Re: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries
I can't remember exactly what I wrote so please forgive me if I repeat myself. After the 3 surgeries on my spine, the end result is rods from T4 and screwed into my pelvis. Since the screw has popped through the vertebrae and hitting the vertebrae above it, the neurosurgeon wants to go up at least 3 more levels. H didn't see any reason for me to do it right away and said he wanted to see me in about 8 weeks. I did have damage to my vocal cords when I was on the vent 6 yrs ago and had to have another surgery to repair them. My voice still isn't the same and stays weak for a while after coming off of the vent. I'm scared of that, the fact we are getting into where I have full sensation vs. the last surgery was mostly where I didn't have full sensation. I have a hard enough time with my wheelchair now because of my back not bending. My chair tips backwards going up ramps and forget about curbcuts. I am having a hard time getting rid of some weight now with eating right as it is and I will probably need a powerchair so I guess you could say that if I'm awake, I'm thinking about this. The only way I can get to the neurosurgeons down here for a second opinion (the ones that I want which are in the same office) is with a referral from my rehab doc. I finally went to that appt today and will likely have to wait about a month before I can see the surgeon and then I see my neurosurgeon in hopkins in the mid of April. That's only a fraction of my concerns. I have been in a lot more pain the last few days and I wasn't sure if it was because I did more weight on the ricshaw or chest presses. My back was kept stable and dont use those muscles in the exercises I do so I couldn't figure out what did it. My therapist felt the muscles and they were really tight so that explains a lot of the pain but I am still worried I did something else to trigger it. I may end up going to the hospital before I get an appt with anyone so if I dissapear, I am likely back the hospital to start the whole process all over again with rehab and all of that fun stuff. Hopefully not another summer missed though. I seem to have rambled in this email as well. Sorr for that and Thanks for your compassion Dana, Stacy - Original Message From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Monday, March 3, 2008 12:55:05 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries Stacy I am so sorry to hear about this Stacy. I will pray for this. I know waking up on a ventilator is terrifying. I know you are much lower level, so you should not have as much trouble getting off, but I know that does not take into the fact that your vocal cords can be damaged as I remember, that being a possible problem. You have been through already. I may be missed the post about a nine hour surgery and exactly what they're going to do. Please explain or send me the post.. I have woke up on a ventilator before in the past for my bladder removal, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, pneumonia and it was horrifying especially with the rules of the state and taking away your care if you're in the hospital too long. I don't know the exact rules, but I remember being told if you're in over 30 days you can lose your care. Does anyone know the rules regarding this? It happened to me in 88 and they were threatening to put me in a nursing home. It was a real nightmare. Dana I have not experienced any long-term hospitalization over 30 days, so I have not had deal with I know may be each state is different. Do any of you wise quads out there know this answer? I tried to look up on the web site and could not find. . Dana In a message dated 2/21/2008 9:55:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am going to a specialist hopefully soon. I have to go to my rehab doc first to get referred to him, because he won't take just anyone. I'm just in a ton of pain and want it to stop. I'm so afraid of losing the little bit of flexability, let alone being a quad again. I had 3 surgeries between the end of may and beginning of july. First he put a cage to replace a couple of vertebrae's mid T sec, then I ended up with 2 more cages and rods in t and l spine, then finally on my bday in beginning of july, he had to remove a screw too close to my aeorta. Waking up on a vent scares the crap out of me since I had gotten damage to my vocal cords the first time I was on one and had to get surgery to get my voice back. This all scares the hell out of me in general not even considering being put to sleep for a 9 plus hour surgery. Stacy - Original Message From: RONALD L PRACHT [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:46:31 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries B4 I would do any surgery on my spine I would get three opinions and ask about the percentage of failure rate and the possibility of improvement.
[QUAD-L] hospital stay time and care
I forgot to mention in my reply to Dana that I was in the hospital from the end of may to beginning of august and my care wasn't taken away. My hours were actually increased. Maybe it depends on which state you live in. Stacy - Original Message From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Monday, March 3, 2008 12:55:05 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries Stacy I am so sorry to hear about this Stacy. I will pray for this. I know waking up on a ventilator is terrifying. I know you are much lower level, so you should not have as much trouble getting off, but I know that does not take into the fact that your vocal cords can be damaged as I remember, that being a possible problem. You have been through already. I may be missed the post about a nine hour surgery and exactly what they're going to do. Please explain or send me the post.. I have woke up on a ventilator before in the past for my bladder removal, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, pneumonia and it was horrifying especially with the rules of the state and taking away your care if you're in the hospital too long. I don't know the exact rules, but I remember being told if you're in over 30 days you can lose your care. Does anyone know the rules regarding this? It happened to me in 88 and they were threatening to put me in a nursing home. It was a real nightmare. Dana I have not experienced any long-term hospitalization over 30 days, so I have not had deal with I know may be each state is different. Do any of you wise quads out there know this answer? I tried to look up on the web site and could not find. . Dana In a message dated 2/21/2008 9:55:53 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am going to a specialist hopefully soon. I have to go to my rehab doc first to get referred to him, because he won't take just anyone. I'm just in a ton of pain and want it to stop. I'm so afraid of losing the little bit of flexability, let alone being a quad again. I had 3 surgeries between the end of may and beginning of july. First he put a cage to replace a couple of vertebrae's mid T sec, then I ended up with 2 more cages and rods in t and l spine, then finally on my bday in beginning of july, he had to remove a screw too close to my aeorta. Waking up on a vent scares the crap out of me since I had gotten damage to my vocal cords the first time I was on one and had to get surgery to get my voice back. This all scares the hell out of me in general not even considering being put to sleep for a 9 plus hour surgery. Stacy - Original Message From: RONALD L PRACHT [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:46:31 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Spinal surgeries B4 I would do any surgery on my spine I would get three opinions and ask about the percentage of failure rate and the possibility of improvement. Then I would investigate it all further then make an educated decision. I say this because you might have 40 yrs or more to live as a quad if you get too many surgeries too soon the later years could be a rough go. Surgery is a last resort when your paralyzed. Ron c7 Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
[QUAD-L] Caregivers
Hi everyone. Just wanted to say thank you so much for all the advice and support and phone calls. It helps just knowing you guy have been through the same thing. And you all gave me the same advice...must be something to say for experience! Thanks again. Amy - Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
Re: [QUAD-L] antibiotics
I judge hospitals by the quality of the food. I haven't run into a hospital staff that could deal with handicapped people, yet. john - Original Message From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Sunday, March 2, 2008 11:42:20 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] antibiotics I just got out of the hospital Friday after being in for seven days with pneumonia. I really like to know about the yogurt and how much should be taken after being on IV's for seven days. They always have trouble getting an IV in me. My first one quit working and they tried to do a pic line 2 times without success so the anesthesiologist used my neck. They were going to take me to radiology to try again but they decided to go with the neck IV and my pneumonia finally looked better. My bowels quit working also and luckily it was not a blockage, so I was put on Myralax and after about four days it started working. I was so miserable as it looked like I had a basketball in my stomach. It is unreal the kind of care you get in the hospital for at least this one. If my mother had not been around, I don't know if I would have gotten my bowels to work again. I would love to hear about others hospital experiences and if the nurses will do digitals properly. I found that to be a real problem. I was glad to have a good mattress that did not give me any breakdown. I was so anxious to get home, so I could get proper care. It did not help that my doctor did not come until the fifth day. I was told that the hospital had closed it's ER shortly after I was admitted, but the county ask it to open again. How do you find the hospital that can give you proper clear? I go to the hospital very seldomly, but it is usually for UTI, respiratory problems, last time it was a coma, because of UTI that was septic. I remember not being that good the last time and I was in ICU at a different hospital, because the hospital that my doctors are was full. I remember going to the floor my last day, and the CNA just disappearing during breakfast and they had to have persons from other departments get me ready to go home. It's incredibly sad that you don't feel safe in the hospital. Dana ( C-4-5, 33 years post, 54, Prairie Village, Kansas, which is a suburb of Kansas City Missouri) I'm on some pretty strong antibiotics.I know many of you such as John say to take good bacteria such as in Yogurt and acidophilius when you have been on antibioticsMy question is,,, do you take it During or after the antibiotics? or does it matter? Also speaking of John--from OhioHas anyone heard from him, I don't recall any of his posts lately and he was sick, and he posts quite often usually. Thanks- Dan H. Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Re: [QUAD-L] Caregivers
I'm glad my husband and I were of some help to you. Take care and you know how to reach us! Lori ---Original Message--- From: Amy Davis Date: 3/4/2008 5:14:24 AM To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: [QUAD-L] Caregivers Hi everyone. Just wanted to say thank you so much for all the advice and support and phone calls. It helps just knowing you guy have been through the same thing. And you all gave me the same advice...must be something to say for experience! Thanks again. Amy Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
RE: [QUAD-L] New Permobil
How pricy is the magitek drive system? Thanks Silas From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 6:58 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] New Permobil So you liked it, eh? magitek http://www.magitek.com/ Just make sure that you don't cough at high speeds, lol Best Wishes In a message dated 3/3/2008 6:53:59 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I just ordered one of these with Magikteck (spelling). I test drove it a week or so ago and came to the same conclusion you did. I hope you like it and be sure and tell me a little more later on. Quadius C2-3 quadriplegic 12 years post _ It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf000301 advice on AOL Money Finance.
