Hi,
I should introduce myself too. I am 31, I was 28 when I got TM in March
2004. I was paralyzed from the breastbone down too, at T1. I spent 10 weeks
at the Montreal General as I managed to get C.Diff and had some GI problems
after that that had to be sorted out before I was strong enough for Rehab. I
then spent 8 months at the Montreal Rehab Institute where I went from being
in a wheelchair to walking with a long leg brace and a walker, to the leg
brace and canadian crutches to where I am now, a Cane and the brace of
course!
I went back to work 6 months after being paralyzed, taught pre-k from my
wheelchair. That February 2005 I got a GI problem again, partially brought
on by stress, by fatigue, and the flu and ended up in the hospital for 3
weeks again! When I got out I decided that's it, I am going back to school
to do what I really want! Nursing. Sounds crazy right? I was still in a
chair, was able to walk and stand but not for any long lengths of time. I
applied and got in to Dawson College. All they knew what that I used a cane
and a leg brace and of course the reason why I was paralyzed.
When June rolled around and school ended on the Friday, I decided that by
Monday I would NOT use the chair anymore, UNLESS it was for the mall or any
long distance type thing. And that Monday that is exactly what I did.
I started nursing school in Spetember 2005 and am about to start my 3rd and
final year! I do 8hr clinical days just like the others, no special favours
or treatment. I do everything my classmates do and they even come to me for
help! I won an award last semester for clinical work and for being a
helpfull, compassionate classmate. It was an award that means a lot to me as
it was chosen by my clinical group mates. We were all asked to nominate
someone and they all chose me, it menat so much because I still sometimes
feel as if i have to prove myself over and over again.
Nursing is NOT easy when you are healthy, the hours are bad and long, you
often work hard and no one tells you thank you, but when they do it feels
great! Now try nursing when you have a disability, take Neurontin, Baclofen,
Zanaflex which all make your BP drop, have to self-cath and have a slow
bowel so must wake up 45min earlier that you should have to, and have to
take BP meds to increase your BP to be able to function while on your feet!
(Yeah, I take 2 types and so far mediocre results).
In my spare time, I blog about my life, moderate the TMA site and a student
nurse site.. and sleep...
Anyhow, I wrote a book! Sorry about the long read!
Marieke :)
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected]
Subject: Re: [TMIC] A new member Jim Belz,and his wife Carol, active
Secretary
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:16:32 -0400
Welcome,
I know how you must feel. I had retired from medicine and was doing a
little writing, living the good life when TM hit me in Aug 2000. When I'm
"down" I dig up all those activities I'd seen myself doing in my retirement
at 53 y.o..
It could be a lot worse!!
Count your blessings!!
F
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