I have been asked to write about my life since my spinal cord injury. Those who know me know that I have had many obstacles and many surgery's. I will be posting about this weekly. So lets get started...
While vacationing in Chelan, Washington July 1, 2001, I fell off of some playground equipment ( monkey bars) and dislocated C6/C7 vertebrae resulting in permanent paralysis. I was taken by ambulance to Chelan hospital where I had a scan that showed I had extensive damage to my spinal cord region. I was then helivaced to Central hospital in Wenatchee, WA. Once there, an mri was performed and it found that I needed emergency surgery. Neurosurgeon, doctor Alfred Higgins performed surgery, correcting my dislocation and stabilizing my neck with attaching a piece of my hip bone and metal screws to the damaged area. I was then fitted with a Miami-J cervical neck collar which was to be warn for the next 2 1/2 months. After coming out of recovery I was placed in intensive care for 8 days, and then I was placed in a standard room for 2 more days. My blood pressure was very low preventing me from sitting up in a wheelchair but only once during my stay. My husband stayed by my side the entire length of my stay except only to sleep at night. Other family and friends started to arrive immediately. ( more to come).
I'm glad you're posting this. I will follow along - looking forward to the whole story.
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