United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My insurance carrier has (finally) OK'd my gracillis muscle transfer! I am scheduled to go in over Thanksgiving. Sorry I haven't been around, but Linda and I are trying to sell our houses, ( BUY Owner SUCKS,never use them,) and watch over the construction of the new home that is being built for us. It's going to be a big year for me with a new house, upcoming marriage and finally doing something about my BP injury!
I would not have even known this surgery existed with out my fiance, Linda,who found this website and you good people!

Ray, CONGRATULATIONS on successfully wading through the bureaucratic waters of the insurance industry - and getting the approval for the gracilis transfer! Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. Tell the team at Mayo 'hi' from John's family.

If you haven't read the ubpn April (May?) issue of Outreach, get a copy. There's a writeup of our experience at Mayo as well as an article from the team. You'll feel like you've been hit by a truck but trust me, you'll "bounce" and it's all worth it.

Keep us posted - and take care,

Ellen

Hello Everyone,

I am posting a message for my finace, RocketRay. He had his surgery Nov 23rd. He came through with flying colors. They did a gracillis muscle transfer with support of an ulnar nerve transfer, and the day before surgery the docs decided to do something they've never done before -- they did a steindler muscle transfer at the same time (normally that would be a separate surgery. So far, everything looks really good, he's not in pain, his skin flap looks good and he is getting around with no trouble. It looks like he will be released from St Mary's Hospital on Monday, Nov 28th. Thank you to all who have shared your stories, given your support and encouragement to Ray.

Linda





My insurance carrier has (finally) OK'd my gracillis
> muscle transfer! I am scheduled to go in over
> Thanksgiving. Sorry I haven't been around, but
> Linda and I are trying to sell our houses, ( BUY
> Owner SUCKS,never use them,) and watch over the
> construction of the new home that is being built for
> us. It's going to be a big year for me with a new
> house, upcoming marriage and finally doing something
> about my BP injury!
> I would not have even known this surgery existed with
> out my fiance, Linda,who found this website and you
> good people!

That sounds great Iam really happy for you. I would love to talk to you when your out.I had my surgery in july at the mayo clinic.Iam already seeing great results and its only been 4+ months,and I was told not to expect to see anything for nine months.oh ya Iam going to get married in Antigua this spring as well,and dont let this slow you down.Ieven put a left handed throttle on my sled too. Call me my name is Brian 1 914 557 8536. Thanks and good luck.

That sounds great Iam really happy for you. I would love to talk to you when your out.I had my surgery in july at the mayo clinic.Iam already seeing great results and its only been 4+ months,and I was told not to expect to see anything for nine months.oh ya Iam going to get married in Antigua this spring as well,and dont let this slow you down.Ieven put a left handed throttle on my sled too. Call me my name is Brian 1 914 557 8536. Thanks and good luck.

Ray & Linda, congratulations to you both - because this whole thing is definitely a team effort. We're thrilled the surgery went so well at Mayo & that Ray's recovery seems to be speeding along. Say 'hey' to the team up there, & continue to keep us posted.

Best wishes for an exciting 2006!

Ellen

I am back home now and pretty uncomfortable sleeping with a 7/8 arm cast with a sling to keep the arm at 45 degrees. No real pain in either my arm or the leg where muscle was removed. Only headaches, which Dr. Shin thought might be caffiene withdrawl. No Caffiene for 8 weeks! Oh well, I am starting to get used to it. This will be good time to catch up on my reading.
Take care all, ~Ray

Ray & Linda,

Congratulations on coming thru the surgery so well! I remember another Mayo patient having a really hard time giving up his chocolate (again, caffiene) for all those weeks. Maybe they should warn their patients to start tapering off a couple weeks before surgery??

Anyway, best of luck on your continued recovery. Let us know what you're reading!

Take care,

Ellen

Hey everybody, went back to Mayo yesterday, (Jan.4), for the cast removal. They did form a splint to make sure the arm does not fully extend.
Dr. Shin was exited that everything looks good so far.
Dr. Bishop was also happy with the progress and there is great healing underway from the donor area of my leg.
I cannot even tell anything is missing because other muscles make up for the part gone.
They gave me easy exercises to perform at home and an electronic muscle stimulator to get things firing.
I'm okay to drink coffee again and we stopped at Starbucks on the way home. The drive up there was pretty bad, with rain & dense,heavy fog at night.
It was a good thing a trucker that passed us and realized we couldn't see and slowed to allow us to follow 35 miles to Rochester. At one point he must've ran over a tailpipe/muffler section and kicked it up in our path.
Nothing but praise to my fiance,Linda, who swerved at the last minute without losing control and keeping the car on the road we could not see.
So. I am in the last leg of my recovery but still
haven't read all my old magazines that have stockpiled or any books. It has been smooth sailing recovery- wise except for trouble getting to sleep.
I really do not want to go back to work in a couple of weeks, . ~Ray

Ray & Linda,

Thank you SO much for the update. It sounds as if things are progressing well for you. Linda sounds like pure gold and you're lucky to have her by your side through all this.

Please continue to keep us posted & take care of yourselves,

Ellen