United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

helo everybody first of all i would like to thank everybody on this baord for helping me in my time of need!

my name is Peter Rechenberg i have axilary nerve damage which required surgey to fix. thankfully the docs at mayo clinic did wonderfull! at one year i was showing signs of inmrovment and at 2 years i have up to 70% of my strenght back in my postior deltoid but only about 40 % in my antior and middle deltoid. compared to my friends im weaker but in my eyes my deltoid is like a bodybuilders. even though it is a little deformed and a lot smaller i am so thankfull to have even that much back. the docs were simply stuned when they saw me. (Doctor Bishop and spinner were so proud of themselfs that they were braging on how good of a sugery he did lol) words couldnt even explain the joy i was in when i heard teh news that the docs told me i am their 2nd most secsessful case they have ever done when preforming my type of sugery and will problaly become the most sucsessful. i can now do everything i did before. i hurt my self riding ATVS and have couqured my fear and ride even in the snow its a blast! the only thing i cant do is millitary press but hey so wat thats just one exersise right. they said i would never bench press again and here i am benching over 200 pounds! what im trying to say is i literaly have found God and wish the best to all of you!!! anything is possibe so please pic ur head up and belive!! Their is a God and he has made us humans capable of spactuacuar things and achivments so never give up and always know he loves you no matter what happens!

That's really wonderful Peter- congratulations!

I remember reading some of your updates in the past, but I can't remember how long post surgery you are. If I'm remembering correctly, I think my husband had the same surgery that you did (one of the tricep branches wrapped over to the deltoid) Is that right?? Just comparing notes, I guess. My husband is now about 10 months post surgery. All the deltoid muscles are "firing" and he is just beginning to be able to lift his arm a bit if he's bracing it against his torso, if that makes sense. Anyway, I know everyone is different, and you are more than a decade younger than my husband--but it's nice to hear success stories! Again, congrats to you and YAY for the Mayo team!

Peter~~~
I am SOOOOOOO happy for you! You are blessed and your prayers were answered. Don't forget I'm down the road (sort of) if you need anything but sounds like you are going strong!
College???? Good luck the rest of the year at Marian!
Kathleen Herff

Wow! Congratulations to you and thank you for posting. Not only are we all happy and proud for you, but it gives us hope too that we might one day achieve the same results through prayer and hard work.

I still work hard at the gym to try to recover, not going as well as I'd like, but always a little better. I swim 2 or 3 imes a week (or do what I can in water anyway) and walk and get on machines another 2 or 3 days. I've noticed that I used to not be able to lift a piece of paper with my left, now I can lift an Oly. curl bar (22-25 lbs) with both of course. I can bench 35 lb plates on a smith machine as it helps to control my arm.

I never lost posterior delt, but my anterior and mid have atrophied terribly, sometimes I feel like they are recovering but most times not. Any particular exercises or tasks you feel as though have helped you the most? Care to share?

lateral raises helped the most and takeing a bunjicord thing and doing a slow controled punching movement foward motion always seemed to help.

yes that is the same sugery, and so far his resuslts sound the same. i wish him the best of luck and i will be sure to keep him and you in my prayers!

Peter,

Thank you so much for sharing! I have tears in my eyes from your story. My husband, Rick, was injured 6/30/08 and just had surgery at University of Michigan. You have given us hope!!! I believe God puts people in our lives at just the right time -- thank you! Our days since surgery have been tiring and your success story is much-needed for us right now!

Blessings to all - this path sometimes seems unbearable, but it's encouragement and support from everyone here that keeps us all going!

I'm new to this forum. i'm 19 years old and i have BP. your story has given me hope. thank you