wayne’s blog
Today we are going to backtrack of why and how we arrived here. This blog is excellent for communicating with family and friends, but part of its function is a tool and hope for prospective candidates with similar injuries. Apparently a biography was to be initially given. Wayne’s truck/car accident occurred on Oct. 19, 2004. He had a cervical contusion at C-4/5 level. A contusion is similar to a bruise. The edema or swelling may be temporary or may be as permanent as if the cord was severed. Spinal cord injuries are classified as complete or incomplete. Luckily, Wayne’s was incomplete. He also had a fx. left scapula, 9 fx. ribs, contused lung with hemothorax. He did not have a scratch or bruise on his body, but was left paralyzed, unable to move from his neck down. He had surgery on his neck for stabilization. Several days later he had resp. difficulties and required intubation and placed on a ventilator. He was finally weaned off the machine 2 months later. He was an inpt. in Rehab Institute of St. Louis, Missouri for 2 months. We rejoiced Feb. 10, 2005 when Wayne came home. He traveled by van with a lift to rehab ( approximately 60 miles one way) 3 times a week for approximately 3 months. Wayne does approximately 5 hrs. of rehab daily. Jarrett Buckner, a caregiver stays with Wayne while his wife is at work. Wayne uses an electrically stimulated bike that fires his muscles to turn the pedal s 2 hrs. daily. He uses the highest resistance possible. This is the bike that family and friends graciously helped us purchase so he could use it daily. He also has an arm ergotomer that is like a bicycle for his hands. He does this independently for 30-40 minutes daily. We have a standup frame that enables Wayne to stand up with support for 30 min. We also have electrical stimulation through small electrodes on his arms, abdomen and legs to stimulate nerve and muscle growth and increased strength. He also does range of motion exercises, flexibility exercises, bowflex machine and during the summer hydrotherapy in the pool and whirlpool for circulation. I am his wife and I’m prejudice, but my husband is the most motivated, strong willed and courageous man I know. His faith, family and mental strength ( was Popeye mentally strong?) remain consistent. Visitor after visitor have said, ” Wayne I don’t know how you do it- I couldn’t. ” Please don’t think this has not been a constant twenty -four seven struggle. No one but Wayne could tell you. For God has said, I will never leave you; I will never abandon you. Hebrews 13:5. Wayne has always worn THE BIG DOG t-shirts. The kids and grandkids have always known this is a good present for whatever reason. The expression – what counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog! This describes Wayne. He has regained strength and movement in his arms in the past 2yrs 8 months. He has sensation in various places on his legs. We pray for hand mobility, general strength and increase in sensation and movement. God Willing Wayne and Deb
9 comments June 14th, 2007
