United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hey all, I know that we have some nurses out there and lots of knowledgeable people. My Dad, who just turned 68 this week, has been battling cancer and went thru chemo, feedng tube... everything.... and at his last check up they told him that there is no trace of cancer in his body!! He has gained all of his weight back and has hair now and is doing great! He has very blonde hair and it is coming in curly and black! I just got a call from my brother that my Dad woke up this morning and his right arm was limp - he can't move it. He has a Dr's appt today but I'm wondering if any of y'all have heard about this type of thing in the right arm. Could it be a pinched nerve? I'd just like input please because it will be hours before I hear anything and the waiting is so hard..
Thanks for listening and for any help - It is very much appreciated!!!
Christy

He could have stretched his plexus from sleeping in an odd position. I remember hearing a specialist say that there is a "saturday night plexus injury" that he sees every now and then. Comes from someone who's drunk, sitting up with their head slouched over and sleeping that way and waking up to a plexus injury from the bad position. I'm not comparing your brother to a saturday drunk (sorry the example is so crude) but just giving you the example about how bad positioning for hours at a time can affect the plexus.

Christy,

I've been thinking about you all day. I have no idea and didn't know what to say! I hope you get some answers soon and please let us on the board know what happened and how your dad is doing!

Kate

Christy,

I am afraid that I'm not really going to be able to offer much information, as my area of nursing is labor and delivery, mother/baby care. I do want to offer my prayers to your dad and family though. Keep us posted.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom

Could it be a stroke? I'm not a nurse but doesn't paralysis sometimes happen with strokes? I think especially on one side b/c which ever side of the brain the stroke happened on...the opposite side would be affected. I could be completely off, but just a suggestion.

I wondered that too, but it usually affects the whole of one side...
Marieke

Christy, what was the outcome and is it still flail?

Thank you EVERYBODY who thought about my Dad and cared enough to reply and I'm sorry that I did not get back on the board to update until now. I was waiting for more info and have been on the phone for days with my entire family. He still is having problems moving his right arm. My parents live in a very small town and Dad's doctor is way older than my 68 year old Dad... and I'm feeling kind of helpless being so far away. The doctor told my parents that Dad had a rotator cuff injury, that it happens in people older (????) and that he needed a a cortisone shot once a month. Dad got his shot - it did not help. My nephew has a degree and is a radiologist and says that he sees a lot of this from cancer patients after treatment - for some reason something goes wrong and they can't move an arm. I believe my nephew more than I do the doctor in the small town - but at this point we do not know not how to HELP him. According to my Dad, my Mom helps him button, comb his hair and get ready for work and he then starts the truck with his left hand and works for half a day. It's hard to live far away when you feel like you should be right there and I knew that friends here would help and they did:) I will update more as I find out more and thanks once again for caring - it meant a lot to me to have y'all to listen and turn to.
Christy

I would think that it is "THERAPY" related and that it is probably nothing to worry about. The same thing happened to my mom after chemo only it was her leg. It was transient and went away eventually. Good Luck....I too was far away and it was terrible....fortunately.....I knew the family doctor that was in charge of her care and could call him anytime....I needed an honest answer...but that was before "PRIVACY LAWS" were so stringent.....GAYLE

Christy,

How is your dad doing? Anything new?

I know just what you mean about how hard it is to live far away from your aging parents, especially when they are having issues, or are very ill. It REALLY, REALLY stinks and is just so hard on the heart. I have spent a lot of time traveling this past year, just for this reason, and sometimes wish I could move closer to my father.

Sure hope he is doing better and you are getting additional information.

Lisa