[itw314]

This is my first time doing anything like this, and im not sure i am in the right place but here goes. i am 44 yrs old, male and live in the Jacksonville Florida area. I am retired military and currently am a tax preparer. Last november i caught pneumonia and one night i fell and hit my head. My wife called 911 and i was taken to hospital where i was then coded and they said my lungs were filling with fluid so i was put on a ventilator and trache. The vent ended up being for 43 days, the trache was 5 months. i was unconcious for approx 4-6 weeks (medically induced), during that time i also had numerous infections including blood infection and they couldnt figure out why. it ended up with the removal of gall bladder in May. when i woke up and finally off the vent, i was very weak from non movement and i had a severe stage 4 bedsore. my foot had also dropped, i have no feeling or movement on my left leg from the ankle down. i am home now after 6 months in hospitals/therapy but my foot is no better. i went to a neurologist and they said it was severe syatic nerve damage and chances are slim to none on getting the use back. i am still in physical therapy and trying but i am having a hard time dealing with this. i tried to walk with a cane yesterday but it was soooo hard. currently in am either in wheelchair or use walker. i just wanted to talk with people who have been through or going through a similar situation. my family is great but i dont think they can relate completely because they dont know the feelings i am going through. thanks for reading.....................itw314

[Twinkletoes]

Good morning and welcome to NeuroTalk, itw314!

Wow, I'm so sorry... sounds like you've really been put through the wringer.

You started out with pneumonia and ended up with a terrible bedsore (hope it is healing) and a dead foot (so to speak).

A couple of years ago while dealing with a broken ankle, I came across this nifty aid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_scooter Perhaps it could help you get around better and faster.

It is a non-motorized scooter that has a cushion on which you place the knee of your bad leg, then use your good leg/foot to propel it forward. It even has handlebars with brakes!

While fairly useless in my small home (couldn't negotiate the tight turns and carpet), it came in very handy at work and in stores. You can buy them, but I rented mine for just a month, until I could put weight on my leg.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you are able to find help and support here at NT. I'm sorry your family doesn't understand what you are going through, but everyone here is fighting some sort of battle, which makes us a pretty compassionate group.

Here are some healing hugs to get you started:

[Rrae]

You certainly ARE at the 'right' place!
This forum is filled with caring people, very down to earth. Please feel welcome here!

First, may I say 'Thank You' for serving this wonderful country

This is NO way to be spending your retirement years!!
You have been through a very big battle. The thing to continue reminding yourself is that ... you are on your way OUT of it!
It sounds like you've been thru the worst, and now you are trying to regain your life. Many/most people here are battling chronic conditions, so you certainly are not alone. The compassion and strength you'll gain here is incredible. A health condition(s) can be bad enough on us physically, but what it can do to us mentally sometimes is the toughest to comprehend.

There are many forums here at NT, so feel free to browse thru them and start a new thread anywhere you may feel inclined.
To help you get started, you may benefit greatly from the Neuropathy forum. It is very active and FULL of incredible knowledge to help you understand what you may be dealing with and ways to combat the pain and improve upon your health. At the top of this forum is a very informative 'sub'forum that is full of very in-depth researched material that will save you 'years' of searching. It's like a crash course AND it will help you in communicating with and understanding your medical team......(they may even learn a thing or two from YOU )
Here is the direct link to get you there, click on:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=75&f=20

Hope to see you around and get to know you better!
Truly Caring
Rae

[azoyizes]

Hi, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with many caring, helpful, and friendly people.

We're so glad you found us!

[NurseNancy]

hello and welcome,

OMG, you have been thru way too much.
i'm glad you have a supportive family. never give up trying. you sound like such a big fighter. give yourself some time.

you might need to use aids to help yourself but PT should be able to help with that. do you have a rehab dr?

i hope to hear how you're doing.
God bless, and here's my get well wishes.

[dahlek]

Please take a look around all the forums and see where you best 'fit'? But never ever anywhere be afraid to ask questions! We've all been thru a very wide variety of what I call the 'medical food processors'? Maybe substitute 'food' with 'people'? You must know what I mean by now.
I'd ask for and maybe even demand that you try and get as an agressive physical therapy program going for you? I do know that: When ya don't use it? Ya Lose it! And often big time. Just be sure, to ask for exercises and any 'tools' you mite need to do them at home safely. Most are easy and don't require complicated or expensive equipment. Therabands and balance discs are two that helped me immensely in re-learning to walk twice. BUT, you must learn HOW to use/do SAFELY. Or, more problems can occur.
Read some of the stories here and you will KNOW that people here are good and caring. We are also cautious, we've learned from our mistakes and good fortunes, but we aren't doctors and can't truly diagnose you or you particular problems. But we can and do support you with trying to answer your questions, or find GOOD reliable resources for you to get answers. AND, We all have been 'chopped or pureed' in that food processor ourselves.
Keep faith? There mite not be any 'cures' here, but there are caring folks.
's - j

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us.

There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. Just let us know if we can be of any help. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene