LOL bigsam, that is my new name, .. Brokeback Lisa, no relation to brokeback mountain. haha

My accident happened 02/26/2006, 26 is now my worst number (maybe sparky's too). I was riding and didn't know a bump was there, hinden by tall dead grass, and I hit the dip at an angle and it threw my off the right side, and I landed head first and went head over heals 4-5 times. life lighted to the hospital, with a broken back, two fractures in my neck, broken nose, internal bleeding, and bleeding on the brain. Had surgery two days later, they took pelvic bone from back by my butt and moved it up to reconstruct my back, so I have two seperate incisions on my back.
nose healed by itself and so did my neck.
It's now may 23rd and as of april 28th Dr says I am healing fine and everything looks good, and where the rods and screws are they can stay in forever unless it causes me problems. He says two years and I should be about back to where I was before my accident, not all the way but pretty close to it. I will ride again, I just have to be extremely cautious, but not sure what to expect.

To answer LW's questions, and others I was on a 03 yamaha raptor 660, I am 26 yrs old, female, 118lbs, 5 ft 3. I had everything going for me, the quad stuff, jet ski, I work out, my own house, living alone, but after all this I'm not sure what to expect, my favorite thing was to ride at the dunes and ride double, and I'd just ride and hold on and do things I hadn't done on my own, but affraid I won't be able to do that anymore, some things at my house not sure I can do again, cut grass (pulling the cord on the push mower), riding the jet ski. So I am just wondering who has been in my situation and what I can expect. You all have been helpful and I appreciate it!!!!!

By the way LW do you still have the rods and screws in your back???
And yes I have constant pain, but sometimes it's not too bad and other times its miserable.
Dragginbutt it's lake weather again, so I will be spending a lot of time at the lake, hope thats as good as the swimming pool thing you were talking about, well I will be close to a pool too, so got that covered, just hope it helps. And Yes depression is bad, and I dread getting out of bed in the mornings, some days are bad enough I wish I hadn't made it .. I know its bad to say, and I hate to say it. But after all this, DB I am still happy I am still able to walk and no one has to wipe my *** or change my depends ... hahahahahahaaaa.

If I haven't bored you yet, I want to say thank you to all of you who have responded and given me a word of advice. THANKS!!!!!

 

You guys are forgetting the author of this thread is a woman

Now I haven't seen brokeback mountain, but if it was about cowgirls I probably would have!!!
LOL


Wow bitchy, sounds like you did have everything going for ya. I hope you make a full recovery. Makes my injury seem like a paper cut. I ruined my cast riding in the mud on Sat. You must be going nuts!!! I know what you mean about the depression. I sleep a lot during the day now. I hope I can get back on schedule. I've been trying for about a week now. Regaining some of your abilities will really help with that. Just riding on Sat. made me feel a lot better.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope for a speedy recovery. Soon you"ll be in for another fight......getting off the pain med's. It can be some battle. About day 2 or 3 your skin will start to crawl. Then you cant sleep. It will seem like someone is shocking you. You'll be in a foul mood. Just prepare yourself and after a week to 10 days it will go away. You sound like you"ll make it. Dont give in or you"ll be on them for life and you might have to anyway. Good luck!

 

