she managed to give my finger a squeeze today

that is an interesting development. Sounds to me as though the spinal cord is swollen, after sustaining damage to the cord that causes swelling it can take up to 6 months for it to go down so further improvements could follow.

Appreciation to all. You never, ever know what's round the corner, and I can tell you some things never sink in, except for the feelings of robbery and unfairness. Life really can be cruel, but that IS life.

Very best to you kenbo.

Couldn't agree with you more, Alias, in everything.

Hope all goes well for both you and your wife.

go for it kenbo
so many of us are carp at betting but this is one I am betting on for a good result
all the best
Mo xxx

I have little idea what the story is here but I know it is not quite good.

Good luck. have Faith and ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGUr6wzyT8

Just read this thread right through now. All of my best wishes to you and your wife mate

Brilliant news about the finger squeezing. It must have been amazing for you.

I remember when I started to feel my left hand side again after my stroke. It sounds slushy but it was like the room gets warmer and the sunlight comes streaming through the windows all of a sudden. It gave me the push to work harder and harder to get stronger.

Your dear wife's situation is markedly different, but I'm sure she will have the same determination I had and will get there if her body allows her to. You are massively important too. I could never have done this without my family. They were there every step of the way as I'm sure you will be as well.


Best wishes to the both of you.

It has been diagnosed as spinal infarction, as Dobbo and Studyform thought it might be. Obviously I've looked at nearly every web page I can find on it. If I hadn't of already spoken to the doctors about her case then I would have been fairly optimistic of some sort of recovery after reading all those sites. But they have told me she will need round the clock professional help for the rest of her life. My main hope for now is that she can breathe for herself. Anything more than that would be a huge bonus.
I'm lucky to have so many friends and family rallying around me, trying to be reassuring, but in all honesty they are as dumfounded as I am.

Your guys (and lasses) support really does help too. And to Hank, I really do hope that Hank Jr is giving you ear ache very soon!

Lost for words but so happy to read that your wife has managed to squeeze your finger.All of us here are hoping that things work out well for you both.

such a powerful story of how life can change forever in an instant.

Shocking.

Can you tell us Tracey's state of mind Kenbo? Can she communicate with you in any way?

That's very encouraging.. She's clearly a very special lady indeed.

Here's hoping and wishing for gradual improvement of her condition in the weeks to come, although it's a life changing and terrible thing to have happened to her, it can get less bad, s.kenbo. Stay strong mate.

Best wishes Kenbo and Tracy,keep positive.

I have just phoned them up Dobbo. I could only speak to someone on the switchboard, and they told me she had to be a patient there for anyone to see her. She is in Leicester Royal Hospital so how do I go about getting a second opinion? You hear all the time about second opinions saving peoples lives, but it seems quite hard to get one from anyone. I also tried phoning the Queens Medical Center the other day, after you mentioned a second opinion but got no help there either.

Its very difficult because she is immobile.You could ask for a referral to the hospital I mentioned but she would have to be moved there which would not be an option I guess.Is your consultant in Leicester Mr Sell?(he crops up on google).You could just ask him or the head honcho whoever he is how you go about getting a second opinion given the circumstances. It is vital you know all there is to know

I think this thread shows the goodness in people even despite the differing opinions of Chit Chat. You can tell by the amount of views that people do care and that you have our support. I think the thread has also threw up some useful info that you may not have got otherwise.

Thanks for keeping us informed, I sincerely wish you and your wife well and hope things turn for the better.

Hank, your sons story brought a tear to all of our eyes. I'm very glad things seem to be getting louder in your house. Her trach was only done yesterday, she had an uncomfortable pipe down her throat for about a day first. I thought that she would be able to talk a day or two after the op, it appears that I was wrong there. She tries to speak, and every now and then you can just about make out one word, but it's mainly lip reading at the minute.

We had a talk with another doctor today (it wasn't a Dr Sell, but I may look out for him) he pretty much told us what the others had said, it's very unlikely she will get much better than she is today, could be in hospital for a few more months, possibly going on to a spinal rehab in Sheffield after that, not to get too encouraged by any movement because it could stop as quick as it started (that didn't encourage us too much but at least he was being honest) and the worst of the news was that they really didn't know if she will breathe for herself again.

My main hope now is to sort her breathing out. If she manages to do that I will be an extremely happy man.

BB, I think many things are manageable when something happens to a loved one. You seem to be talking from experience there, may I ask what happened to you? I don't think I've read about it on here.

Ovalman. my thoughts exactly. It shows that 99.99% of people are kind, thoughtful and loving. A big big thank you to the chit-chat massive.

Not sure how I missed this thread but  Kenbo   my heart goes out to your wife that she can make a recovery  & I can only wish you both all the very best for what lies ahead.