS of them). My main theme will be that while very tragic, in no way will this prevent him/you from living out a happy, fulfilling life (although it will certainly have plenty of speed bumps).

After leaving the rehab center, I had 24/7 care for 6 months, using a combination of my father, nurses & aides. As I got my strength back, got accustomed the the fact that everything took longer, more obstacles to overcome etc, my dad moved back home & I lived by myself, with aid help in mornings and evenings. Getting an adapted van gave me my independence back and allowed me to go to Grad school as a way of getting used to "the world" again. After 1 year an important moment in my life happened- my girlfriend of several years, who was VERY supportive during rehab, said that "it's been a year and I've gotten all the recovery I'm going to get, she couldn't do it any more" so she broke up w/ me. While crying in my beer (after figuring out how to open it myself) I promised myself i'd use that as motivation so that I was never a burden to anyone again.

To make a long story short, 20yrs later I'm now happily married w/ a 10yr old daughter, have worked as a Financial Advisor for 16+ years and have a very active, independent life. Is this the way I envisioned life-having the occasional bowel/bladder accidents, getting stuck in the mud (last week), depending on nurses for morning bowel care (who occasionally don't show)- NO. But it has opened up many other opportunities/experiences that I might not have had.
Good luck to you & him.
Brant

[icarus_melt76]

Agree with Adam and Brant. First year, at least, is such a shock, change and feeling utterly useless. These feelings in turn usually cause fights, etc. If he's fortunate, the hand use will return. Mine didn't but using wrist flexion and little tricks you learn....most things can be handled fairly well. Don't let the initial changes get you down. The body goes through lots of changes in the early years, mostly for the better. Most would agree it's a mind thing! Trying to remain strong both physically and emotionally is so very, very difficult. There are good days and bad, but staying on his own for 12 hours at least should be alright. It's just a start. Good luck!

Edited by icarus_melt76, 18 January 2007 - 07:26 PM.

[InLoveWithLML]

Welcome you have come to the right place for the answers to all your questions. I am Taey and I am the friend of a C6 quadriplegic who is very independent, he drives, works at a regular job, goes places and does things very well on his own. I think that everyones's body and situation are different but give things sometime and I am sure that he will regain some functions! And specific questions just feel free to ask! And again Welcome!

[zeta]

I have only been c6-c7 for a year it was one hard adjustment. It took me almost three months to regain enough use of my triceps to propel my chair. I needed 24/7 care for about 6 months before my husband trusted me to leave me for short periods. I am close to being independent and he leaves for longer periods but since I had trouble with spasms pushing my butt out of my chair we make sure a neighbor is home to help. The last month my spasms have been so much better maybe my doc finally got my meds right. You have a long road ahead but lifes never easy. Motivate him, support him everything is possible he just has to find a new way to do it.

[scispouse]

Thank you to everyone. This type of information really helps -- you have no idea. I've been really strong for him -- trying to help to keep him motivated and to show him that life is not over. He will still be able to "walk" his daughter down the aisle when she is old enough and ready to get married, you know, life's little moments that can make it great. I read him all of the responses that came in and right afterwards the nurse came in. He started to tease her -- showing his old personality and he smiled for the first time in a week and a half. It did my heart good to see that.

You are all so inspirational and I thank you. I never, in a million years, thought I would be down this road. I'm not even thinking that any of the next year will be easy, but I definitely feel better about his future.

Sincerely;

Scispouse

[wheeliebear75]

I'm sorry if this response seems inappropriate, I know you'd asked for help from the "C group". I'm L2, however I do live in the US and there is something you should know about IHSS In Home Support Services. It's available in all 50 states. He should be able to be left alone while you are at work. Our fridge is very tall so what we do is make sure drinks and lunch are low enough for me, and a call here and there. In his case (depending on hand mobility) it may be you'll have to have it premade, drinks in plastic bottles with EASY OPEN tops like the water bottles often have. Try doing things without using your fingers to help (if he's gonna have minimal finger use). Things are always hardest in the begging. It's good that you are at least still willing to be an important part of his recovery....moral support is important. PS I used to get angry at anyone who could walk in....so if you encounter any of that kind of thing just try to let it go like water off a duck's back.
Best of luck to you both.

