[erikallen]

Hello my brother in law cracked his c-6 and destroyed c-7 it happened 4 days ago and they say it is complete. However, he has shown that he can feel his stomach and possibly even his feet earlier today. Is this normal? I just know so little, I have done alot of research and what it seems to me is that the doctors are telling us the absolute worst. they said he has only his tricepts, but I have seen him move his fingers and bend his arms today he even tried hitting the nurse quite a few times. he is 22 years old and very strong. Should i keep hope? My realistic hope is that he can regain enough control of his hands and arms to be able to play video games, maybe drive and hopefully be able to controll his bathroom functions. My dream is that someday he walks. Any information will help.

Also, an ambulance and police officer arrived on the scene of the accident and they treated and questioned the driver, then the driver was taken away in the ambulance, then the officer went and checked the car, THEN found my brother-in-law inside the car yelling for help. Would this time he lost cause his injury to get worse or would it have been the same had the first ambulance known he was there and treated him? Thank you so much for your time.

Erik Allen

[nomis]

Hi erikallen

You're all going to have to be patient for awhile before the extent of the injury is fully known. The doctors will be going on their experience and what the tests and examinations so far indicate. But even for them it's not possible to know for sure with most cases at this early stage.

And even if the doctors are right about a complete C7 then there is an area of variation within that as to what abilities stay active.

Many parts of the body still have the potential for sensation well below an injury site - some nerves leave the spinal cord from very high (eg vegas to the heart and nerves to the abdomen for breathing) which might account for internal feelings in the stomach area. A C7 can still feel a stomach ache.

It's a wait and see time.

As for the delay at the accident site - they do talk of the "golden hour" which particularly refers to saving life. Your brother-in-law does have his life. Whether swifter action would have reduced his injury, I don't know. It might have if he was nextdoor to a specialised emergency facility that had the best and latest equipment and knowledge. You could wish for all sorts of scenarios but it won't change anything.

I'm sorry but it is tough time for you all and you'll just have to be patient as the truth slowly unravels.

[erikallen]

Thanks for your response. being able to discuss it and reading so many others stories is really helping me.

[qbounce]

Hi Erik,

I'm almost 3 years post, and from the beginning I've always had small sensations of touch in certain areas, including my left side above the stomache, right foot heel, etc. . . . the list goes on. The most important thing early on is get him active in therapy , doing everything he can on his own.

He should have full bicep movement, and triceps may be a bit impaired but mostly in tact. Muscles are always shocked to their weakest denominator after the accident, and building them back up to their full potential may take several years.

Your right to hope that one day he can take care of himself. If he sets goals for himself early on (the simplest are so important), he could very well be independant one day.

I'm glad you've found this site early on. I've learned more here in a few months than living with my injury a few years.
Make sure to introduce him here when he feels up to it!

This post has been edited by qbounce: 23 July 2008 - 05:01 PM

[C Herod]

My husband has the same exact injury you described. There is always hope. Hopefully he had insurance and you can get great therapy. My husband could move his hands and arms at first, but they got worse before they got better. It's been 1 1/2yr and he can do alot with his hands not everything but so much more than at first. You do have to be very patient. His biceps are paralized and some of his hands, but he does get new feelings and sensations all the time. I try to be realistic, but we still have hope. He has never gotten good therapy. I sometimes think he would be doing more if it weren't for that. Stay positive and get to this site for question. I wish i would have came here a long time ago. Everyone here know a lot about so many different things. I am very sorry to meet this way. I will keep you in my prayers.

[erikallen]

Thank you all so much I am very happy i found this site and in time I will introduce Junior to the site. Right now they are saying he has triceps & biceps as of right now. He does have insurance so he will get the therapy he needs. C Herod I am so sorry to hear that your husband did not get the therapy he needed it is an absolute shame. Thanks everyone for the comments and prayers....everything helps at this point. Also on a lighter side does anyone know where I can buy some patience? I'd pay quite a bit for it right now.....