Re: [QUAD-L] Magitek Price
hopefully that's the Platinum edition that includes a back rub and a HJ. AZ DAVE In a message dated 3/4/2008 1:16:24 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I called and asked. $ 5850.00 for the package. I'm sure that also includes installation too. Best Wishes In a message dated 3/4/2008 2:01:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How pricy is the magitek drive system? Thanks Silas It's Tax Time! _Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money Finance._ (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf000301) Dave _Visit My Home Page_ (http://www.users.qwest.net/~daveoc/index.html) **It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf000301)
Re: [QUAD-L] New Permobil
I don't have that info, but if you go to their website and CONTACT US, they will reply to you. Best Wishes In a message dated 3/4/2008 2:01:05 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: How pricy is the magitek drive system? Thanks Silas **It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf000301)
[QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT
Choose Texas over Florida any day! Besides Orlando (which is inland) much of Florida is quite trashy. We are most located there with my husband's job in 1999 but after his trip there... No way. I would definitely rather be too warm than too cold. That humidity day night with HUGE BUGS sucks. Like you... I am out and about in my wheelchair here in dry Arizona. In a wet environment... the gnats and mosquitoes will almost eat you alive! My husband feels that Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston run a close second as far as the humidity. He lived in Houston for 10 years. But Houston being a little worse because of the Gulf. Actually the Gulf IS one of the attractions to moving to Houston because we both love the water. My husband remembers many times going out on the sea wall and tremendously enjoying watching the waves come in and then reside. I am sure that areas by the water are more handicapped friendly now but I know that I can not go ON the beach. So the water (and the biggest renowned medical complex in the nation if not the world) is an attraction for Houston for us but it also has hurricanes. Nothing close to Florida (and we had the option of moving to Florida when the plant closed in New York shortly after we got married) and we would not move to Florida on a bet even if someone gave us a house and property! They get nailed very often by hurricanes every year and we would have to get our own huge generator because I depend upon electricity so much. My only form of mobility is a power wheelchair which needs regular charging through a battery charger plugged into the wall. My rotating air mattress to avoid pressure sores is plugged into the wall. My hospital bed is all electric and a complete necessity for me to get in and out of bed. To name just a few. And the humidity there in FL is far worse than Houston because they have the water on both sides! Further... Except for Orlando... The rest of the state is pretty dumpy. In 1999 my husband made a trip down there for an interview and even the condominiums look like trailer trash. Lori Michaelson Age - 43 C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ ---Original Message--- From: Greg Date: 3/4/2008 9:12:08 AM To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] New Permobil I just cant think of ever moving away from a warm weather place. I do miss the water around Seattle, just not the water above Seattle. I do think Florida would be nice if not for the humidity, but Id love to try it. I spent 22 years post injury just sitting by the fire wearing tons of sweaters except for July and August. Now I spend half the day outside. I use to worry about damp moss growing on me, now its sunburns :-) Greg -- The weather today down here south of you was quite a bit cooler here than the last several wonderful days near 80°... But I guess we are spoiled compared to the rest of the country ... eh Greg?
Re: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT
Texas sounds good.but ya can't beat San Diego..no snow, no ice, no bugs, no humidity and no rain between April and October and not much in the other months. During the day never below 50 and never over 90. Beach, desert and mountains all in the same county. And...Everything Everywhere is accessible! Good Luck! pj c5/6 - Original Message - From: Lori Michaelson To: Quad List Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 2:30 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT Choose Texas over Florida any day! Besides Orlando (which is inland) much of Florida is quite trashy. We are most located there with my husband's job in 1999 but after his trip there... No way. I would definitely rather be too warm than too cold. That humidity day night with HUGE BUGS sucks. Like you... I am out and about in my wheelchair here in dry Arizona. In a wet environment... the gnats and mosquitoes will almost eat you alive! My husband feels that Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston run a close second as far as the humidity. He lived in Houston for 10 years. But Houston being a little worse because of the Gulf. Actually the Gulf IS one of the attractions to moving to Houston because we both love the water. My husband remembers many times going out on the sea wall and tremendously enjoying watching the waves come in and then reside. I am sure that areas by the water are more handicapped friendly now but I know that I can not go ON the beach. So the water (and the biggest renowned medical complex in the nation if not the world) is an attraction for Houston for us but it also has hurricanes. Nothing close to Florida (and we had the option of moving to Florida when the plant closed in New York shortly after we got married) and we would not move to Florida on a bet even if someone gave us a house and property! They get nailed very often by hurricanes every year and we would have to get our own huge generator because I depend upon electricity so much. My only form of mobility is a power wheelchair which needs regular charging through a battery charger plugged into the wall. My rotating air mattress to avoid pressure sores is plugged into the wall. My hospital bed is all electric and a complete necessity for me to get in and out of bed. To name just a few. And the humidity there in FL is far worse than Houston because they have the water on both sides! Further... Except for Orlando... The rest of the state is pretty dumpy. In 1999 my husband made a trip down there for an interview and even the condominiums look like trailer trash. Lori Michaelson Age - 43 C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ ---Original Message--- From: Greg Date: 3/4/2008 9:12:08 AM To: quad-list@eskimo.com Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] New Permobil I just can't think of ever moving away from a warm weather place. I do miss the water around Seattle, just not the water above Seattle. I do think Florida would be nice if not for the humidity, but I'd love to try it. I spent 22 years post injury just sitting by the fire wearing tons of sweaters, except for July and August. Now I spend half the day outside. I use to worry about damp moss growing on me, now it's sunburns :-) Greg -- The weather today down here south of you was quite a bit cooler here than the last several wonderful days near 80°... But I guess we are spoiled compared to the rest of the country ... eh Greg?
