Amy"s surgery

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
User avatar
marieke
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008.
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by marieke »

Amy is coming home today! I spoke to her very briefly this morning! YAY!
Marieke
Marieke Dufresne RN
34, LOBPI
http://nurse-to-be08.blogspot.com
User avatar
hope16_05
Posts: 1670
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by hope16_05 »

I am home now, thanks again every one for thinking of me! Still hurting, car rides are not very much fun just yet and I had a 6 hour car ride. I was able to sleep most of the way home but still it was not fun. I hope to be able to post a real update for every one tomorrow but for tonight more pain killers and sleep.

Hugs,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
User avatar
brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by brandonsmom »

Yeah Amy, I am glad that you are home, I know how much better you feel when you ge home !!! Keep us updated whe you can and REST !!! GAYLE
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by Kath »

Amy
Glad you are home now please rest and heal then update us when you are feeling less pain.

hugs
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
hope16_05
Posts: 1670
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by hope16_05 »

Well, I have been home since Friday evening. It has been a little bit of a rough go this time around. So Wednesday was my surgery. They said to be at the hospital at 7:30 am with nothing to eat or drink after midnight. so I am there at 7:30 and hungry, lol I worked the 4 days prior to heading down for my surgery and since I work at 7 am I eat at like 6:30. Well, I dont even get to the opperating room until 10:30 and then they put me out so from there to about 4 pm I dont remember anything. Waking up was fine, I went back to my room pretty fast, I didnt even have to annoy the nurses for water, lol. I get back to my room and right after a nurse brings in a huge bag of balloons and a gorgeous boquet of flowers and then I found out it was from my bpi friends here, that was the best, thank you to every one who helpewd get me balloons and flowers! That made my night a little better.
Then there is the nurse that wont stop nagging me to go to the restroom, lol I have the bladder like no other and didnt have to go but she threatened a cathater and I decided I better get up and go. But before that the pain started in so they put me on a morphine pump that I could use every 5 minutes. Bad idea! Apparently I dont do well with morphine. I did make it to the bathroom and then back to my bed but from there I got sick. That was not fun! the biggest part of the surgery was moving the pectoralis muscle so even breathing hurt and to get sick was even worse. They finally switched to fetanyl (or something like that) and that was much better at least it wasnt making me nauseous to use the pain med anymore. So the night went great! They woke me up every hour for vitals but i slept fine.

Then next morning I was feeling much better but still not even close to going home. My dr said I could if I was ready but I chose to stay and I am glad I did. Tried to stand up too long again and then we adusted my splint to change cloathed and that made me ust about pass out, then made me sick. They gave me something for the naseua and off to sleep I went. They made me order something to eat but I was so not hungry and it took like an hour to eat. Pretty much food was the last thing I wanted to see. More food again that evening and then they finally switched my pain med to an oral one so it would last more than 5 minutes. Way better!!! Back to sleep for me, lol.

Friday morning I was ready to go home! They had to take out two drains before I could go and that wasnt really my favorite part. I am very tender under my arm. but it went well and by noon I was discharged and going the 6 hour ride home.

Saturday I tried to go out too soon, bad idea! But I had to buy some shirts I could wear under my brace and I wanted to get my hair washed. Went to Walmart and for 3 dollars they washed my hair and it didnt cause me any pain! Those chairs are perfect for post op. So from there I have been completely exhausted and sleeping a lot!
I spent Sunday sleeping and now I am no longer in pain and going crazy! I dont like resating and watching movies, I want to go see people. But for now I am to stay home. So I guess I better learn to like resting. lol
Thanks every one for the well wishes!
Big Hugs,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by Carolyn J »

Ohhhhh AMY, I sympathize with you for having to stay home and be quiet for awhile! I suggest besides keeping up with all our posts, you get a couple of juicy
novels to help you loose track of time.

Thanks a bunch for sharing your surgery & post surgery experience with us. I suuuurrrre do learn something everytime you post!

Keep in touch and<<<<HUGS))))),
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by Kath »

Amy

REST REST REST!!!
Your body had been through so much you need to heal.
When you rest you will heal.
Try getting a book on tape and listen to it and sleep.

Thanks for keeping us posted
hugs & prayers for speedy recovery

Kath
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by brandonsmom »

Amy,
Oh how I woud love an excuse to rest. I now you are 20 and want to be out with friends, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do and rest !!! Your body needs to rest to heal and that is that. Get some good music and lay there and relax....if you fall asleep all the better !!!! I wish I could !!! GAYLE
User avatar
hope16_05
Posts: 1670
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
Location: Minnesota
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by hope16_05 »

hehe, I am resting, seems like all I do, oh I forgot, it is all I do, lol. Thanks every one for the reminders to rest, I am. Cant be up very long at any given time. That last post took several trips to the computer to write, I just save them and post when they are done.
I am very slowly adding little things back in. Today I went to see my OT so she could splint my finger. That was my excitement for the day then I slept for two hours. Tomorrow I take my nephew to daycare and then come back and sleep some more, or watch tv or read my book... Then maybe walk to the mailbox. Thats my activity. I am trying to be a good girl as much as I would rather be out and about.

Gayle, I would love to trade placed for a day or two! And sadly, I would rather be working than out with friends. If I work I can buy my books and clothes...

I am a strange one, I know, lol
Hugs,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: Amy"s surgery

Post by Carolyn J »

AMY, You are my kind of girl!! Books 1st ,then clothes !!! :^)

Your <<<<HUGS)))) for today,
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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