United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello to all!

My name is Adrian, and I'm 23 years old. On Feb of 2007 I was riding a motorcycle and had a collision with a pick-up truck that ran a red light. The result was multiple fractures to my right leg, and right arm. I also suffered a BPI that paralyzed my anterior and posterior deltoids, as well as my bicep. I have some movement in my hand, and my forearm.

I was told by doctors to wait for about a year and if no improvement showed, then surgery would be a viable alternative.

I am of very limited resources and I have no insurance. I was wondering if anybody knows of any organization or doctors that could provide me any help, and better explain what are my options.

I thank all of you for any help you can provide, and for posting such great information on this website. Your comments have given me much needed hope!

Hi, Adrian. My daughter, Melanie was also injured in a motorcycle accident when she was 20. She has a severe brachial plexus injury on the right - all 5 nerves were pulled out of her spine (avulsed). In order to do surgery to transfer nerves they had to do the surgery within 6 months of the injury in order for it to be a success. This is the time frame they like to do surgery on the nerves. We saw the brachial plexus team out at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They are awesome! You really need to be evaluated by a doctor familiar with brachial plexus injuries to determine if you need surgery within the 6 month time frame or if you can "just wait and see." I'd hate for you to lose your window of opportunity because of some doctor who was not informed about these time sensitive injuries. Sue

Hi,

I just want to say that Sue is right about the 6 month window. Ryan also was in a motorcycle accident Feb of 2000 and he had a nerve transfer May 2000.

Yes, please see a BPI specialist.

Hugs, Karen

Mayo may be willing to help with a financial plan depending on income. I was making payments for my last surgery but it got to a point that with college my bills paying absolute minimun I was making 100 less a month than what my bills were. Thankfully my parents have been here to help me out but Mayo has a financial thing where they can adjust the bill to make it affordable to recieve care.

Doesnt hurt to call and ask! Good luck seeking treatment but I would not wait any longer to see a specialist!
Hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN

All I can advise you to do is to look into Social Security Disability and do so quickly as they will assist you financially from the date you first apply.
Scott

http://freerice.com/


Message was edited by: swhite1

I have had over 10 surgeries @ Mayo and have a payment plans each time. Regardless to other posted entries on this sight the Mayo Clinic does NOT hold any descritomcies to your injury!!!

Hello Adrian and God Bless you!! I was told the window was 6 - 9 months, and my surgery was right at the 9 months back on 11 July '07. I crashed my motorcycle 8 Oct '06. I just started getting movement in my new bicep muscle a week ago this past Wed. I got movement in my tricep about four weeks prior to that. You have absolutely got to get on the ball. The number to the Brachial Plexus Clinic is (507) 538-1988. I had the team of three Dr's Bishop, Shinn, and Spinner. Give them a call if you haven't talked to anyone yet and see what they can do for you. My email is brent.randolph@zoomtown.com if you have anymore questions, I'd be glad to discuss with you. Take good care and have someone close in your family help you out! Your mind plays a big part in times like these, keep your head up and you can do it!!
God Bless,
Brent

Hi Adrian,
I too had an motorbike accident on 26th may 07, had my first surgery within the three months following my accident, the second distall bypass surgery on 27th august 07. seems that all three heads of my deltoid are coming back, and the brachiallis part of my bicep. Im with Brent, and everyone on getting on to it as soon as possible. any chance that we have of regaining that function back, i think we have to take it, plus muscle atrophy is a pain...

shaun