Looking for encouragement!

[rickhemi]

Hi everybody!

Please read my situation that I posted yesterday (new member).

I'm not sure how we're doing and would like some feedback. Perhaps there's other things we could be doing.

God's grace to All!

Rick Gilbert

Rick

[This message was edited by rickhemi on 11-03-04 at 12:36 PM.]

[jplw]

It sucks that your daughters corrective surgery did just the opposite. It sounds like she is getting along pretty well, concidering. From all of the stuff that I have read on here, it seems that the sooner return happens the more you will get back in the long run. I am sure that Dr. Young has a thread with stats on this somewhere, but I don't know exactly how to find it. The body keeps healing for a good two years before it is supposed to slow too much. Since she has so much back already the chances of her getting even more seems pretty good to me. However I must add the typical sci disclaimer. Every injury is different and everyones body heals at different rates. There is no way of telling exactly what she will get back, but it never hurts to stay optomistic and work work your butt off towards any goal that you may have set for yourself. Keep your chin up, try not to get too discouraged, and the best of luck to your daughter.

jOE

[SCI-Nurse]

Where did you post about your daughter??? Can't find your message. Can you post a link to it to help?

(KLD)

[marmalady]

Here is the topic (http://carecure.org/forum/showpost.php?p=235132)

_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

[rickhemi]

It's under "acute spinal injury cord experiences"

Look for post from rickhemi

Originally posted by SCI-Nurse:

Where did you post about your daughter??? Can't find your message. Can you post a link to it to help?

(KLD)

Rick

[rickhemi]

Thanks Joe,

I did a little back reading on your previous posts. I'm putting you on my personal prayer list.

May you be encouraged today, as you have encouraged me.

Originally posted by jplw:

It sucks that your daughters corrective surgery did just the opposite. It sounds like she is getting along pretty well, concidering. From all of the stuff that I have read on here, it seems that the sooner return happens the more you will get back in the long run. I am sure that Dr. Young has a thread with stats on this somewhere, but I don't know exactly how to find it. The body keeps healing for a good two years before it is supposed to slow too much. Since she has so much back already the chances of her getting even more seems pretty good to me. However I must add the typical sci disclaimer. Every injury is different and everyones body heals at different rates. There is no way of telling exactly what she will get back, but it never hurts to stay optomistic and work work your butt off towards any goal that you may have set for yourself. Keep your chin up, try not to get too discouraged, and the best of luck to your daughter.

jOE

Rick

[rickhemi]

Thanks Marmalady,

How do I put the link on my original post? I'm sure this will help in getting some responses.

Thanks!

Originally posted by Marmalady:

Here is the
LINK (http://carecure.org/forum/showpost.php?p=235132)


_____________
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa

Rick

[This message was edited by Obieone on 11-08-04 at 06:54 PM.]

[This message was edited by Obieone on 11-08-04 at 06:55 PM.]

[jplw]

click on the name and click veiw recent post to see his other post

[SCI-Nurse]

I read your original post and, yes, you have a right to be encouraged. Healing takes a long time in the spinal cord and it may be as much as 6 months to a year before you will know whether your daughter's condition is permanent or not. Continue to stay connected to doctors and facilities that are good with spinal cord injury and wait and pray. Those are the things that you can do to help her heal at this point.

RAB

[teesieme]

Hi Rick. From what I read you are doing well with your daughter, as she is doing well for herself!
My son is 2 1/2 years post, he has continued return, however slight it may seem to some or go without sincere acknowledgement on the part of professionals, it has all added up little by little.
I thought about this the other night while on my way home from work...deer hunting two seasons ago compared to now, his balance, his strengths and improvements overall since~ amazing!
Anyhow, a few days ago, just before he was to leave for work, he commented that he had better get into the bathroom, he felt like he had to go again (bm). And he did.
I was like, huh? Wow. Good. That was the first time since his injury he has done that! I believe finding balance between his daily therapy routines combined with continuing his life as close as he can and has since his injury have had powerful healing together.

[rickhemi]

Hi, it's me rickhemi.

