United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, Rick made it through surgery at University of Michigan on Tuesday. Dr. Yang said he has lots of scarring, primarily at C5 - C7. She did an ulnar nerve transfer.

Rick spiked a temp last night and had problems with wheezing and congestion. We called U of M but they didn't seem too concerned. We thought perhaps the wheezing was due to his large doses of oxy but the resident didn't seem to think that would be the cause. Any thoughts?

How long did it take you guys to get over the surgery pain? And how soon did you notice any signs of function? Any advice to optimize recovery? What can I do as his caregiver? I try so hard to empathize and to make him feel better, but the pain is constant and I cannot fully understand what it's like.

And, it's flipping cold, I know that doesn't help much either!

Take care all and I appreciate your thoughts! I pray for all of you everyday! Kim

After my ulnar transfer, the doc said it would be 4 - 6 months before bicep started to recover and 6 - 8 for the deltoid if it recovered. 4 was pretty accurate for the bicep, I just started to notice it getting significantly stronger but I've been working it hard (it's been 10 months) But I've had minimal deltoid, I think I noticed a little at 8 months but not much since. But continue t work it no matter what. Sorry, can't do anything about the cold.

I am one month out of surgery so I am not too sure about the recovery parts of your question just yet.

As for the coughing and weezing - I also had this pretty bad. It hurt for me to breathe well so I was not breathing deeply enough. They had me do a spirometer multiple times a day to make sure I took deep breaths; clearing my lungs out and reducing my fever and risk for pneumonia.

I am one month out and still have pain with mine if I am moving and what not. But I would say that after about two weeks I did not have pain unless I moved - for about two weeks though I had soreness from the surgery constantly.

For me, I have good and bad days... sometimes when the pain is just too much and I get frustrated no matter what anyone does I just can't seem to be happy. So just be understanding of that if he is like that (perhaps that is just me though hehe).

Good luck with it all!!! I will keep your family in my prayers!

Thank you! We are 1 1/2 weeks out from surgery and he still has pain from surgery, too. The breathing seems to have gotten better, but he's been sleeping upstairs. I don't know if something in our room is bothering him or if it was surgery-related.

At any rate, the recovery has been more than what I thought it would be. With sleepless nights it seems like having a baby all over again. Thank goodness for weekends - I'm hoping to catch up on my sleep! Between work, kids, and taking care of my husband, this week or so has been hectic.

Kim
Wife of LTBPI