Hi Nancy.

Great to hear from you!

It's early days yet and I should imagine that you must still be in shock.

You seem to be a strong person ~ physically and emotionally ~ so I'm sure that you will master walking sooner than you think.

If you need any encouragement, watch the film 'Reach for the Sky' ~ but just do things in your own time.

Take care of yourself!

NANCY!!!! im so glad you get to go online! we have all been worried about you and our poor lil keets are soaking wet! how are you feeling otherwise? if your up to it ill call you and bug you since you cant talk online that much. i was so worried i had gone 3 days with no update. i wasnt sleeping when i first heard i kept getting up to check for updates and still have been i was sooooo worried about you. who else would i get into trouble with or make me laugh so hard i was crying lol. im just so happy your doing better. even my husband has been sending his well wishes your way. he would call and i would give him updates on you. you have made a huge impact on this forum and on me:) get better fast girl...i hope your wheel chair is shiney and pretty and hey you can decorate it! /hug--amber

omg nancy :):)

im so happy to see you gurl:) keep ur head up!!!!

and you WILL walk again, i just know it ... i know right now that seems impossible ... but it will happen just take it slow and let it come on it own:)

my heart feels at peace seeing you post again!!!!

Nancy, I didn't really get to know you well, but I am so glad you are feeling better.

You have been in my prayers, and continue to be.

There is a whole bunch of people rooting for you, and apparently a whole bunhc of budgie licking going on for you too!!

Take care
Steff

It is so good to see you posting. I am so glad to hear how well your doing. What ever you do, just take it at your own pace. When I went to physical therapy the first time a few days after back surgery I was overwhelmed by everything. There was too much to process. I couldn't move my leg and do the simplest exercise. I didn't know my leg would be paralyzed afterward. I hadn't had a chance to deal with that part when they felt it would be good to get the therapy started. I was in a hospital where there weren't a lot of people like myself. Mostly there were elderly patients. That didn't help either because I kinda identified with them. They were the only patients around. Once I healed a little bit and was handleing the pain, it was a little easier to handle the idea of therapy and regaining whatever use I could of my leg. After I went home I started with a therapist where there were people my age and we all shared our stories. I wasn't feeling so different. It helped me deal with everything. They also took my walker, so I had no choice but to rely on my body. It took several months before my leg started working and several more before I lost the drop foot. That is where your foot drops when you have paralisis and you have to practice walking a long time before it goes away. It bothered me to have to go up and down the road outside my house with that walker but I knew that was the only way I was going to get the use of my leg back. The nerve had been compressed so long that my hip didn't work right either. I would rock side to side as I had to lift the leg and foot and place it in front of me. Up the block and back every day and I hate exercise. My idea of exercise is doing dishes with a dishwasher, if you know what I mean. I can remember getting so frustrated when I couldn't bend to do the simplest task for myself. I pounded on the bed in anger. I have always been independent, and I wanted to do things for myself. I just had to come to terms with the fact that it was a slow process and I would have to take it one day at a time but it was hard. My therapist didn't baby me and I am glad. My husband helped and was by my side every step of the way just like Tom is for you. Even though I wanted to do for myself, I appreciated the help until I could. It was just hard to accept at times. I think the biggest thing that helped me was haveing all my new friends at therapy. People that were in the same boat as me. After about four months the drop foot was much improved and after about a year the use of my leg was probably back ninety eight percent. It is really hard to see how any of that stuff will help when you are going through the pain and nothing works like you want it to but every little milestone adds up. Strengthening the muscles in therapy did make a difference. It was one step forward and two steps backward for a long time. Just try to have faith in what they tell you. Connecting with others who are going through what you are going through makes a big difference too Nancy. Even if all you do is compare how hard it is to do stuff. It encouraged me because I didn't feel like I was the only one that was haveing problems with something like lifting a ten pound weight for instance.

Hope you all enjoyed the new update

Enjoyed I am elated! Nancy you will use that leg, just like that woman I know, and it will suck, but you can do it. I am certain if can't I don't know who can.
Whenever I feel whiny about being sick I shall read this post a realize how strong a person can be using you for my inspiration.

Rest and follow Dr. orders, and that is not Dr.Tom lol they actual human Dr. although I do think Dr. Tom will take very good care of you.

What an awesome lady you are Nancy...I can't imagine what you are going through. Sounds like Joandboys has got some helpful hints for you. My hubby got tearful when he heard of your accident. He is a very caring person like your Tom. So glad you have someone to lean on; literaly..:)
God bless and good speed on your recovery!
Is there anything you would like us to post or send you?
Hugs and Prayers Andrea and hubby and Captain Parakeet

oh nancy, it's so great to hear from you!!! it's nice to hear that you're doing better. I know you'll do just fine with that artificial leg, you're a tough woman. Just hang in there!

yes tom as much as i love you and kariva its much much better coming from nancy hahaha