United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Paul,

On September 4th 2002 my husband and I were driving(our brand new ford taurus) when a semi lost use of his brakes and hit my side of the car. All I remember is seeing the semi coming toward us. I had emergency surgery that day, they had to take all the muscle out of my right arm, and I now have a metal plate and 7 pins holding my bone together. Then on September 24th I went to see the surgeon who did my surgery and found out I had a bad infection, so back to the hospital and surgery room for debreeding of it. I started therapy right away but the pain was what was so bad. Oh yeah I was 12 weeks pregnant when the accident happened (I have since had a healthy baby girl on feb 16th 2003) so treatment was very limited. At first I couldn't even move my arm or my fingers, i almost gave up hope. But with therapy and faith I have since been able to move my fingers and lift my arm a little bit. I went for an EMG and the results are that all of my nerves have been damaged as well as my muscles except for the deltoid muscle. The Dr was amazed at how much movement I have. I have no feeling in my fingers and can't grasp or pick up things. I think the baby has been good therapy. My husband had to go back to work since i'm not working someone has to. I'm with the baby alone so all of her needs have to be provided by me, so because of her I'm able to do whatever needs to be done to take care of her. I'm now going to see a pain specialist, and also a nerosurgeon. I will also see a plastic surgeon in a few weeks. I go to therapy three times a week and feel im doing well. At what point though will they say enough is enough? I'm not sure if I can live like this. I can't work either of my jobs so I'm going crazyyyyyyyyy. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Tell me about you and everything you have tried so far... By the way I'm from Illinois, You? Will be looking forward to hearing from you........

Gina
Email: RAGFOG6702@AOL.com

Illinois that a nice state. I was once in Great Lakes ILL. for a few months.You have come a long way in a short amount of time. When you say they had to take all the muscle out of your arm you can't mean all the muscle put some. Infection can be very bad. I had one in my right leg 9 months post acsident. Very pianfull. You see Gina they put a pin in my themer. My leg want to reject it. I thought I'd raether keep it. And PREGNANT I CAN'T BELIVE THAT. What your babys name? What are your two jobs? Tell us the name of your Plastic surgeon. I your pain specialist has good ideas. Paul

Gina my brian thinks faster than my one hand types I missed an S on whats and the word HOPE after I hope your pain specialist. That proves it my brain needs two hands to keep up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paul

Paul,

You are right I have come a long way, and hopefully will continue to gain some more use of my arm and hand. The only muscle they took out was the muscle right above the elbow so yes you are right it was actually only one. I have a metal plate and 7 pins in my humerous holding it together. The hardest part of the whole injury is not being able to take of my baby... By the way her name is Madelyn Ashley she was born Feburary 16th 2003 2 and a half weeks early. She weighed 6 pounds 5 ounces. They induced me early because of the pain. The specialist said he could help me only after I deliver so they induced me early. My pain specialist as well as my occupational therapist suggest parafin wax treatment. It seems it helps but like everything else it is temporary. My plastic surgeon name is Dr Flagg. He has done a lot of breast surgery on women who have had double mastectomys. Supposedly he is really good, atleast I hope so. I'm waiting to go for a second EMG which will determine if surgery can help. The problem is my injury was a stretch injury which can not be fixed. My real which is a school social worker requires me to write, which is diffucult considering my right arm was injured which is my writing hand. I can write lefty but it is very messy. I can not wait to go back to work, I hate staying at home. And, since taking care of the baby is very hard for me getting out is very hard. The thrill of my week is therapy 3 times a week. My second job is I'm a training officer for the Village I live in. The group is called Emergency Services and Disater Agency. Part of FEMA. We work with our local police doing traffic, security, weather spotting, helping with crowd contal, and helping the fire department with fires. I'm responsible for training our members which is at about 25 right now. I love it but since the accident I havent been able to do much, which is depressing. Anyways I'm going on and on probably boring you to tears, so I will end for now. Hope to hear from you soon.... Tell me about your injury, and any suggestions to help. Also about your family. My family has been wonderful and I thank God for them everyday. Oh yeah I also have a wonderful 15 year old daughter Ashley who is a great help......... She has been a trooper from the beginning and I am truly blessed to have her and a wonderful caring husband!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gina keep us posted on your 2nd EMG. Stretchs can often repair them self. But some times need help. Are going to see any spcilist? You could here on this sit under your state to see who's in your state. Right below you in Stint Louis there are some good ones. Dr. Tong and DR. Susan Mckinen if that how you spell her name thair both good. Tou should not wait out the whole year. Your window for best results is,if your going to need work to have it done in the months after the injury. Me if you look back over all the old posting you can read alot. Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the advice... I'm seeing a specialist who only does brachial plexus injuries... His name is Dr. Ratliff, they call him the rat... He is waiting for the EMG report before determing if he will do surgery... He thinks I have made the most progress I will and is leary of doing surgery...I will keep you all posted on my EMG, and plastic surgery...........

Gina good very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Keep us posted.Paul

Well Well I had surgery on Monday and on Tusday my fingers where working 80 to 90% better than before and I had felling, touch, snatvity that I did not have before. These two doctor did a great job thair fintistic. It was about 5 hours. And I flew home Tuseday night. I went by my self. Im now home resting and hope to work halp a day tomrow. Paul

Terrific news Paul..you must be over the moon! What did you have done if you don't mind me asking?

Liz :0)

PS; Don't do too much work too soon....let yourself heal a bit first!

ok I won't work to mush...........I had scare tischue cleaned up from my wrist up my forarm. I had a scare that has about 10 inchs long and up to 3 inchs wide at its widest point. My arm had blown op hours after the aciedent and they had to do a fechy ody me {id i spelt that right} Dr. Grosmen also found my nerves wrap up in my scare tissue along with tendons by my wrist. He repired all and most was working a day later and more working two days later. Like i said i went to 8 doctors and read 10 medical books and told doctors to do it my way. And i finly foud two good ones. Oh and no two injurys are the same, are they Lizz? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paul