I just wanted to add my thank yous. When I first encountered TM 12 1/2 years ago, I had never heard of it and thought perhaps the doctors might be mistaken. At my first opportunity I went to the library to find out what I could, but there was nothing about TM except for a two page spread in a medical book. So I began to read about some of the other diseases I had been tested for. When we got our computer over a year later, the very first thing I searched for was TM, and found one of the original posts. I found the place to register and shared a condensed version of my story and my many questions, and I was amazed at the warmth, generosity, and knowledge of the folks who responded. Though I have a loving family who tries their best to understand, it helps to communicate with someone who has experienced some of the same weird symptoms, who knows what I am talking about -- I guess it reassured me that it was real and I wasn't crazy after all. :-) So thanks so much, Jim, for creating this place for us and amassing all the links and other information. My first several months here I read a lot of the resources on the TMIC and TMA pages. Thank you for using your time and energy to help others, and for your positive outlook. Barbara H. _http://barbarah.wordpress.com/_ (http://barbarah.wordpress.com/) In a message dated 5/17/2008 5:21:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
On May 17, 1989, I became paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe due to Transverse Myelitis. I was 21. I woke up with a pain in my shoulder. Went to work and about 30 mins later the pain got very intense. I suddenly could not stand then stopped breathing. I later found out that my heart stopped and it took awhile for them to stabilize me to even transport me to the hospital a few blocks away. The doctors had no idea what had happened to me. initial thought were possibly a stroke, lyme disease, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I was in and out during that time, could not talk, only remember bits. After about 2 weeks I had a MRI and was given the diagnoses of Acute Transverse Myelitis. I was in ICU until July 31 then transfered to rehab. In rehab I was treated as a person with a spinal cord injury. I had physical therapy which consisted of giving me range of motion and practice driving my sip and puff operated wheelchair. In speech therapy and occupational therapy I learned morse code to access the computer. I practiced typing and played tetris and chess. In October, I was able to leave the hospital for the first time and went to see the Batman movie. I started going to movies about once a week. The nurses always tried to get the other patients to go out when I went because I was the only vent dependent high level quadriplegic and enjoyed going out. Others were paraplegics, having problems dealing with their condition. I was in rehab until January 31st. I've been paralyzed most of my life. Wow how time flies. ---- Jim Lubin [EMAIL PROTECTED] _http://makoa.org/jim_ (http://makoa.org/jim) disAbility Resources: _http://www.makoa.org _ (http://www.makoa.org/) **************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4&?NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