Bitchy,
Yes, I still have on the fuses, screws, & rods.
Thank you for history. Okay let's start with pain. First it sound like you clearly understand conditioning. Use multiple gel or ice packs to control pain during workouts. When you are out and about, especially standing, plan resting areas, i.e. benches, chairs, car, etc. You are going to beat the pain, but with proper conditioning and eating right. Treat yourself like a seasonal athletic, you are injuried. You don't need to be in the game right now. Your going to rebuild. Usually doctors will avoid telling when and if when, because patients will give up their conditioning. Guess what you are not!
During the first 9 1/2 months, I continued to improve. The pain sucks, OK. In time you build a tolerance as your nerves regrow. I had to learn to walk after being in the hospital a month. They told me after a year I would level out. Not true, I'm improving all the time at 3 1/2 years. About 2.5 years, I could run (not as fast), I can jump and stretch to the floor. Eight years up to my accident, I used to do martial art called Aikido, three days a week. I now can do forward flips easily again. I still do some fighting, but it's Krav Maga street fighting. Interesting side note, during rehab., one of my doctors (when he was not working) took me to a Bruce Lee fighting dojo (in Idaho) called Jeet Kune Do for a few sessions to re-inspire me. The pain was still too great, but I regained some of interest back in martial arts. Funny, I'm twice your age, so I rebuild slower and break easier.
Sounds like your trying to get off the pain meds. That's good, when you are ready. I got off the hard core stuff, fairly fast. Then I stayed on an antiflammatory for a while, but started to get concern about liver damage and got off them after a month.
Depression. Vent! Talk to friends, family, here, where ever. If you are religious, network within your religion too. Use EAP counseling services, they usually free. It's okay to be pissed and frustrated.
I too was really frustrated when I had my accident. I could not find someone with similar injuries.
That's all for now. Keep conditioning, eating right, and talking. Hope to hear from you again on your progress and/or frustration.
LW.
P.S. I just wanted say that what Dragginbutt went through was terrible 30 years ago. Progress has changed somewhat over the years. His rods are a lot thicker & surgery was rougher (sorry). His pain and suffering is out of my league. He is a hero to push through to where he is today. I commend you Dragginbutt and I hope my advice to Bitchy, did not insult you. Times change and in twenty years Bitchy & my surgery will be out dated with less suffering to the new patients.

 

I have to agree with LW, Dragginbutt is doing well after all he has been threw, but I also agree 25-30 years ago, I'm sure they didn't do the surgery they do today and in years to come, I'm sure these surgeries will improve more.

It's very frustrating where I am at now, not knowing what I will be able to do next summer, or later on, such as mowing the yard, riding jet ski, riding doubles at the dunes, ... or just to be able to lay on my back and not feel the rods, and/or screws. My thinking now is just ....... Will life ever be any better than this again????? I try to keep a positive attitude but sometimes it just doesn't work that way. I know you all have said it gets better, but I am used to pain one or two days, then it's gone, and this going on 3 months is for the birds!!!! Also do any of you know, now that my back is like this, am I in any more of a risk of say herniated disks, or any other type of back problems. I am also down to taking pain meds twice a day, once in the morning and once around bedtime, so I am trying to get off of them, but two a day seems like I might stay there for a while.

The doc told me that walking is like my rehabilitation, so I am up to 6-8 miles a day, not able to jog, or run yet, but I think I am doing fairly well, before all this I was around 10 or so a day.

Thanks for all your advice and listening to me, and helping me.

 

If you are on percosets, it is going to be very hard to get off of them.... they are addictive, and no matter how strong willed you are, it is still going to be rough. I used to dream all night... some pretty wierd ones I might add. Scary actually. It took a couple months AFTER I took my last pain pill before I was fully out from under their grip. The good thing is that you will find that the depression part is better once you get off the narcotics.

As for the pain, at least you are in a warm part of the country (I hope). Where I live, the weather changes from dry and warm, to cold and rainy, which REALLY makes you feel it. It goes away after a while, but it won't be over night. It does get better with time... In my case several years. But you must understand I am a lot older than you. And probably a lot heavier than you are too. (I was up to 320, and stand 6'4") Now that I am down to 265, I feel a lot better. But because I have no hamstrings in the right knee, and an ankle still healing, my cane and I are good friends.

The biggest thing I can tell you is to keep the goals. If riding again is one, then work towards it. Do your exercises and you will get there. If nothing else, this will teach you patience. Set little goals that you can attain quickly, and don't forget to reward yourself when you do. Maybe it is just a meal or something... it does not have to be anything big.. just that you acknowledge your little victories.

I wish that you didn't have to learn this lesson. It is one I tried to tell my own children over and over. But we can't always protect you. Just do not try to find a reason... bad things happen to good people too. Self doubt, and worry are like buying trouble. You don't need it.. and the cost is too high.

There are going to be some that will tell you to stop riding... Not me. It is one of the things that I get a lot of pleasure from, and I know the knot in the gut you are feeling right now because you can't ride.

Just don't let the demon win... You can, and will beat this thing. I know because I am older and wiser than you.. so listen to your elders....

One last thing .. do me a favor. When you are at your absolutely lowest point.. when the pain is unbearable..When you feel so alone that you think nobody can understand what you are going through, and you are ready to give up... I want you to laugh out loud, histerically. It really does work. Do it with tears running down your cheeks if you have to... but do it for me, and for you OK? Best darn therapy for the soul.

DB

 

Bitchy, First of all, I'm extremely impressed your walking so far!!! The unknown is terrible. I promise you will get better. Yes you will be okay. If I guess you will be somewhere about 90%+ of your original strength within a 2.5 years. Again your need to treat yourself like an injuried seasonal athletic. You need to set short goals. Let's focus on short term achievements. Do not jog yet. Jogging and running is hard on your back. Later you can jog or run. For now let's let your nerves heal and your pain almost gone. Your bones need to regrow. Bone regrowth normally takes about 6 months! Do you have a sports, yoga, etc. background? Is your light weight lifting routines being supported (not pulling on your back). Are your doing gentle stretches. Tell me your conditioning routines. Also I would like to know what kinds of meals, snacks, and beverages you normally have. We are going to get you back into condition gently. I respect Dragginbutt's guidance on pain meds and beating them. He knows the game, better than I. I don't expect you to be off pain meds over night. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being worst, where are you throughout the day? When does the worst occur? What are your doctor's orders on rehab / workouts? You must stay within doctor's orders, especially while your nerves, muscles, and bones are regrowing.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: Dragginbutt
If you are on percosets, it is going to be very hard to get off of them....
Just don't let the demon win... You can, and will beat this thing. I know because I am older and wiser than you.. so listen to your elders....


I saw a shirt at cavender western wear, that said "to be old and wise, you must be young and stupid" if they had that in my size, I'd buy it, but it was a mans and looked like a dress on me.
Yes I am on percocet, darvocet, vicodin, and flexeril (muscle relaxer), I am going to try to go to one pill a day in the next week or two, I take the vicodin more than any other pill.
The weather here in Kansas can change pretty quick, but I can't tell you yet how my body deals with the changes yet, but give it time *grin*
I would probably give up the sport, but I am a daddy's girl and he said he knows I enjoy it and he would like to see me on it again, so yes I will eventually get on, but the way I ride has changed .. BIG time, and I have a lot more patience and a different outlook on life, it has changed me for the worst and I believe some for the better.
THANKS DB, I will do whatever I can to laugh, and when I laugh to the point of crying I will think of you!!!!! You have been very helpful and I appreciate it.
I treat myself when possible. I dont' really have a lot in my background, I used to walk, sometimes jog or run approxametly 1/4 of a mile here and there. My background was all about 4 wheeling, jet skiing, walking, and having a few drinks here and there with friends. My doctors have not told me about weight training, but I have a weidner home weight set two person, but never used it before the accident, but a few times. Doc told me to walk and do all the walking I can. He also said at my two month checkup that everything looks good and I can start doing SMALL bends with my back, but the pain when I do that, I hate pain!!!! Meals .. they told me NOT to gain weight, so I have cereral for breakfast and lunch here and there, and always a good dinner at my parents house. But I always drink water, no pop, and an occasional mixed drink, none yet, but after my meds are gone I will have a few of those.
I would have to say the less of my pain is about a one, when I lay flat on the couch or bed after walking. the worse would have to be a four .. maybe five, and thats when I sit at my desk to long at work and try to get up and walk, or while driving in a car and hit a bump. Question will I ever be able to handle bumps in a car like I used to, cause now they just hurt.
I would like to thank you LW also for all your help and support. Also to anyone else who reads this, I appreciate it all, even those with wrist and leg brakes, anything is helpful one way or another.
I think I got most of the questions answered and thanks again for helping me out here everyone, keep me going .......... I need it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Bitchy, I am sure you will still be daddy's little girl no matter what you decide.. or have decided for you. I am sure your daddy is there for anything you need. All you have to do is ask. Right now you have to take care of you... Everyone who truly knows and loves you will understand.

