Central Cord Syndrome

[CHCB]

Anybody have any recent experience with rehabbing from a spinal cord injury?

After all the dangerous shit I have done, on duty and off in the last 32 years, and walked away from, I end up with a fucking SCI after coming around a corner on my mountain bike on an urban, paved trail and running head-on into some bozo riding on the wrong side of the trail. Of course, this shithead gets released from the ER with a headache and some road rash.

Irony sucks when you're its object!!!!

I am one lucky SOB, however, as the injury was at c5, so I could very well have ended up having to type this with a pencil in my mouth. As it is, I've lost the nerves controlling my right deltoids and biceps for at least 6-12 months. Annoying, but even if it never comes back, I can function near 100%.

Anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone else who has dealt with SCI rehab lately.

[panthersix]

Swift recovery to you bro! Keep the blood flowing in your other limbs while recovering. I'm going to work on building my neck up!

Did you know Doc Labier when you were at 1/75?

[Ranger Bill]

That sucks. All I can offer is to exercise as best you can and within guidelines from your Doc and therapist.

[CHCB]

Thanks, all the Doc will allow me to do since the surgery is walk, but I hhope to able to start running and lifting by early August.

Don't remember Labier...Doc McCLaren was our platoon medic in late 79 or early 80. Did you know Navarro or Selmer Hyde in C Co?

[panthersix]

I remember McClaren and I think I remember Navarro too. Probably recognize Sgt Hyde too if I saw a pic (he was an NCO right?).

[CHCB]

Good news from the physical therapist today...evidence that some nerves are firing in almost all the affected muscles, just not enough to move without help.

[panthersix]

That's awesome! I know it's a relief to know that you're going to heal up eventually.

[Nomad]

Here's to a speedy recovery, Charlie!

[CHCB]

Good news and bad this week. Five weeks since the injury, 4 since the surgery.

Right hand grip strength has improved from half of the left to almost equal. Numbness in the right hand has decreased substantially. Bad news is that those nerves come out at C7. C6 muscles (deltoids and some biceps) show no improvement, yet. Neurosurgeon said "You need to come to terms with the fact that you probably won't get back full use of your right arm."

Fuck him. I'm not real good at "coming to terms" with much.

Physical therapist says 85% recovery is the best I can hope for.

I say getting 100% out of that 85% will still put me ahead of most.

[Ranger Bill]

...Physical therapist says 85% recovery is the best I can hope for.

I say getting 100% out of that 85% will still put me ahead of most.

Ranger Creed: 100% and then some... so you get 105% of that 85%.

[panthersix]

Good news and bad this week. Five weeks since the injury, 4 since the surgery.

Right hand grip strength has improved from half of the left to almost equal. Numbness in the right hand has decreased substantially. Bad news is that those nerves come out at C7. C6 muscles (deltoids and some biceps) show no improvement, yet. Neurosurgeon said "You need to come to terms with the fact that you probably won't get back full use of your right arm."

fuck him. I'm not real good at "coming to terms" with much.

Physical therapist says 85% recovery is the best I can hope for.

I say getting 100% out of that 85% will still put me ahead of most.

Fuck 'em! It's your body, you do what you want with it. They're just giving you the "don't hold me liable for telling you that you might get back to 100%" legal speech! Drive on Ranger!

[CHCB]

Ran with a shoulder sling yesterday... first run in 5 weeks. Kind of weird running with one arm, but sooo nice to be back on the road again.

Occupational therapy fitted me for a sling today that will keep my shoulder in place, but let me have a natural arm swing. Going to Myrtle Beach Marathon in February and am gonna qualify for Boston.

[289sotherhalf]

All the best to you for a complete recovery, Ranger CHCB! Docs can give you a guesstimate of your outcome, but they don't dictate it. Your will and a positive attitude can work wonders, as you well know. Keep driving on!

[CHCB]

full range of motion came back a couple months ago. Winning the battle against 6 months of atrophy now, ran Myrtle Beach marathon, slower than I wanted, but fast enough not to be ashamed of it. Swam 600 yards last Friday.

Can't wait to see the neurosurgeon again and tell him to KISS MY ASS!