THANKS FOR ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT!!!

My daughter continues to experience changes. She just was able to move her right ankle and is getting better support from her trunk area.

Something weird is the new feelings in her left foot. The toes sometimes feel like they are "crushed" or something like that. She told me that her left leg now has somewhat normal sensations while the right leg and most of the tummy is still numb.

teesieme - thanks for the post, and I'm adding your son to my prayer list. I'd like to talk with you more and maybe encourage you as you have encouraged me.

SCI nurse - your post is very good for my hope and faith. Are you saying that there are folks with cord contusions who have gotten full recovery this far out (almost 15 weeks) from the initial injury? I know that everybody is different, but with God, all things are possible. Question: How much should we push Sarah in regards to PT. She gets tired rather quickly and then wants to 'shut down' (therapy wise). Yet for youth meetings and basketball practice (she's asst. coach), she's got all the energy in the world (it seems). We've ordered a EasyStand 6000 glider for home use, since she stuggles to stand with leg braces and a walker for any length of time.

jplw - How's it going? I've noticed that you have a real gift for encouragement (from your other posts). I'm praying for your recovery as well.

Marmalady - Thanks for the technical assistance.

God's Grace to All

Rick

[teesieme]

Hi Rick. I am going to try and catch up with you here within the next two days, gotta get ready for work here~ I would love to chat with you about finding a balance between the two, therapy/shut down and continuing where she left off/energy~ mine is still young enough, I understand the teenage oomph and then not with one thing to the next! We can only try to guide and help them find middle ground...happy, elated they are getting out there and doing things they enjoy/enjoyed prior, while ensuring they take continue taking care working towards their fullest recovery possible! Catch up with you soon~ T.

[duge]

Rick
As the rest have stated it does seem that she is doing well! I am a T-12 incomplete walker. Just seem's to me Dr's and hospital's are screwing up alot anymore!!! Who everdid the first surgery screwed up and persanaly I would go afterr them because she probably will need care later. I don't mean to sound pesimistic because ehs IS doing well.

I just get tired of them making all the mistakes they do a major University missed my burst fracture. and now a Dr. has done this to your daughter. Just seem's like they should be held to higher standards
my 2 cent's worth

[teesieme]

Hey Rick, hoping you see me on chat with this!

[teesieme]

Hey Rick. You asked about other things you could be doing to ensure your daughters good health and return. All I know is that pt is something you should try to do daily, get a schedule figured in that works around your lives- very important to have a schedule five out of seven days, otherwise it may be pushed off to the side continually unless your daughter is very dedicated to herself at her age...let her decide though for the most part I guess, I had chuckled here about letting her pick the time frame, but in all seriousness it wasn't funny to mom after awhile here when I wanted to plan the majority of the week out so that we both had our time around one another and I just didn't know which way the wind was blowing each day~ waiting and waiting for him...
R.O.M. daily very important. Use the standing frame or what have you to get her up daily. The use of pool therapy is most excellent, if you can do that three times a week I think that is a truly good thing for anyone. My son has an electrical stimulator he uses every other day on his legs. We installed a tub with jets for circulation purposes, he does sit ups, etc. while in there with the way the tub offers support. When Superstar's crosstrainer becomes available here soon to buy, get one as it will give her movement and the stance that she needs all around.
I guess my advice is to try and work the muscles as naturally as possible with your home pt program, trying things out on yourself first, then someone else ab and then apply short sessions of with your daughter~ that is what we have done. So far he keeps much of his leg muscle mass, etc.
He tried biofeedback at a wonderful rehab. ctr. in Florida, this was a blessing for him as he was able to see directly how he could improve possible signal/response each level he worked on downward from his injury site. I wish he could've stayed there to complete the program, each week brought about more control and improvement.
My best to you and your family. This takes time but you will find your way. Keep her with it while guiding her back into her life prior sci, it takes some figuring but can be done with adjustments and adaptions for many things/interests. Take care~ T.

[This message was edited by teesieme on 11-12-04 at 11:25 AM.]