New to UBPN - Looking forward to getting better.

[OzzyJohn]

Hi all - My name is John from Sydney Aust and this is my first visit to the board which my wife Lisa found for me as i have been feeling a little down recently and needed to touch base with like minded people.

I had a low speed motorcycle accident in late Nov '08 and was airlifted to hospital, after 7 weeks i went to see surgeon Dr Michael Biggs who tested me and found that i had lost 20 of the 25 movements in my arm and shoulder, I still have hand and finger movement but from the wrist up nothing. Dr Biggs agreed that surgery was my only option. 1st April was the date and i spent 13 hours on the table, when i awoke Dr Biggs told me that unfortunately C5 & C6 were disconnected from my spine, so he took a nerve from my right leg and used it to splice the other nerves to C7 which was in good condition. The hospital gave me meds for 2 days after i was discharged, so i went to my gp who gave me enough to last 3 weeks which have run out in the past few days. One of the drugs is Oxycontin which by law i cant get another script for, but i have continued using Ibuproven and Paracetemol since then.

I work with my wife in an industry where we are away from home for 4 weeks then home for 1, due to financial times my wife has gone back to work and i only see her on a monthly basis so this is why i have joined this board with like minded people hoping to get through this together. Dr Biggs says i am looking at a 3 to 6 months recovery but he only gives me a 50/50 chance of actually getting my movement back - hard to get my head around at the moment.

Cheers John

[Kimberly1108]

John, I can hear your pain in your message.... hang tight! a 50/50 chance is a pretty good one- especially if your only option is a full recovery! Your work now is to listen to your doctors, maybe start physical therapy and focus on getting better ~ my son is affected by the same BP injury due to an error in pregancy/delivery~ and while i don't know the pain and difficulty he feels physically, I know that he is determined and focused... and this is the reason he is progressing! My mother was in a car accident and given an 10% chance of ever walking without assitance... she has waterskied since! You can do this! One day at a time.... lean on us.... and remember success is your only option!!!!!!!!

[OzzyJohn]

Thanks Kimberely - I have physio twice a week plus i do my stretches and muscle massage daily so that my rehabilitation is well on track. I am going to see my surgeon for the first time since leaving hospital so hopefully there is some good news on the way

Cheers John

[Carolyn J]

WELCOME, JOHN! to the UBPN Family of supportive, caring people. Come here as often as you want and vent. Have you posted on the Traumatic BPI Message BOard too? There are a few "Ozzies" there too. But please keep us informed of your process to recovery as we all learn sooo much from one another.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE anymore, John. Please keep in touch.

Carolyn J
LOBPI adult/70
PS...Opps, I just saw your post on the TBPI message board; OK.. I'm 70, after all!!...LOL


Message was edited by: Carolyn J