United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am 38, left OBPI and had Mod Quad performed on January 7th 2005 in Houston with Dr. Nath - so 2 1/2 weeks post surgery. My new movements include:
Washing my hair standing up - man, I never knew I had such a small head!
Reached the top of the steering wheel in my car.
Put my hair in a ponytail.
Got a towel on a shelf higher than my waist.
Closed my car door with left arm.
Can now yawn and stretch when I first wake up and my left arm goes up over my head like my other arm instead of down towards my feet - man I always wanted to do that! What a blast

You go Suzy!
Wait till you first go to a toll booth or a ticket spitter and find that you can actually reach the ticket. What a thril!

May every day continue to bring new discoveries!

Nancy

Suzy
Yeah for you ! Wow all the new motion you have gained so quickly. How amazing.

Funny, I never thought about the fact that I washed my head with one hand and others used two for many years... Now I would love to be able to do it.

Kath

Yes, I used to wash my hair by bending over and turning my head upside down so gravity would let my left arm fall so I could wash my hair - now I am standing up like a normal person - and just 2 days post surgery - it was the first new thing I did!

Can't wait to get take out or a parking ticket with my left arm also - now that would be a big milestone!
So far my flexion (raise straight up in front of you) has gone from active 30* and passive 50* to active 70* and passive 155* . Abduction (arm out to the side) has gone from active 30* and passive 55* to active 41* and passive 109* only 12 days post-op.

Suzy!

I too am a 36 year old adult living with OBPI in my right arm. I just discovered Dr. Nath and recently sent him my video and EMG report.

I am anxiously waiting to hear if there is any hope for my situation as I never was properly treated as a child.

I would love to hear more about you and your new found freedoms. Any post surgery insight you could share?

Please contact me by email or phone.

Thank you!

Caroline Racine
301.526.6286

Suzy,
You brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you. I always wanted to stretch. I watch my daughter get dressed and say wow that is so neat how you put your shirt on and take it off. She gives me a dumb founded look. I never realized people moved their arms in such a way. I know it probably sounds stupid, but I thought y'all might understand. Keep us posted with your new movement.

If I may intrude on your board again.... this is great to hear! When people I meet ask about the amr and of cource the question, "what cant you do now?" I always say there is nothing that I cant do... but I do miss stretching in the morning with 2 arms!! Its amazing the things we take for granted... enjoy the new movement!!

COurt xx

Judy
When I had my children is when I began to notice how many things others take for granted that I could not do...

I am still amazed when I see my little grandchildren do things I can't...

Suzy I am so happy for you...

Court we are all one bpi family... I visit the tbpi board from time to time to throw in my two cents...
Glad to see you post here.

Kath

This is Suzy from the OBPI boards - you had responded to my recovery posting - it is amazing - I too sat on pins and needles for Dr. Nath's reply. I have read that some people have pain upon recovery but for whatever reason I have had absolutely no pain. When I woke up from the surgery I even asked Dr. Nath if he really did surgery because nothing hurt! I flew home the next day by myself with no problems.
A few days after surgery I noticed my arm was pretty numb so called the Doc and he said as long as my hand wasn't numb and I hadn't lost stregnth that this was actually part of the healing process. And sure enough within a week most of this numb feeling has gone away. I have to wear a pillow splint for 3 weeks 24/7 (so can't drive yet) and then another 6 weeks at night when they will add more pillows to crank open my arm. He has me open with the pillow to about 70* (45* pre surgery) but I am actually stretched out to 155* so can't wait to add the extra pillows. I am in physical therapy 2x week and have about 12 stretches to do 4x a day. So it takes up a good bit of time but there is a short window to stretch out the remaining tissue before it becomes set so you have to be super dedicated to the recovery process. I just today noticed that my arm is now straighter too! I only had a very slight bend at the elbow but noticed today it is straight - and he did not do the bicep legthening process on me so it must be due to the stretches, etc. Feel free to give me a call if you want to talk at all - (503)692-1889. I am in Portland OR so am on West coast time

Good wishes always,
Suzy B