United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My son had his injury Oct '05 and has several avulsions. He is scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Nath next week. He also had a traumatic brain injury and has difficulty retaining information. However, he can carry on a conversation and is still quite intelligent. He is at a rehab facility in Texas. He asked me about talking with other people who have gone through simular experiences. He has had a terrible problem with pain. His doctors have discounted his level of pain due to him having a brain injury. It has been heartbreaking to have him go through all of this. So, if someone is willing to call him, please email me and I will give you his phone number. Thanks, Michele

Hi Michelle , I spoke with sam ??Correct and I advised him of some of the pain meds that worked for me and others to, as I advised you too. Its hard for anyone without this injury to truely feel/understand the cruel pain related too this accident. I hope and pray he gets the help he needs its a long road ahead .When I spoke with sam I did not get much of a response he seemed really down or not interested in talking , I tried relating not just to our injuries in common but to our interest in bikes and snowmobiles and other things as well. I tried everything and I felt I was not getting to him, we spoke for etleast a hour. I told him their is hope and that you have a great mom to do all that you are doing for you. I will gladly talk to him again if you wish.I was helped by many people on this website and want to do the same when I can. I think he obviously needs all the help he can get as all of us on this site did and do, but Sam seems really depressed and non responsive. I wish I could do more for you and Sam. So call me if I can , I will be at the Mayo clinic this week for my six month check up after surgery I hope it goes well. Best wishes Brian

Thank you Brian...Sam did remember that he talked with you. I think that's why he's been asking me to talk with other BPI people. I agree that he's down and depressed. He's had enough of being institutionalized. He's had enough pain. He's really angry about it. I think he'll be seeing a pain specialist soon. I'll be flying out there tomorrow and will stay through his first surgery with Dr. Nath. I may end up bringing him back to AZ soon and setting up some kind of rehab program for him here. He has a good friend who is willing to help. Someone in another posting talked about a good physical therapy program in Phoenix. Thank you so much for talking with Sam. I'm certain he would like you to keep calling him. He is engageable and very articulate when he's not so angry about the pain. I wish you the best on your 6 month check up. Please let me know...Michele

Hi Michele,
I have a TBPI, and I also work with individuals with cognitive brain injuries. It's a rehabilitation program for clients with different levels of function. i don't know if there is something similar to our company where you live, but i've seen clients make so much progress that they end up working jobs and have minimal supervision. look into it, some cognitive therapy might do wonders...
good luck,
Gillian

Hi Michele,

I'm so sorry about your son's accident, and I bet if feels like a double whammy since he also has the brain injury. As the mom of a tbpi who was injured a bit over three years ago, I can well remember that the pain was the worst thing to see John (at age 15) go through.

The good news is that for most people, the pain seems to get better over time. I think part is from the movement that is returned via the surgery - since the brain says 'move' and the arm indeed does, even if powered differently. But also a lot of people are able to develop pain management techniques. There are other threads that address this, but what worked for John was avoiding stress (as much as possible), getting enough rest & to stay busy/distracted.

Take care & good luck with the upcoming surgery.

Ellen