Diagnosis: Brain Tumor - Rehabilitation
The Journey Back Begins
Until I lost the use of my left hand, I’d had no idea that so many daily tasks require two hands. Trying to shower and dress myself was frustrating. I needed my husband’s help and he was very supportive and patient.
I kept working my hand, doing the exercises recommended by the hospital therapists, but without much result. I felt deeply discouraged and angry over the loss of my hand. I needed some encouragement, which came from several sources.
First, a home health care nurse visited us and worked up a treatment plan. She had seen similar cases and assured me that recovery was possible. Next, I received a phone call from my cousin, a physical therapist, who has also seen people recover from this type of paralysis. Third, Connie C. reached out to me with her own story of healing from paralysis that was more extensive than mine. My spirits rose….
Signing on to Gather, I was greeted with dozens of good wishes and assurances of prayer, encouragement and support. Connie C. featured me in her Today on Gather column. Kevin E. posted a tribute to me! My spirits soared……
I’ve been working at home with a therapist for about a week now and can open and close my hand, turn and lift my wrist, shower and dress myself and am even typing this essay with both hands. The left is still weak and clumsy, but it is learning. I am amazed that so much healing could happen so quickly. A paralyzed limb can never remember the skills it had before, but it can be re-taught.
The estimated time for full recovery varies, but is measured in months. From this incident, I am learning patience, acceptance and determination. Without taking risks, I let my left hand try whatever tasks it can manage. The arm is ready, but the hand and fingers are still confused.
I have a feeling that this problem will turn out to be a blessing. I feel very positive and optimistic. I have laughed more in the past week than in the past two months. I am grateful to God for His mercy and to my friends for providing the encouragement I needed. I hope to be able to supply the same kind of support to others when necessary. A few hopeful, positive words can change a person’s life. Believe me!
Continued…..Diagnosis: Brain Tumor - Rehab Rematch
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Comments: 40
Jan, You are making progress, and you have a ton of support here. Sending good healing thoughts your way.
YAAAAAAAAA for Jan. :)
A happily ever after ending after all :) So you have to go see that old badger in a year huh?
No telling what God is doing in his life. Maybe you're part of it.
tHE INJURY FROM MY ARMY DAYS IS COSTING ME MOBILITY INN MY RIGht HAND, and IM trying to learn how to do more with my left hand, including NOT hitting the caps key.
...training your hands to relearn is a HUGE pain in the a, but, eventually, it gets better.
...I use shoes that have Velcro straps, or boots that don't need tying.
...As far as doctor's predictions, you are seeing the writing of a 56 year old corpse since I was supposed to die the day I was hatched.
...Doctors may know how to repair, but the Gods are the manufacturer and we do not know what our "expiration date" is, just the gods..
The next part, I will post as a separate post.
...When I was in the state hospital, my roommate, that I protected, was in his early 40's and wheelchair bound for the most part.
...He had polio and Cerabal Palsy, which left one knee with about 10 to 15 degrees of movement.
...The "hospital" was a former WWII airfield training base. Many "steel arched buildings" were still there.
...The layout was like a county community collage, with many buildings.
I iwll call him "Mike." (Not his real name)
Well, he was heavy, and at 5' 2 about 180, and kept talking about walking again.
...We had a 2 time a week dance at the hospital, and he got out and boogied. But he would have to rest for 2 to 4 songs.
...Mike could walk from our room to the bathroom, using the walls to keep him up when he had trouble.
...One day, as he said he wished that he could walk normally again, I said, are you really willing to try? After a short and hot, and odd discussion where I told him that IF he was willing, that I wold help him.
...Some told me that I had put my big fat foot into my mouth and made a mistake..
...Well, I supported him by the arm, as we walked to the mess hall and back. Going to the dance, he had the wheelchair.
...Once, he had a cramp on the way back from the mess hall, and I had to carry him.
...He swore that would not happen again because he is not a baby. (those comments came from others in my ward. I had told him that I can out wait a cramp, etc. But we had a jerk for an orderly.)
...It must have been about 300 yards that I carried him, which let everyone know that I was not a lightweight.
...I had a talk with that aide, and let him know that I did not appreciate what he did. I let him know that I was willing to wait and help him, no matter HOW long it took. And he was not to rush him again.
...IF he didn't believe it, he was was to ask the doctor, and I would file a statement with the head of the hospital. I will not repeat what he said next, he should not have been working there, and I filed a complaint with the hospital over what happened and over what he said.
...He attacked me when I was in the shower, I knocked him out. He was fired.
...Mike was soo determined not to let that happen again, that we kept it up for several months.
...Then, one night at a dance, a Lady had a grand Mall seizure, that was a dozy.
...The first ambulance caught fire on the way, the next one lost it's brakes and crashed.
...So, they used Mike's wheelchair, and he walked ALL OF THE WAY HOME, MORE THAN A HALF A MILE!
...And all of the way back to the ward, his smile was reflecting the moonlight, since it was much larger than the Cheshire cat.
...It took about 6 months, but the end result was worth it.
That is one of the few good memories from that hell hole.
it's the bad stuff that haunts me in my nightmares.
I'm sorry you had to learn patience this way, but it's good to have patience.