United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I havent said much since I heard I was going to Mayo in Mn to consult with Dr Spinner and his team. The consultation trip was a two day whirlwind with appts filling both days at 12 hrs apiece!
I went home knowing I was in good hands and thought I knew everything that would happen on the return trip. My myleogram was not done before I left and that was a mistake. When I got it done I found the nerves had been ripped from the spinal column and the complete fix was not to be had. If you would have hit me with a car it would have felt smaller. Get your myleogram done ASAP.
Getting back here I did the myleogram, got the bad news and suffered through a 'why me' night. Then into surgery with a muscle graft from leg to arm and a hunt for nerves to use to make it work. It was about eight hours of opening and closing.
When I awoke the Drs told my wife and I that I would be in hospital another five days and leave with a cast on my arm sticking kinda out from my body. Didnt know that!
So take your pain meds, really, get moving as soon as you can and anything else you want to know about Mayo email me and I'll try to help.
I should have movement in my arm in 6 - 9 months.

WOW!!! i hope you dont have any more surprises. but with this injury nothing surprises me any more. just gotta go with the flow. whatever it decides to do today, it will be different tommorrow. but it usually gets better, though, with time.

Yeah, a week after surgery I'm in a cast for stability and my left leg is coming around a little so I can stumble walk. At least I'm home!! I'll continue to get stronger but I think productive, by my hands, work is finished. I can think and direct but I have to be in bed or my recliner due to stamina and back problems. The stamina might resolve but the back is permanent. I have pretty much decided to give all my tools and knowledge to my nephew so his start in life will have a direction and a good push. Maybe that's the door God opened. Make somebody else's life better.

wait a minute...you are only a week out from surgery and you are already giving up? hmmm dont you think you should give it a chance? dont mean to sound harsh, but sometimes you can have results you never thought you could get. hold on to your tools but go ahead and share your knowledge. you might need your tools when you get your arm and hand back.

Please give your body a chance to surprise you. I agree don't give up too soon.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/74