It has taken me a while to interact on a site like this, but I feel as though I am in need of some interaction with people that have experienced the same type injury. Its one of those things where you think "this could never happen to me"...but it has.
Here is my story (very abbreviated) I took a ride by myself on my HD Streetglide on May 24th, 2008. I was on a 2 lane road headed to a crossing when an 88 year old lady simply did not see me (or hear the bike) and preceded to cross the intersection. My reaction time was around 28 feet, and I was going around 45 mph. I hit her before I could get the bike down. I have no memory of the accident. I was life flighted (the most expensive flight you'll never remember) to a great hospital - UNC of Chapel Hill. I was there for around 3 weeks. I was unconscious and on a ventilator for almost 3 days. I had severe swelling of the brain and am quite pleased that I did not receive permanent brain damage (wife would disagree). I did, with the spinal cord injury, (C5 & C6) experience TBPI. My left arm was paralyzed for quite some time. My hand has practically fully recovered but my shoulder and arm still is very weak. I had nerve transfers in Oct of that same year and am still hoping for the best. Presently, I can move my arm some...(triceps about a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 10/ biceps 2 on the same scale/ shoulder is 1 at best). Experience plenty of pain in my hand and take gabapentin (600 milg 4 times per day) to take the edge off of the nerve pain. I exercise with water areobics 3 times per week and continue to make improvements. I have gone back to as normal a life as a man can live with this injury.
New Member in NC
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hilltopfwb
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:50 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: May 24, 2008 an 88 year old lady did not see me and pulled out while I was riding my 06 HD Street Glide. The accident resulted in 9 broken bones and brain hemorrhaging. The accident's most serious results was two avulsions confirmed in my C6 & C7 vertebrae. In Oct of 08 Dr. Li of Wake Forest University performed nerve transfer lasting around 8 hours in surgery. I have limited use now of my left arm. It took until July of 09 before it moved at all, and now is moving limited. I experience burning pain in my left hand, staying busy helps keep the mind off of burning. I visited the Mayo Clinic May, 2010 and consulted with their brachial plexus team. May 1, 2012, I underwent a muscle transfer at Wake Forest University. This surgery was deemed a success and I have more movement in my arm.
- Location: Fuquay Varina NC 27526
- Contact: