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  • #46
    The pain has lessened, rehab is making progress.
    Dr's said he might be able to go home in two weeks.
    The Great White Buffalo has Returned

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    • #47
      Oh my goodness this is great news.

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      • #48
        Very glad to hear that. Cant imagine what it's been like for him and his family.

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        • #49
          Originally posted by Great White Buffalo View Post
          The pain has lessened, rehab is making progress.
          Dr's said he might be able to go home in two weeks.
          Great news. This puts everything in perspective.

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          • #50
            Hey Guys,
            Thanks to all for the well wishes and prayers.

            Before any wild guesses or rumors get started, I guess I better get it out there.

            At present, I am paralyzed from the mid-stomach down, the result of a back procedure gone wrong performed on Sep 23. Yes.

            On July 26 I awoke with severe middle (thoracic) back pain. Unbelievable rolling muscle spasms and pain off the charts. Went to hospital emergency room (by ambulance). Unable to do CT or MRI scan because I could absolutely not lay flat on my back because of the indescribable level of pain. Tried 2 more MRI's. Same story. Referred to a pain specialist, Brian Hasselhoff, MD, Panhandle Pain & Spine (a warning to all who read this). He decided to do the following, 1 inject the nerves with steroids. Wait and evaluate the effectiveness, 2 if that didn't work, inject the nerves with some pain killer. Wait and evaluate, 3 do a nerve block on the nerves.

            I showed up on Sep 23, walked in to day surgery facility using my walker. The Dr. skipped the first 2 procedures and went directly to the nerve block, never telling me what he was going to do. After the procedure I was paralyzed from the mid-torso down. Taken to BSA Hospital. Horrible pain from rolling spasms and my back. Finally did CT scan. Radiologist read it. Neurosurgeon reported that it appeared that I had osteomyelitis in the spine (back bones were infected probably from a long term uncured bladder infection) and it had damaged the spine from the procedure. My options were 6 weeks IV antibiotics, beat the infection and hope the spine heals or surgery (and IV antibiotics). Surgeon felt surgery inserting steel rods and screws might cause more damage than benefit. I agreed that antibiotics alone was best path. Spent 8 days at BSA hospital in Amarillo.

            Did 5 weeks of IV in rehab hospital. Been in another nursing/rehab facility for 3 weeks. I hope to go home in a couple weeks..

            At first, the only movement I had was the ability to barely move my right toes. Today, 9 weeks later, my physical therapist says I have some movement in both legs. By that, the therapist feels the muscles moving, I can't. I can move toes, move ankles left and right with therapist holding them up a bit, press down on knees, bend knees, etc. All the movement is very slight or small. But, the nerves are sending signals and the muscles are responding. I have very, very little feeling. Who knows how long this will take? If the process continues, a couple years? Maybe more. It's most likely I will make progress but never not need a wheelchair.

            One problem is my weak and partially paralyzed core/torso. I'm also incontinent. That's fun. But, I am getting stronger and the torso will come around.

            Meantime, I have received my new powered wheelchair. A hospital bed has been shipped to my house, as well as an expensive Hill/Rohm air mattress is on the way. I'm awaiting my power lift. The only way I can be lifted out of bed or my wheelchair is on a sling tethered to a hydraulic lift. I have hired a private pay home health care outfit. I'll need lot's of help. Costly help. Medicare don't pay ****. I bought all my equipment, $12,000. I'm budgeting $60,000 a year for about 56 hours a week care. We"ll see how it works out. Maybe, once I get in a groove I won't need as much care. My wife is too weak to help. I have a lot of adjustments and accommodations to figure out and make. When you're paralyzed, an inch might as well be a mile.

            I will admit, another way out was uppermost on my mind the first month or more. An easy way out. Take some pills. Go to sleep. Never wake up. However, I'm not a quitter. Never have been. I finally came around.

            So, I'm going to give it a good shot. Hopefully, by April or May, I'll be shopping for a handicapped mobility van with hand controls, etc. And I'll be riding my wheelchair back on the sidelines and in the stands for WT sports next year. I sure hope so.
            Last edited by BuffaloChip; 11-21-2019, 09:53 PM.

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            • #51
              Chip, I'm glad that you told your story. Hang in there. Easy for me to say, I'm not in your position. It has to be extremely difficult and depressing. I'm hoping for your recovery.

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              • #52
                I will keep you in my prayers and hoping for the best resuts. Thank you for sharing your story.

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                • #53
                  Sounds like you got a long road ahead my man. Bust your ass, work harder than you think you can then work some more. Best of luck toward a full recovery.

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                  • #54
                    So glad to hear from you! We have all really missed you. I know it is tough going but hang in there. You can beat this!!

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                    • #55
                      Holy cow, so sorry to hear this! Please take care, and all the best to you. It's a marathon now, but there is a finish line. You can do it, and will.

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                      • #56
                        Glad you're back.

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                        • #57
                          J.T.,glad that you felt strong enough to give us an accurate update on your status.I know this is very hard on you and your family but i also read in your comments that there is hope you will heal. Stay positive and know that a lot of people here and around you will continue praying for you and prayer is powerful.The doctors don't always get it right.Keep us posted on the progress.

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                          • #58

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                            • #59
                              It's good to hear from you. I'm sorry you have been going through this all. Keep the faith, sometimes it's all we have to get through the tough times. You and your family will be in my prayers.

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                              • #60
                                Good to hear from you Chip! Keep the faith and may the Lord continue to strengthen you. Your family and Buff Nation need their number one fan.

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