- Transverse myelitis
- Interviews
eviem1's interview
How did all start?
pins and needles in thigh. Progressed to numbness and tingling and paralysis from chest down within a few days
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
yes. took 6 days - 2nd visit to Emergency and 30 hours of talking to doctors and various tests (including 3 MRIs and a spinal tap). Finally senior Neurosurgeon diagnosed me
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Neurosurgeon. Specialized physiotherapy for spinal chord injury
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
prayer and my faith
What have been your biggest difficulties?
living alone, limited help available, unable to drive and no transportation, constant pain
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
deepened friendships, strengthened bonds, new friendships within my social circled. Family live many thousands of miles away, so have only been able to provide emotional support
What things have you stopped doing?
going for walks! driving :-( going shopping, to restaurants, to entertainment when ever I want. accepting social invitations
What do you think about the future?
hope, improving, regaining abilities I lost when this hit me
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
each year keeps getting better and better! Deepened my faith in God, strengthened relationships
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
go for long walks. go shopping on a whim. drive to the mountains.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Crazy, chaotic, unpredictable, faith-filled, wonderful!
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Don't give up! When doctors give you grim prognosis, ignore them and work hard on your physiotherapy and regaining mobility.