scispouse, on Jan 18 2007, 04:45 PM, 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;

Scispouse

[qmr]

wheeliebear75, on Jan 19 2007, 02:33 AM, said:

I'm sorry if this response seems inappropriate, I know you'd asked for help from the "C group". I'm L2, however I do live in the US and there is something you should know about IHSS In Home Support Services. It's available in all 50 states. He should be able to be left alone while you are at work. Our fridge is very tall so what we do is make sure drinks and lunch are low enough for me, and a call here and there. In his case (depending on hand mobility) it may be you'll have to have it premade, drinks in plastic bottles with EASY OPEN tops like the water bottles often have. Try doing things without using your fingers to help (if he's gonna have minimal finger use). Things are always hardest in the begging. It's good that you are at least still willing to be an important part of his recovery....moral support is important. PS I used to get angry at anyone who could walk in....so if you encounter any of that kind of thing just try to let it go like water off a duck's back.
Best of luck to you both.

scispouse, on Jan 18 2007, 04:45 PM, 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;

Scispouse

Hi,

My friends case is very similar to like your husband, how is he now? wht abt fingers and leg movments? Any progress?

[scispouse]

qmr, on Jan 20 2007, 04:55 AM, said:

wheeliebear75, on Jan 19 2007, 02:33 AM, said:

I'm sorry if this response seems inappropriate, I know you'd asked for help from the "C group". I'm L2, however I do live in the US and there is something you should know about IHSS In Home Support Services. It's available in all 50 states. He should be able to be left alone while you are at work. Our fridge is very tall so what we do is make sure drinks and lunch are low enough for me, and a call here and there. In his case (depending on hand mobility) it may be you'll have to have it premade, drinks in plastic bottles with EASY OPEN tops like the water bottles often have. Try doing things without using your fingers to help (if he's gonna have minimal finger use). Things are always hardest in the begging. It's good that you are at least still willing to be an important part of his recovery....moral support is important. PS I used to get angry at anyone who could walk in....so if you encounter any of that kind of thing just try to let it go like water off a duck's back.
Best of luck to you both.

scispouse, on Jan 18 2007, 04:45 PM, 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;

Scispouse

Hi,

My friends case is very similar to like your husband, how is he now? wht abt fingers and leg movments? Any progress?

[color=#000099]Response: thanks for the advice -- I did not think it was inappropriate for you to respond in the least. It's good to know that I will likely have to find in home nursing assistance for at least 6 months after he finishes rehab. I did not know this -- I thought that he would be ready for some independence upon his release from the rehabilitation hospital. I am hungry for any information, so thank you.

His progress is VERY slow right now. He was supposed to go to the rehabilitation hospital yesterday (Friday), but he came down with a fever from a UTI, which is very common. But, he was really bummed, as was I. So, we are looking at Monday for his release. He is very weak and his arms still really hurt a lot. He is not yet moving his fingers. He can feel them, but cannot move them. We are not sure if movement (not counting on full dexterity) will return. I am hopeful, but cautiously.

Thanks to all who offered responses and advice. It's been invaluable to me. I will one day be able to return the favor.

Sincerely;

Scispouse

[Adams]

Just because we're saying he may need assistance does not mean he actually will. I had assistance when I first came out of the hospital. I think back to it and don't know why I did? She was more a baby sitter than anything else.
I think we're coddled too much when were released from the hospital. We should be pushed more to do things our on own as opposed to having somenone help.
Here's a good piece advice: They're gonna push adaptive equipment (like sponges with handles for bathing OR food untensils with big handles) on him to make things easier on him. I say try to adapt to the situation instead of using something new and adapting to it.
Things are definitely harder at first so it's very easy to succumb to anything that is going to make things easier. The mental anguish will be his biggest challenge.

Also, his weakness should improve. Certainly, I'm no doc, but after time he'll get strength back and hopefully some hand control, though with his level I'm not sure.

Stay strong

Adam

Edited by Adams, 21 January 2007 - 04:13 PM.