8 replies to this topic

[Redbay]

First things first, I am not someone that has a SCI, I am extremely new to this and I don't want to offend anyone if I say something wrong in this message. I am trying to learn more.

I met someone online that says they are a c2-c3 complete quad, they have been very open about it and letting me ask anything I want to about this condition. During our conversations I was told that they had 2 plates and disks removed after the injury as well as that entire section of spinal cord where the plates and disks were removed and it was all replaced with a metal rod.

What I want to ask is would a Dr/Surgeon actually permanently remove a section of someone spinal cord?

For some reason this sound highly unlikely to me considering that one day in the future there might be some kind of treatment to relieve this persons condition. I'm sorry I don't know much more than I have told you all about right now.

As I said this person has been very open about it and let me ask what I want to but I conversations seem to revolve around this persons condition and I feel somewhat guilty about it even though I have tried to change the subject we always end up right back where we started, I have never met and talked to anyone that was paralyzed before and I am just wondering

Is this normal after first meeting someone for the first.

I'm not sure what else to say at the moment but any comments or advice would be helpful please,
Thank you in advance

If I have offended by this message I am truly sorry for doing so it s not my intention for doing so, I am just trying to learn more and be a true friend to this person.

[Redbay]

I'm sorry if these are stupid questions but I really want to know. I hope someone will reply soon to this

Edited by Redbay, 02 June 2007 - 07:07 AM.

[juls]

Hi Redbay,

I've never hear of a surgeon removing a section of the spinal cord either!?
I'm a c6/c7 incomplete and also had a neck fusion. My surgeon removed my broken/splintered vertabrae then put titanium in there..spinal cord still intact.

As for your conversation always leading back to there sci, I never do this. If someone asks me something, i'll tell them but that's it. I'd prefer the focus to not be on the fact that i'm in a chair. If anything I go out of my way to make everyone forget the chair and all the problems that come with it.

Sorry..I haven't helped at all but just wanted to reply so you know that you haven't offended anyway..it may just be a difficult question to answer.
I'm sure everyone here will do thier best at helping you though.

Love juls

[Redbay]

Thank you for the reply Juls

As far as the conversation always leading back to SCI it just happens for some reason, I don't know why, I just want to be this persons friend,disabled or not, I could really care less what we talk about when we are talking.

However this person is the first person I have ever met and talked to that has a SCI, it might be part of the reason why we keep ending up back there, its the only thing I can think of.

Although years ago my dad was in a car accident and he was told with the injury he had he was extremely lucky he wasn't paralyzed and they had never seen a case like his that didn't end up in paralysis, the only thing he has from it is a slight numb feeling in the little finger of his right hand that won't go away. Other than that he is completely fine today.

But to anyone else that can comment on my earlier questions, I would appreciate it

Thanks again

Edited by Redbay, 02 June 2007 - 07:07 AM.

[Adrian]

I too have never heard of any surgeon removing a complete section of the spinal cord. I'm not saying that it hasn't been done but I can't see what the benefit is of doing that. Removing disks fair enough but removing entire vertibrae aswell and replacing with a metal rod, I don't think so.

It could be that he's confused about what the doctors have done to him so it might not be as suspicious as it first sounds. Their are a few fakers/devotees around, we've had a couple on this board, so I would definately be wary.

Also, a C2-3 complete quad will, most likely, be on a ventalator so that's another thing to check. Also a C2 quad won't have hand function so if you've met them online, and I presume you have a chat session going, how does the other person 'type'? They might have a text-to-speach program going but it's another thing to ask if you are still not sure.

Adrian.

[brackman22]

I agree with juls and Adrian. Rarely will I purposely avoid other topics to talk about my injury. When the topic comes up I will offer a little info and usually will not go further unless the person needs me to elaborate. Also, my spinal cord was not removed. I can think of no conceivable reason to remove the cord. The person you are talking to is behaving mighty peculiar. How old is this person and how long have they been injure? That may ofer a little insight. I recommend just keeping your ears open for things that don't make sense. A c2-3 complete can chew and talk. Sounds harsh but true. They can't move anything or feel it.

BRETT

[Redbay]

Adrian, on Jun 2 2007, 08:21 AM, said:

I too have never heard of any surgeon removing a complete section of the spinal cord. I'm not saying that it hasn't been done but I can't see what the benefit is of doing that. Removing disks fair enough but removing entire vertibrae aswell and replacing with a metal rod, I don't think so.

