Diana's Thoracic Cord Injury Blog

Still Blessed!!

Diana — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:23:11 +0000

Happy New year 2012!! I know I didnt write a while now and I am sorry:( I am just busy with my daughter who is 2 yrs 9mnths nad my son who will be 1 yr at the end of January.. God has blessed me with two beautiful children and they make my life so complete. My husband continues to take care of us.. I can now do so much more than before.. and I just love it.. Be strong ppl.. Things always work out for the best for all of us:))

Life goes on!!

Diana — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:38:55 +0000

A new life and baby!!

Diana — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:34:16 +0000

I know I promised to write but was waiting to share my good news. Well after my return home from China in 2007, Sunil and I get closer from my trip. We soon got married and deceided to start a family. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter in April 2009. She’s such a miracle everyone says. Being paraplegic and pregnant was an experience I would never forget. The Doctors were worried about my back with my SCI, bladder infections, other assocaited problems normal pregnant women face. God was on our side and my back was stronger than ever, I had no swelling like before on my back nor feet. I did get a few UTI but was quickly treated. I chose to have her by C-Section which made things even easier for me, since my doctor handled my case with extra attention. I must say to all those women especially reading this life does go on after injuries. Finding the right partner may be difficult but God has a plan for us and don’t be afraid to do things you want and please live your life…

Email Contact

Diana — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:02:39 +0000

Hello everyone… If any one wants information on my improvements or trip please email me at dianajaipaul@yahoo.com

Thank you

Home Sweet Home!

Diana — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:23:12 +0000

I am very sorry for not writing before, I had problems with my internet at home. We arrived home safely on the morning of the 26th December 2007. Everything was OK except for my wheel chair not coming from the Miami to Trinidad flight. I am very happy to be home with my family and friends. We are missing all our new friends and China.

I did not get a chance to post the Doctor’s evaluation on the stem cells for me. After they completed their procedure they said that feelings moved down a few cm from when I arrived and that the stem cells need 4 to 6 months before I could see major results, they stressed on the importance of me continuing with physio-therapy. As for the hip, the stitches would be removed next 2 weeks and the 2 metal screws can remain permanently. I have to do light therapy until the wound heals properly.

Well I promise to continue this BLOG with information and anytime I get improvements I will post it. Thank you all again for your support and love!

24th December – Travel Update

Diana — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:56:27 +0000

For everyone wondering…we are in Chicago and made it safely from China. The very long flight was from Shanghai to Chicago came in 6pm last night. We overnight a few hours in a nearby hotel and was supposed to leave for Miami at 6.00am Chicago time but had alot of problems this moring with the airport we got no wheelchair assistance and missed the flight by a few minutes. We are now on standby for another flight to Miami. My friend Desiree and her family are coming for us in the airport and we’ll be staying with them until we board our final flight home to Trinidad on Christmas day at 6.50pm. Our expected arrival time home is 11.20pm on the 25th Decmber, 2007.

Saturday 22nd December – Last day in China!!

Diana — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:06:36 +0000

Today was very long I slept late, the nurses came and washed my hair and the rest of the day was taking forever to end. Our friends visited us and the nurses said goodbye. There was however an incident that took place today. There is a wholesale market where people go to shop and bargain, mom went this morning with one of the nurses who really stayed with me on the 7th Floor and helped me after surgery. We wanted to get her a present and she was bargaining with a man for a purse and when she didn’t take it the man began beating the nurse and chasing after them. They eventually escaped and leaved the place but the nurse got some slaps and kicks and mom was so scared by the incident. We were later told that these incidents do occur at that place, it’s just that since being here we never saw any fights or heard of it.
I sat on the chair this afternoon for a while and really do hope tomorrow I will be able to sit and travel for all those long hours. We will be leaving Shenyang to Shanghai at 12.30pm; and leaving Shanghai at 6.45pm to Chicago arriving in Chicago 5.15pm all on the 23rd December 2007.

Friday 21st December 2007 – 2 days left

Diana — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:53:06 +0000

I am very sorry for not writing all week but I am trying so hard to recuperate so I would be able to go home in a few days. Well a lot happened during the week so I’ll write points:

Ã˜ Tuesday was the last day I received IV’s so I have my hands free. They did more blood tests and my blood cells were finally ok.

Ã˜ Wednesday they removed the stitches from the 1^st surgery cut. I was also allowed to sit on the wheel chair. I felt dizzy and very uncomfortable but was determined to sit which I did for about 1 hour. Then when I returned to bed we realized the cut was bleeding a lot so they changed the bandage and I was to remain on the bed.

Ã˜ Thursday started ok, the nurses changed my catheter and a few minutes after we realize the cut was bleeding so we called the nurses. This time the cut was re-opened and the Doctors came in and re-stitched it. These stitches would have to remain for 3 weeks and be removed home in Trinidad. My Doctor Dr. Wang said circulation and spasms caused

to the cut to reopen.

Ã˜ Today we are all packed and Sunil is out shopping for gifts, mom is here with me and at 2pm the Stem cell Doctors would be doing a final evaluation on me.

I will write asap to keep everyone posted…

Monday 17th December – 6 days left

Diana — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:02:24 +0000

I have been sleeping a lot over the past few days; I also started eating so, for those who know me- I am good once I eat. The IV’s have also been reduced to one hand 3 bags per day and the cough has also eased up with traditional Chinese medicine. As for mom and Sunil both of them got a fever with the cough and cold as wellâ€¦ I thinks it’s a virus on this ward everyone is sick.

The Doctor allowed me to raise the bed head a few inches, which felt great also I am allowed to turn on the side. The bed soars are getting better as well. So in 6 days I should be good to goâ€¦ go home!! I dream of home everyday and just can’t wait to get a full night sleep in my bed, without disturbances.

Friday 14th – Emergency surgery

Diana — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:08:08 +0000

I am sorry I was unable to write before. I am going through so much sometimes I can’t do anything else but cry. On Thursday I was a little better the fever was finally breaking when the Doctor ordered some x-raysâ€¦in the afternoon about 1pm he came and told me he had some bad news and I needed to do another surgery within the hour. I had no time to really think about it; because it wasn’t planned I wasn’t given anesthesia meaning I was awake for this surgery. What happened is too much to write but in a nutshell the hip moved out of place and they wanted to place another metal pin to hold to hip bone in tact. This was supposed to be a half hour procedure which was a long 2 hour surgery with 6 Doctors. I will save you the details of the surgery but my temperature went back up after the surgery and I was on IV for the rest of the night.

Today was okay my temperature went down and the nurses came and wash my hair. As for the IV’s when they were sticking the needles for blood today they couldn’t get none and it was difficult so I got away for a while. I lost a lot of blood from yesterday’s surgery so it will take me some time to recuperate from this second surgery. The only thing keeping me going now is I have 9 more days here.