Hey friends! It's been about a week since my last blog, but here is this weeks' deal. I made quite some improvements all things considered: I used only one forearm crutch; of course with the assistance of my pt, Becky. The good thing is I was able to do this for about 200ft. I also, did very well in the double bars, holding up myself, walking by myself, and all Becky had to do was to ever so lightly touch me btu really she was just making sure of my safety. Even BEcky said, this waspossibly the best double bar walk she has ever seen me do. I am also doing well with the "calm your mind" excersises, she has me do. A combo of pilates and yoga, haha, who would have thought I would ever do the "fu-fu/girlie" stuff!!
Oh well, you gotta start somewhere.
On Wednesday, we had an appointment with the Internal Medicine doc at Womack. Good news, NO I DID NOT BREAK DOWN INTO PIECES - so my Post Traumatic Womack Syndrome seems to have somewhat subsided! He is a likeable doc and seems to be open minded. He was surprised about my muscle strength and ability to retain/gain it. You see, the MS situation is not out of the picture for military docs yet but I am just not fitting the "typical" mold for it. Needless to say, I am kind of a head sratcher patient for them. Also, my MRI was not what I hoped for, however, it baffles the docs as well because my lesions seem to "move" from one side to the other meaning from the back to the front, left to right, etc. It doesn't appear necessarily that I have more but I certainly do have a lot of them, the radiologist said too many to count. Great.... Anyway, the radiologist did NOT refer to it as MS which is good news considering that my diagnosis of Neuro Lyme is controversial. The IM doc considers to have me checked for some chemicals because I had exposure in Iraq plus some of my former team members seem to have issues as well, some symptoms are alike some very different. Of course the TBI portion is still in the mix and according to the doc, he was very honest by stating, they just don't know enough about it yet. So I continue being the odd ball but I also know I am only one of many odd cases these days.
All in all, I have to keep my mind and spirit strong and focus on my physical gains rather then my losses or brain imaging. This is really tough to do but I have to because otherwise this situation will hurt me even more and backfire.
Keep looking for blogs and God bless all of you
Keep the faith son. You will beat this. Love YOU, Mom
ReplyDeleteHello Darren,
ReplyDeleteI do not know if you remember me, but we went to school together... seems like so long ago. Life has taken me on quite a few adventures and unfortunately I have not been very good at keeping up with most, but I am so grateful that somehow I got on the e- mail list to hear about you and your family. I am more sorry than I know how to put into words, but after reading your blog I am so encouraged that you seem to be approaching this huge obstacle just the way I remember you! Though we didn't know each other well, my memory of you is that you were one of the most positive, strong, driven, kind, people around! I have a feeling all who know you would say the same. I am so thankful you are tackling this with such courage and that you are surrounded by so many people who love you and believe in you. I hope that this new year brings you and your family lots of laughter and your days are filled dreaming and planning all the great things ahead for you all once you lick this thing! The most sincere God Bless you that I can send-you and the rest of your crew will be in my prayers.
Heather Stewart Wirth