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Originally posted by BuffaloChip View PostHey 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.
You just wake up every day, breath, and handle that days obstacles.
Try not to think about what your life was before this. Focus on creating NEW normals. Each day WILL be better than the day before. You will create a NEW quality of life. Just remember to LIVE EACH DAY not just exist. You WILL succeed and have a WONDERFUL life ahead of you filled with much joy, love, and happiness.
I truly believe this my friend!!
- 1 like
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Chip, glad to see you back around, brother. Very brave of you to post some of that, I can promise you there are a lot of people reading this that have had similar thoughts but don't have the bravery to admit it. Will be praying for you. I'll even talk women's basketball with you if that would help ;) You know where to find me.
Comment
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Originally posted by BuffaloChip View PostHey 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.
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Originally posted by LionFan View PostChip, glad to see you back around, brother. Very brave of you to post some of that, I can promise you there are a lot of people reading this that have had similar thoughts but don't have the bravery to admit it. Will be praying for you. I'll even talk women's basketball with you if that would help ;) You know where to find me.
Comment
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Originally posted by ASUPops View Post
Unfortunately, I see this type of thing much too often.
You just wake up every day, breath, and handle that days obstacles.
Try not to think about what your life was before this. Focus on creating NEW normals. Each day WILL be better than the day before. You will create a NEW quality of life. Just remember to LIVE EACH DAY not just exist. You WILL succeed and have a WONDERFUL life ahead of you filled with much joy, love, and happiness.
I truly believe this my friend!!
- 1 like
Comment
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Originally posted by ASUPops View Post
Unfortunately, I see this type of thing much too often.
You just wake up every day, breath, and handle that days obstacles.
Try not to think about what your life was before this. Focus on creating NEW normals. Each day WILL be better than the day before. You will create a NEW quality of life. Just remember to LIVE EACH DAY not just exist. You WILL succeed and have a WONDERFUL life ahead of you filled with much joy, love, and happiness.
I truly believe this my friend!!
- 1 like
Comment
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I came home yesterday! It's good to be home instead of in a facility/institution.
Getting settled in with my wheelchair, power lift, and new bedroom setup. Sat in my home theater recliner for 5 hours yesterday and today. Back in bed now, Will get up again tonight for a couple hors when my home help aid shows up at 6pm. It's going to be a long slow process to reclaim the use of my legs, but I'm hopeful.
Watched Lady Buffs BB online and will watch Buffs in about 15 minutes.
- 3 likes
Comment
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Originally posted by BuffaloChip View PostI came home yesterday! It's good to be home instead of in a facility/institution.
Getting settled in with my wheelchair, power lift, and new bedroom setup. Sat in my home theater recliner for 5 hours yesterday and today. Back in bed now, Will get up again tonight for a couple hors when my home help aid shows up at 6pm. It's going to be a long slow process to reclaim the use of my legs, but I'm hopeful.
Watched Lady Buffs BB online and will watch Buffs in about 15 minutes.
- 1 like
Comment
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Enjoyed reading Buffalo Chips post over years. Hope he sues pants off the doctor that treated him in mean time is there a gofundme page to help with the equipment. Prayers for you sir and hope it gets better. You post was very good one of my best friends is having back surgery Tuesday morning with screws and rods he is 62 yrs old and very nervous about it. Good luck to you and hang on there. Best Regards, Armand
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This is great news. I remember corresponding with buffalo chip on here in the mid 2000's. When I moved back to Amarillo in 2008 he would reach out to me to let me know he had a spare ticket to a football or basketball game and would get to sit with him courtside. Lot of fun talking WT and LSC sports as well as politics with him. Once I moved to South Texas and WT started to decline I lost touch with him and a lot of the posters on here. It puts things in perspective and to not things for granted. Continue to recover my good friend and let me know if I can help.
- 1 like
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