You talk about weights, they may be a little hard right now. Like others have said you are really at the beginning of a long adventure. I agree that exercise is very important. At teh early stages, you want to concentrate on stretching, and tone-ing the muscles. If you have been laid up for a while, your muscles will take time to come back, and you will need to re-train a lot of them. It is scary just how fast you lose muscle mass lying around. The doctor is right, walking is very good therapy. If it hurst, slow down a bit, but work your self through it. It should not hurt.. but starting out it might be uncomfortable. I hope you understand the difference there.

Not sure running will be recommended. You will have to evaluate your progress. If it can't be done, look for something else. I have a recumbant bike that I use now, It has a large seat and a back rest. You might try sitting on one when you do your therapy. WIth the hardware you have though, I can't judge how that will work out for you.. just keep it in mind. The goal is to keep as many muscle groups working. Strength will come in time. And strength is the key to feeling better, and to pain going away. Just do not over do it, as you will not want to take steps backwards once you put your self through this.

I can tell through your writing that you are having some highs and lows. That is normal. With time, the highs will out number the lows.. and the Peaks will get higher than the valleys. You need to keep your focus when you dip into the low spots.
My favorite saying is "and this too will pass". No matter how low you go, you will come out of it. "that which does not kill us, makes us stronger". Your will to get through this will see you through.

Do not attempt to do this alone. Gather your close friends and don't be afraid to ask for help. THAT is what true friends are for. I think you will find, that they may not know what to say or do, and would gladly welcome you asking them for help. I hope so anyway.

Good luck.. and if you need to talk, and want to take this offline, send me a PM. I am always here. It might take a few days to answer, but I'll make you a promise to always help if I can OK?
DB

 

Bitchy, I'm listening.

Walking is definitely a very, very, very large part of recovery. Scooter86 works in the field and includes rehab with his/her clients.

After my accident at 2 1/2 weeks I was moved to a rehab section of the hospital. For the first next 1 1/2 weeks they worked sitting me up, standing, walking and some conditioning.

At four weeks, I was sent home and on daily out patient care. By then I was still alterating from wheel chair to walker. At rehab I got a team that worked with me. We worked on very light alternating conditioning six days a week. Short periods at first. Normally most patients just get or desire two to three days of rehab. I work in the OHV field and I was planning to come back. Maybe not 100%, but coming back.

Your injuries were not the same in length, but the pain can be equal or even greater. A very, very small nerve injury can be the worst pain. Right? I love hearing you are at a level 4 in pain. After and during workouts, rest on ice packs with towels for a few minutes, it does wonders. Rehab people will help teach you correct methods. Though it was months before I could drive. I remember getting out of short or lower cars. The twist, the pain. The first big issue in rehab was getting out of bed. The famous rehab art to roll out of bed and pain associated during the early months. Failure to do right was enforcement with pain. Rehab started me in the pool after my stitches were out. In the early months, I was still trying to rebuild muscle & cut pain to walk with the metal neck brace. I still use a lot of the same workout exercises today (from my 9 1/2 months rehab) that I was taught by the rehab staff.

I enjoyed the comment by Dragginbutt on lost of muscle while in the hospital. The lost, shocked me.

Have you and your doctor discussed some professional rehab?

Oh, I don't do much sit time on ATVs. I ride more attack stance, except for cornering, flat trails, & dirt roads. I use my legs and arms as part of my suspension. I use my ATV riding as part of my fitness training. Even on all day rides on easy long trails, I got to get up periodically or I become lazy and prone to injury. On jet skiis, it's similar, attack stance on rough water & jumps.

Bitchy it's okay to be bad and upset. It sounds like you are taking it out through your walking. Be careful. Work with your pain, but please don't hurt your healing body. Fast and hard isn't rehab. Smooth and gentle endurance building will be faster while healing.