United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

hope your feeling ok Courtney - we've been prayin for ya!
-francine & maia

Thanks a bunch Francine! I just got back home about an hour ago. Dr. Nath said the surgery went great! There was a bit of bicep firing, like he thought, so he did the nerve transfer! YEAH!!! I spent Friday night in the hospital and he let me go Saturday morning! Now I just have to wait about 2 months to give the nerve time to grow! Dr. Nath thinks I ahve a good chance 5to get some function back! Thanks for the prayers Francine and everyone! I will keep you posted!
Courtney

this is great news Courtney - we will be praying for biceps for you!! wow

can you share more info about it? where did he transfer the nerve from? how big is your incision? how long did the surgery take? are you having pain?

100 questions eh? - I'm just so curious.

hope you are sleeping well - you take care now,
francine

Courtney,

Glad to hear that your surgery went well and that you made it home safe. How did your sister's surgery go? Keep us posted on your progress! (I don't know if you will remember me, but we were waiting for clinic appts at the same time at Camp. My 5 yr old daughter (non-BPI)was the one who took her shirt off and then all the other kids wanted to take their shirts off. She is the one behind you in the picture of you and your Mom waiting for your appt. My 2 yr old (BPI) is the one who we had to carry in to see Dr. Nath kicking and screaming because she was having too much fun running around outside in the rain without her shirt on!) Hoping for a speedy recovery and signs of bicep!

Julie

WOW! I feel famous now! Julie, yes I remember you, your girls were a riot! As for the surgery, it was about 3 hours. Dr. Nath took 15-20% of my median nerve and attached it to my auxiliary nerve I believe. Hopefully once that grows down to my bicep, it will work! I ahve not seen the incision yet but Dr. Nath said its only about 4-5 inches right in my armpit (because I have great ROM, it didnt have to go down my arm at all!) Thank GOD for 2.5 years of PT that I hated from time to time! I took a pain pill in the hospital, but just for a headache! I havent noticed any pain at all! If I move my arm wrong, it is tight but no pain! I have to wear my sling for a straight 3 weeks 24/7 (I havent been wearing it much these days) no ROM for 3 weeks, no PT for 4 weeks, no gym for 2 weeks, and then only treadmill for next 2 weeks! Been a bit rough trying to sleep on my back again with the sling on too! I usually sleep on my tummy with my arms under my pillow! I have really lucked out with pain with this whole injury though! I will go see my family doctor on Tuesday to check the incision and I will report more then! Thanks for the support and HI to all the kids! Oh my sisters surgery went well too! She gets her stitches out in 2 weeks! I have none to be removed! YEAH!!!!!
COurtney

Congratulations Courtney, it sounds like it went great!
Can you or anyone else tell me more about nerve transfers? I'm not too clear on this. Who are they doing this on and for what reason? What are the indications I mean....What will it do when it all heals? Can these be done on children who haven't had nerve grafting done?
Best of luck in your healing!
Jaime

Jaime,
I think it really depends on the extent of the injury. My accident was 2.5 years ago. Usually after 2 years, if the muscle has not been used, it dies off. Dr. Nath was surprised to see that I still ad the bulk in my arm 2.5 years later and when he felt my biceps, hr though there was a chance that the muscle was not quite dead. When he got me opened up, he had his "electrical team" do an EMG and the muscle was not dead. There was some sort of nerve still conected to it, but not enough for it to function. In transfering part of the median nerve, the one that works your hand (I have great hand function), The hope is that it will regrow to the biceps and get them functioning again! I hope this makes sense! Always something to ask your doctor about! Take care!
Courtney

Courtney,

So glad you and your sister are both home and doing well. Thank you and your mom for keeping us posted.

Continue to do well,

Hugs,

Karen

As the day is going on, I am starting to notice a bit of pain now! But I think the worst thing is..... be prepared for this..... is the smelly armpit! And boy can I smell it! YUCKY!!!!!! I get it looked at tomorrow so hopefully it looks good!
Courtney:)

You are probably getting tired. Don't overdo it. Your body needs rest to heal. You are so energetic, I know it is hard to rest.
Nancy