United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Its been awhile since I've even logged onto the site, mainly because i didn't have much to add, and reading about someone new really made me feal nauseas. But I am here today to add that against all probabilty, the Dr.'s at the Mayo clinic (mainly Dr. Elhasaan) performed a miracle on me. The surgery I did have done was twofold, i had my wrist fused, while at the same time the cut my back wide open and attached a tendon to my trap muscle and then tunneled it to my elbow. This gave me a tricep muscle which I very badly needed. I am 5 years post accident and all the Dr.s' said that I was completely avulsed. But after about a year and a half my shoulder had pulled itself back into position, and then another few months went by and my bicep started to work. Not very well but it started to work. I tried to get every Dr. in the world to help me and nobody would. I had some terrible experiences with Dr.'s in my state and Mayo wouldn't see me because I didn't have insurance and they didn't think they could help. So at that point I had come to accept my fate and that my arm was gonna be the way it was. For a couple years I just started living my life, It wasn't until someone suggested I contact Mayo one last time. i had insurance this time so when I called they said " to send all my records and the dr.'s will review them. Well, I got all that together, procrastinated a couple months, i even made a video of myself showing what I had and didn't have. A couple days before christmas I got a call to set up an appointment. From there it all went smooth as silk. So, I don't have full use of my arm, but I do have more than I could have ever imagined. Just by having the tendon attatched properly with muscle that isn't dead, I am able to lift my right arm up straight. My arm use to collapse into my face whenever I lifted it. So having my wrist fused and a new tricep muscle, I will be able to do things that I thought I would never do again. No I won't have the use of my fingers, but beleive me when I say that any improvement is better than no improvement. So, like I said, Don't give up, don't ever give up. Well maybe Jim Valvanoe said it. But there were no words, truer spoken. Oh by the way I have some wonderful pictures, if you're interested.
Brandon Hubbard

Rtbpi 5 years

CONGRATULATIONS, Brandon and Mucho Thanks for your update. I have been wondering about you there in Seattle!
I would love to see you pictures. If you don't want to post them here on the forum, please send me a Private message(PM) here on UBPN or, i think my email address is on my profile.

Hope to see you at Camp 2010, you can really help someone there I know!
Carolyn J/ 71/LOBPI/Tacoma WA

Brandon,
Thats awesome dude! I'm glad you finally got up there and finally got some progress. I still have been debating calling them but I'm a procrastinator a bit too. Good results make me all the more likely though.

I had surgery by Dr Elhassan in Jan. He did a free muscle transfer and tendon transfer. I am 12 weeks out (4 weeks out of a brace) and can do things that i never imagined I could. I was told by the last doctor that I should be happy with what I have and to face reality that I would never be able to get my arm above my head. Well I can get my arm above my head now. I will tell everyone it is worth the risk. Having this surgery was the scariest thing I have ever had to decide to do. I had a great outcome from my first 2 surgeries and was very happy with what I had, it was more than anyone thought I would get back. I'm a nurse and I can not do my job with out my arm, I was out of work for 2 years after my accident and that was the worst part of the whole thing. I took a risk that could have resulted in a weaker arm, the lose of my job and more pain. Dr Elhassan made me feel very comfortable about the surgery and I decided it was worth the risk. I just saw him on Thursday and he was amazed with how far I have came and said I would be back to work months before he thought I would. Believe me stop waiting and go see what he can do. He is amazing, his passion is us, let him give you new possibilities. I anyone would like more infomation I can give you the list of papers he has written. I did research before I had the surgery.

What is unknown may be the key to your future and your future is worth the risk!

I forgot to put this in my post. Branon, I would love to see the pictures, I should get mine in the mail soon and we can swap.

Congratulations,Nicollette!!! You Rock TOO!!!
HUGS,
Carolyn J/71/OBPI