Janice,So glad you found this website. You have really been thru a tough time. Your family sounds awesome! I too refer to my husband now as my "hero" He has been incredible and my kids and my friends also. This is good place to share your worries and your fears because we have all been there. I have had TM since 2002, it struck in the middle of the night, I was paralyzed from the waist down. I use a walker and have come a long way. So hang in there! Trudy
On Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 10:08 PM, Janice <[email protected]> wrote: > 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. >>> > >>> > >>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