Re: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT
don't 4get the politics - Original Message - From: Lori Michaelson To: Quad List Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:57 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT Yes...San Diego and some other places in California cannot be beat as far as the weather (unless on one of the nice islands of Hawaii). Problem is... unless someone is from there and is settled in, etc. etc. etc. etc the rest of us cannot afford anything in California! Folks want $1 million for sh*t shacks/hovels and the taxes, food prices and everything else ON TOP OF THAT costs a mint! Well, more than that really! We had considered it many years ago and my husband was making GOOD money. But to own a house and factor in everything else in... He would have to be earning $200,000 a year or more for that and to live a modest lifestyle. Believe me... we have looked into it. My husband's oldest son (age 29) got his Ph.D. in Texas a little over two years ago and chose a job in the San Jose area (Silicon Valley) and pays an astronomical amount of rent for a halfway decent home. And that does not include food, taxes, utilities, homeowners association fees and the list goes on and on and on. He is doing it with his significant other and two children of hers but I think he is looking elsewhere because of the cost of living there in California. So you guys who are from there and can continue to live a halfway decent lifestyle... Consider yourself extremely fortunate! Otherwise, without a doubt, we would be California bound! Or better yet... A Hawaiin Island! Lori Michaelson Age - 43 C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ ---Original Message--- From: Paul Jacobson Date: 3/4/2008 4:27:17 PM To: Lori Michaelson; Quad List Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT Texas sounds good.but ya can't beat San Diego..no snow, no ice, no bugs, no humidity and no rain between April and October and not much in the other months. During the day never below 50 and never over 90. Beach, desert and mountains all in the same county. And...Everything Everywhere is accessible! Good Luck! pj c5/6 - Original Message - From: Lori Michaelson To: Quad List Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 2:30 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Living choices - HEAT Choose Texas over Florida any day! Besides Orlando (which is inland) much of Florida is quite trashy. We are most located there with my husband's job in 1999 but after his trip there... No way. I would definitely rather be too warm than too cold. That humidity day night with HUGE BUGS sucks. Like you... I am out and about in my wheelchair here in dry Arizona. In a wet environment... the gnats and mosquitoes will almost eat you alive! My husband feels that Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston run a close second as far as the humidity. He lived in Houston for 10 years. But Houston being a little worse because of the Gulf. Actually the Gulf IS one of the attractions to moving to Houston because we both love the water. My husband remembers many times going out on the sea wall and tremendously enjoying watching the waves come in and then reside. I am sure that areas by the water are more handicapped friendly now but I know that I can not go ON the beach. So the water (and the biggest renowned medical complex in the nation if not the world) is an attraction for Houston for us but it also has hurricanes. Nothing close to Florida (and we had the option of moving to Florida when the plant closed in New York shortly after we got married) and we would not move to Florida on a bet even if someone gave us a house and property! They get nailed very often by hurricanes every year and we would have to get our own huge generator because I depend upon electricity so much. My only form of mobility is a power wheelchair which needs regular charging through a battery charger plugged into the wall. My rotating air mattress to avoid pressure sores is plugged into the wall. My hospital bed is all electric and a complete necessity for me to get in and out of bed. To name just a few. And the humidity there in FL is far worse than Houston because they have the water on both sides! Further... Except for Orlando... The rest of the state is pretty dumpy. In 1999 my husband made a trip down there for an interview and even the condominiums look like trailer trash. Lori Michaelson Age - 43 C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ ---Original Message--- From: Greg Date: 3/4/2008 9:12:08 AM To: quad-list@eskimo.com
[QUAD-L] living choices
i live in st. louis and admit i dont like the snow and cold.at least the cost of living here is reasonable and most everything needed for quad life is nearby.i have the funds to move elsewhere but nobody to go elsewhere with, lol. the quads that can move anywhere they please are truely blessed, i think the majority just deal with what they are given and stay in one place. ron c7
