Hi Naomi, You have really been a lot. I hope you're able to return to your school. You are only one year post, you know it takes time. She will do it I am sure with your determination. I know one can get discouraged when one has to wait so long to achieve to achieve their goal. You must be new to the list as I don't remember you posting . Let us know how you're going now that we are acquainted to you. Forgive me if you had introduced yourself before and I just did not see. I got knocked off the list for a short time so I could have miss you. I am 53 and 32 years post C4-5. I believe they have so much more now than he did when I was first injured. Dana
You\ go girl... you are tough, you're a survivor. hopefully your health will improve and you'll be able to return to those things you miss in some capacity. Dan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Stephanie, I saw of posting by you on the quad message board. It caught my eye, because I too, am a C4 -quad due to Transverse Myelitis,1 year post. Here is a little about me and what I've been through. My name is Naomi. I am 50 years old. I was stricken with TM on July 2, 2005. In a matter of minutes, I went from an active, working adult, to a flat on my back, totally paralyzed, terrified patient. I was hundreds of miles away from home at the time that this happened. I had to be flown by med-jet nearly 2 hours to get home. When I awoke in ICU, I was on a ventilator and paralyzed from the neck down. I had the steroid treatment (it drove me crazy ). I also had the plasma exchange, after which I regained movement of my left leg and partial movement of my left arm. I had four months of occupational and physical therapy, while in the hospital. I was discharged into a nursing facility, were I stayed for six months and I had occupational and physical therapy there for five of the six months. I left the nursing facility and went into the hospital to have the Baclofen pump put in, to control my spasticity. The pump has really helped me. I had two months of occupational and physical therapy as an inpatient in the hospital. I was discharged from the hospital to home, a place I hadn't been in over a year. While at home, I received outpatient therapy, at the hospital, for nearly 6 months. After over a year of therapy, I have not progressed much. My right side is still totally paralyzed. I have been plagued with UTI's, dysreflexa, positional vertigo, excruciating nerve pain, and problems with in-home help. Needless to say, I had to give up my job. I was a Technical Instructor, teaching the installation of electrical equipment for our local utility company. I was also attending Eastern Michigan University, majoring in Special Education, Emotionally Impaired. I miss working and going to school, something terrible. I am still working on getting more therapy and trying to gain more movement. I thank God for what I have achieved so far, and know that every day is a blessing. Keep the faith. Naomi