It could be that he's confused about what the doctors have done to him so it might not be as suspicious as it first sounds. Their are a few fakers/devotees around, we've had a couple on this board, so I would definately be wary.

Also, a C2-3 complete quad will, most likely, be on a ventalator so that's another thing to check. Also a C2 quad won't have hand function so if you've met them online, and I presume you have a chat session going, how does the other person 'type'? They might have a text-to-speach program going but it's another thing to ask if you are still not sure.

Adrian.

First of all Thank you to all those that have responded to this.

The reason I asked my question in the first place was because I thought she may have been confused about what the surgeon did. Just to be clear, she said that they didn't remove the entire cord just a small section of it where the injuries took place, but I still think this is highly unlikely

The person I have been chatting with is a woman, she is on a ventilator although she says she can barely breathe on her own without it, so they keep her on it. At first I was worried she may have been a faker, but I really don't think so anymore, but I have very limited knowledge on the subject, thats why I wanted to ask others about this. The removal of the spinal cord itself is the only thing so far that I have doubted so far.

Yes I have had chat sessions with her and I have asked, she uses voice control and dictation software to be able to control the computer and chat with people.

brackman22, on Jun 2 2007, 09:56 AM, said:

I agree with juls and Adrian. Rarely will I purposely avoid other topics to talk about my injury. When the topic comes up I will offer a little info and usually will not go further unless the person needs me to elaborate. Also, my spinal cord was not removed. I can think of no conceivable reason to remove the cord. The person you are talking to is behaving mighty peculiar. How old is this person and how long have they been injure? That may ofer a little insight. I recommend just keeping your ears open for things that don't make sense. A c2-3 complete can chew and talk. Sounds harsh but true. They can't move anything or feel it.

BRETT

Brett, she is 26 and had her injury for 7 years. I chat a lot online to just about anyone that wants to but I always try to keep a eye out for fakers. I know she can chew and talk and can't move or feel anything below her neck.

I can't think of anything else to offer at the moment, but if anyone has question on it feel free to ask. I have been doing a lot of reading up on the subject since I met her trying to learn as much as I can. I'm aware I will never know what she goes through on a day to day basis unless I suffer an injury also (God Forbid) but I am trying to understand and learn as much as I can.

Again thank you to everyone that has responded so far and those that will respond in the future.

[cate]

Hi . I am new to this site, thought I would introduce myself, so you know that I am not just lookings. to add to the remarks on this topic. my daughter is c5 and6 , had the discs removed and rods put in, and bone harvestered from the hip, she is lucky that she can walk with crutches, but has other problems, like brown sequard syndrom and lymphodeama, Her spinal cord is completely flattened and no chance of regeneration. she is able to work not full time, and lives on her own, with me on call.
Perhaps the lady you are talking to, needs to keep explaining as maybe she is lonely , and finding somebody who is interested in her flattering. I do not know just a thought, as she maybe is living a very isolated situation, has she family etc around her,
Cate

[Redbay]

cate, on Jun 3 2007, 11:02 AM, said:

Hi . I am new to this site, thought I would introduce myself, so you know that I am not just lookings. to add to the remarks on this topic. my daughter is c5 and6 , had the discs removed and rods put in, and bone harvestered from the hip, she is lucky that she can walk with crutches, but has other problems, like brown sequard syndrom and lymphodeama, Her spinal cord is completely flattened and no chance of regeneration. she is able to work not full time, and lives on her own, with me on call.
Perhaps the lady you are talking to, needs to keep explaining as maybe she is lonely , and finding somebody who is interested in her flattering. I do not know just a thought, as she maybe is living a very isolated situation, has she family etc around her,
Cate

She says she does have have family and friends that do visit her. But she did say she wanted to start chatting online but thats about it. I don't know much other than what I have already mentioned about her surgery, so I can't elaborate on it at all, at least not yet. Maybe someday I will know but I don't want to keep talking about her condition, some how to me it doesn't seem fair to her, even though I am curious about it. I have asked her what she wants to talk about and all she will ever say is whatever I want to talk about, so I am kinda at a loss if you know what I mean, given that fact that I just met her and all, not sure what we have in common or what she is interested in. All I know is I want to be her friend, and she is nice to talk to