So for the past few weeks I have been trying to get back into some kind of schedule. Guess maybe I should put this on my schedule too. I have not only been dealing with the pain but there are also a lot of other issues that are unseen that come along with an injury of this magnitude. My sleep is getting a little better but seems to take three steps forward two back. Forward progress is good but the set backs are hard to deal with.
First and foremost my pain level has seemed to continue along everyday. Its very frustrating cause I have yet to find something to do to help alleviate this. Although I have been sitting in the hot tub and have Mindy massage my neck muscles. That helps a lot. I can thank her enough for being so supportive and an awesome wife and even better mother. She has helped me through the ups and downs I deal with every day. Seems to be more downs lately than ups.
Physical therapy seems to have come to a stand still right now. I go and don't feel it is very productive for me. SO I am on a mission to find a new one. My biggest problem is there are not very many PT's that have dealt with this type of injury. My doctor told me today that in the last 6 years Harbourview has only seen 60 patients that have had a c-1 fracture. Now I am not sure wht their outcome was but thats less than 10 a year. From what I have read there is only a very small percentage that actually have no neurological damage as I do. So now trying to find someone with knowledge of this is small. I will find the right one they are out there.
Not very many people like to talk about their personal issues in the open. I have found through this, that hiding my feelings that does not help me or those around me. I know I should feel happy that I can still walk and talk, but I have been really depressed for the last several weeks. It has got worse the last couple. I cry for no apparent reason. I feel lost on what I should be doing. I am at a stagnant point in progressing forward in getting more mobility. I don't know what to do about it. I cant seem to turn my head further left to right. So on we go with this puzzle we call my body.
Dealing with all the mental parts of recovery are never really talked about much. I think this is even harder to deal worth than the injury itself. It so hard to get in a good mental place to start recovery when you feel like you aren't getting anywhere. It's been 19 weeks since my injury. I am definately feeling better than weeks 1-3 and better than many others but still in pain. I wish I knew the magic number of weeks is until its to the point I feel that I am good to go back to the sports and activities I love and miss so much. My softball team this fall won the championship in our league. I was so excited for them but at the same time I was really depressed that I was not part of it all. Yeah I know you all way say look at how far you have come and I understand that concept. For me though, I am still not me.
I am seeing a therapist and I am working through the mental game this has become. This is one game I will not lose.
i there, i have read your blog briefly and i would like to tell you that things will get much better. last year i was in a car accident and broke 4 bones in my neck 3 ribs and my shoulder. i wore my halo for 3 months!
ReplyDeletei am not a blogger but am doing an art project on neck fractures and in making interviews of peoples experiences. it would be great to hear from you.
d.anderson@dundee.ac.uk
Diane Anderson
Dundee
Scotland, uk
Bryan, I've just read all of your posts begining to end and wanted to thank you for writing it. I am a mother of four small girls and was in a car accident 3 weeks ago. I'm in a halo and have a C2 fracture. I was also very blessed to not have any neuroligical damage. I was looking for information on what my life may be like after my halo is removed. I can relate to so many things that you have written. Thank you for sharing and I pray that your journey with your injury will soon be over.
ReplyDeleteWow just found this site...feel for u peeps! I Fractured c1 and broke C7 a year ago........Keep ur head up it gets better hugz to all..Antoinette
Deletenetterose50@gmail.com
Just found your blog. Almost four years ago, I was hit by a car while walking across the street. I fractured C1, C2, T1, T2, my nose and suffered a severe tib/fib spiral fracture. The recovery has been rough, but it gets better. Sometimes I even forget about what I went through and feel normal again. I was in a halo for three months and have limited neck movement. I do miss roller coasters, but am grateful to still be able to be there for my kids.
ReplyDeleteHi I am in a halo and would like to know if it hurts to have it removed? and what can I expect after? I been in this for 16 weeks now.
ReplyDeleteHello anonymous
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my halo removed it did not hurt. It just felt weird to hold my head up myself. It is painful after awhile for your muscles cause they will be thinking they still need to protect your spine plus they haven't worked in so long they will hurt from over usage in a way. They will be very fatigue. Try to start PT as soon as you can. They can. Help,you with that. Did you have a fusion done or did you let them heal naturally?
If you have any per questions you want to ask feel free to email me bryanisenhart@gmail.com if you don't want to post them here. Thanks hope this helps you.
Bryan.
I'm Kelsey, an 18 year old. I was in a car accident in December. I broke 4 bones in my neck, broke my shoulder blade in half (it's the hardest bone to break in the body), and also broke 4 ribs. I thought the pain would never end. I couldn't do anything myself. My mom had to get me out of bed, dress me, feed me, and bathe me. But the human body is an incredible machine. When I got my neck brace off 6 weeks later, I felt incredible. I thank God every day for the blessings. Not many people break their neck and come out ALIVE and MOBILE. I hope you continue to have high spirits. It makes the recovery so much easier. Good luck to you. God bless!
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