New to Disaboom? Welcome!

Want to give a shout out to everybody here and introduce myself. My name is Terry and I live outside of Minneapolis with my wife Phyllis and my 2 dogs Stanley (service dog) and Little Vic, my lap dog. My three children are all grown and on there own now. I was injured in a work accident (fall) and severed my cord. I still enjoy most of the things I did before my injury, like riding a motorcycle (Harley trike), snowmobiling, and riding ATV's. I especially enjoy riding my handcycle (XLT Gold) in the summer.

I'm currently working as a parts saleman at my local Ford dealership. Three words, LIFE IS GOOD!!! Sure I have my black cloud days just like anybody else with or without a disability, but it is what it is, we just play the cards that are dealt to us in life. Hope to get to know you all a little better. I like to be challanged, so ask away on any subject you want to know about me or anything for that matter.

T-6'er from Florida.  Thanks for writing such an upbeat testimony.  I'm 2 1/2 years into this and having been playing the hand pretty well for the most part.   Thanks for reminding me that there are "black cloud days" for everybody.  I've been feeling grumpy lately but this too shall pass.

 

How long have you been injured?  Did you have surgery?  When I was in the Trauma Unit I told the neuro team I was getting mixed messages...some said my cord was bruised and swollen and others said it was severed.  She said the only way they would know if it was severed is if they cut me open and looked.  "What difference does it make, your injury is complete, you are never going to walk again".   Neurobitch.  I guess she missed the class on bedside manners.

 

 

Hi Mcjane, first off, wish I was in Florida worrying about sunburn instead of frostbite. Woke up to -15 degrees this morning. I use to love the cold weather before my injury, but beeing a wheeler, you don't have the chance to move around as much to circulate the blood system.

I've been injured going on 3 years now. Yes I did have surgery to fuse my spine from T-3 to T-12. Filleted like a fish  for 10 hours. There was no doubt about my cord being severed, my neuro said it was a clean cut, like a knife through butter.

Did you get to see your x-rays? That's the only evidence that would make it clear as to a compressed cord or a severed one. You were diagnosed with a complete injury, but hearing from others, that may not be the case.

The only time I saw my Xray was when two young bucks were trying to convince me I needed surgery to remove a blood clot that "might move".   I told them "It might dissolve"   A year later when I asked the neuro person about an Xray to see what happened to that clot, she looked at me like I was nuts and said "Blood clots don't show up on Xray".   Those Scrubbers just wanted some Friday night fun!  Lucky for me I watch Scrubs and I had my wits about me so I didn't volunteer to go under the knife.  Next morning the team announced "No instability.  No reason for surgery"  

 

I told the Neurobitch I had seen my MRI and it looked like a sever and she said that MRI images were not reliable.  Then why do they put people thru that torture?  At least they gave me morphine to ease me thru it.  I guess I should get my Xrays and then go to a chiroquacker and get new ones and see what they have to say....

 

You would be more likely to get windburn than sunburn in Florida right now.   We have been down into the 20's every night.  Compared to -15 it might seem like a warm front...but this is unusual.  And I don't like it!   I don't understand why when my legs get cold they feel like they are on fire....  I was told that since I can't temperature regulate I have to be careful when it is below 60 or above 80.   What will happen if I go out in the cold for an extended period?  I'll find out tomorrow.  I have been housebound for 10 days (cabin fever!) and am going to venture uptown for a birthday lunch when it is below 50 degrees.  This will be a new Life experience....

 

 

 

 

T-9'er...with your spinal cord severed do you get spasms in your legs?  Any sensation?

No sensation whatsoever. Spasms have been minimal and under control with the exception of a full bladder, then the spasms kick in full gear. I still have alot of muscle tone yet even after 3 years after injury. I guess using the FES bike 3 times a week and the standing frame everyday for about 2 hours really helps.