Leila, ( I love your name)! I asked Terry what he feels has made him take all these steps recently and he can't really pinpoint one thing. His muscles definitely atrophied, but he has begun to rebuild them a bit. He had GREAT LEGS! He doesn't do PT accept in the summer in a pool. He can completely walk in a pool. He has this buoyant waist belt that assists him so he can go the distance. I feel some of the reason he was able to take these steps is that he is always in and out of his wheelchair, he stands a lot cooking and gardening using the wheelchair for balance if needed. I also think if he didn't have shoulder issues, he would have been able to use a walker or crutches much sooner or more often. His arms became his legs and now his shoulders are shot thanks to osteonecrosis (prednisone induced). One shoulder replacement and 1 other surgery on each shoulder. His other shoulder needs to be replaced. I'm wondering why you don't have a firm DX?? The gradual deterioration sounds more like MS to me. I am no doctor, tho. Have they done a brain MRI? I'm so sorry for your decline. As everyone says here, keep up the PT!! And we need to continue to push for stem cell research! Sandy
Dear Sandy, Thank you so much for telling about Terry walking. This is a beautiful miracle. If you have time, please tell me how you kept his muscles from getting atrophied all those years. Any special exercises? I have TM or possibly MS, not sure, since five years, gradual deterioration, now in wheelchair, unable to stand since two years. I am not paralyzed though. I do exercises daily with legs and arms. I am using an electronic lift for transfers and I have a caregiver day and night. I wish to know what to do to start walking again. I believe it is possible. Your letter gives me renewed hope. I would love to know what Terry did to start walking, something that would help others. Please write! Leila **************One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp %26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom00000001)
