I am going to tell my story because I feel "odd man out"! Also because
you all have already been so giving and including of me. I thank you so
much.
The 2nd week in January, 2007, I had weakness in my legs. I did water
aerobics, so thought I was exercising too hard. By Saturday, the 13th, my
legs collapsed and my husband got me to the ER. I never had the striking
pain so many of you talk about when myelitis first hits. During the 1st
week in the hospital I was a Code Blue because the catheter gave me an
infection and it went systemic. After that my body just kind of fell
apart. I developed a "bleeder" in the colon and they almost didn't find
it soon enough. After colon surgery I was kept in a "sleep" state for 3
days. My family had no idea if I would survive. Every 3rd day after that
something else happened to my body. My doctors would not leave town. I
spent 9 weeks in the hospital, part in rehab, and needed 19 ppints of blood.
I have a colostomy and still have some trouble with my bladder. I self
cath twice a day. But, if you would see me today sitting down, you would
think I was the picture of health. I use a cane to walk and because of
the feeling in my legs coming back with nerve pain, I have a stimulator
implanted in my back. It helps cover the pain. I have a
wonderful husband, my hero, and a loving daughter, son-in-law, and 4-year
old grandson. We have many really good friends that have never left my
side and we do many social things - love that! Well, that is my story.
Hoping to get to know all of you.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: "Janice" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [TMIC]
Hi Janice
I just turned 59 a week ago. TM hit me 5.25 years ago when I was 53. My
lesion was at C4 thru C6 level and it affected me from the chest down,
however, you wouldn't know it looking at me when I'm sitting down. I use
a cane to walk and have an ankle foot orthotic (AFO) that I seldom wear
due to my burning feet. Most of my body has the searing/burning pain. My
right side still shows some signs of the original paralysis and I type
with one finger and thumb on each hand.
I worked full-time as a bank manager until the Wednesday I went to work
and tried to work thru various muscle spasms. I went home at 2:30, went
to ER and that was the end of my "career". There were times I truly
thought I was loosing my mind and will never know if it was the
medications I took or the stress of TM. TM gave me some bowel and bladder
problems, but I only wear a heavy duty panty-liner now. So I'm doing well
compared to some on the website. Some of us have shared some real
personal info in order to help others understand TM.
Don't be afraid to ask or share - it's the way we help each other.
Patti - Michigan
---- Janice <[email protected]> wrote:
I am anxious to get to know everybody and hear about their "stories" and
how
they are doing.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: "Janice" <[email protected]>; "transverse myelitis"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: [TMIC]
> You reached the TM internet club site. Welcome to a great bunch of
> people
> who are eager to help each other with questions and answers regarding
> Tranverse Myelitis.
>
> Patti - Michigan
> ---- Janice <[email protected]> wrote:
>> This is a test for correctness of address. Please reply.
>
>
