United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am the 17-year old son of Pfaye. I am some-what determined to do my exercises. I am, at times, lazy but I find time to work it out. As of now it's been about a month and I still have no feeling and very little muscle control. I'm starting to get very littlr control in my forearm, but for my bicep I am clueless until it comes back. I've been told many times that nerves take so long to heal. So, I'm just playin the waiting game. As for life, I've taught my self how to do many things. I get around just fine, but it's just a smigen tougher. I'll be glad to get my arm back because it's hard to type one handed. I would also like start working out again. For Physical Therapy I have been going 3 times a week. I put myself in pain to help get more movement in my shoulder. Thats how I've been doing so I thought I'f let you all know. If you have any further questions about my shoulder or questions that lead to my injury please feel free to contact my mother ( Pfaye, topic starter) and I'll get back on and be glad to answer any questions. Thank you.


Derrick Smith

Just want you to know my son David had his accident on October 28th, 2005 and he has been seen in Rochester MN at Mayo Clinic and he is scheduled for his surgery on January 3rd, 2006 so PLEASE try to to go that route if you can do it it is GREAT @ Mayo Ellen is correct I have talked with her husband who introduced me to this web site and also have talked with her son John they are wonderful people and my son David has the same symtoms as your son but is not in any pain what so ever and I am also new here and this is a scary situation and like Ellen said you are not alone. Judy

Hi Judy,

Just wanted to let you know when you're at Mayo, if you meet a 21 yr old named Chris from Atlanta, tell him 'hi' from us! He is scheduled for surgery the first week of January and we met him & his mom Angie last month.

I'll get the DVD & articles out to you Monday or Tuesday next week.

Take care,

Ellen

Ellen,

I will do just that I will tell Chris hi from you and you guys have a Happy New Year and I will let you know how David is doing thanks a bunch for your support and kindness... Judy

Hi. Even though my son, Chris, was injured in a motorcycle accident almost four months ago, this is my first time posting in the forum. I know exactly what you are going through and just how much care you are needing to give to your son right now. Chris has a total avulsion, meaning that all five nerves that control his right arm were torn from the spinal cord, an injury which is not repairable. But there is hope. We are leaving on January 2 for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for a consultation and pre-surgery tests. since the nerves can't be re-connected, the surgery will focus on tranferring muscles, tendons and nerves from other parts of his body to his arm. Please take your son to a pain management specialist as my son hardly slept for the first 6 weeks due to the pain. Chris is on heavy medications but at least he is sleeping now and life is much easier for him. We will return to Rochester in a few weeks for the surgery once his surgeons draw up the "blueprint" for Chris surgery. We are very hopeful that he will regain most of the use of his arm. Life has really been busy for me since Chris' accident and your son will need months of love and support from his family and friends. Hang in there and let him know that there is hope. Chris has done very well emotionally because his family refused to let him give up. Physical therapy is one way to keep your son active with his own care. Tell him to move his arm every time he thinks about it and massage his hand with lotion several times a day, etc.

I am also a child nutritionist and there are some nutritional supplements you can start him on now also.

Calcium/Magnesium tablets help relax the muscles and the body.
Seretonin to help relax the body and mind and induce sleep.
Fish oils and multi-vitamins/Vitamin C for overall health to help endure the struggle the body is going through.

By the way, I have met Ellen (Hi Ellen!) and her son, John, and they have been a great inspiration to us. It helps to have the support of others who have gone through the pain a mother goes through when a child is hurting. It will get better over the next few weeks, but take care of yourself too, because your son will need you and will take lots of your strength. I found that I had more stamina and energy in the beginning weeks after Chris' accident than I have had in years. God is good and He will take care of you and your son.

I'll try to post again soon and let everyone know how it goes at Mayo Clinic.

God Bless,

Angie
Chris' Mom

Angie, glad to see you postin! Also glad that you met up with Ellen and John!

January 2nd is a GREAT day for surgery! I had my first op January 2nd 2002! Good luck and let us know!

Courtney

We have passed the one month mark since my son's accident. He seems to be holding up pretty good as far as mentally. He is driving again and playing video games and chatting on line and dating. He is not letting this slow him down any. He doesn't complain of pain all the time. He is pretty tough and thinks pain is a weakness so even if he was in pain, he wouldn't admit it unless it was pretty severe.

He has most of his movement back in his arm, but the muscles are VERY weak, and he can't use it. His hand is what the PT is worried about. The muscle in his hand (by his pinkie) seems to not be working at all.

His Dr is still saying that the nerves are stretched. We go back on Jan 3rd and I think have some more testing done. I am giving our Dr here about 2 more weeks and if I don't like what he is saying then I will take him to a specalist.

Thanks again for all of the support and emails.

Hi Derrick & Paula,

I'm encouraged by the movement you already do have back, and also by your determination not to let anything get in the way of doing what you want to do. Getting back into a busy & social life is crucial. And toughing it out through the pain is teaching you skills that will help you better manage it. Keeping your mind busy is a big part of it, as well as not getting overly tired or stressed.

Your timetable makes sense, re seeing a specialist. Please keep us posted & continue asking questions.

Take care,

Ellen

Angie and Chris thanks so much David is scheduled for surgery on January 3rd and will be in Rochester Hospital for at least 5 to 6 days after the surgery they are transfering muscles from his left leg and putting them in his right arm and they are also doing a nerve transfer from the left side of his neck to the right side of his neck and it is a very coplicated surgery at this point and since his accident he has had no pain at all so we are blessed with that part of it and it is amazing to see what he has learned to be able to get around and do the things he wants to do for himself and yes I hope and pray he doesn't ever get the feeling to wanna give up so far he hasn't and I don't think he will he is determined to keep on learning and going to his advantage and especially after chatting on the phone with Ellens son John he wants to be able to keep going just like him and he will. Thank You Angie for your support and good luck with Chris and his up comming surgery soon. God Bless Judy

Hello Derrick
I am a 15 year that also has a TBPI but unlike you I have no movement at all, only the shoulder. It's almost been a year since my accident. Listen if you need any help with things like trying to figure stuff E-mail me at sunycara@yahoo.com
Caralyn Cox