Life After a Jefferson Fracture: Something to shout about!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Something to shout about!

Well, I'm just plumb excited!

With the autonomic dysreflexia, I can't let myself jump up and down and say YIPPEE, but that's what I feel like doing, so you can just imagine it.

My work comp has authorized me to get a power mobility scooter. The ones I've seen have been less of what I'd think I'd want or need, but I figured those were my options. But the wonderful fellow who runs the scooter store showed me a link to one called a "Wrangler."

Now, with a lifetime of wranglin' horses and cows and dudes, doesn't that sound like a rig that is meant for me to ride? You can see the photo I'm posting of it, above.

It's got 13" pneumatic tires and high clearance and rugged terrain tread.

It's got a high seat back with a head rest, which I simply have to have.

It'll go 10 mph, tho I doubt I'd do that. I used to be a risk-taker, but no more!

The batteries have a range of up to 20 miles!!

I can just see me tooling along somewhere in the beautiful woods, down an old logging road,

leading my dog alongside. I am starting to cry just thinking of the chance to be out in the woods again, on a quiet electric scooter!

tee hee! I even asked for "Viper Blue!" I guess I'll have to get a helmet for riding it...

yahoo!

4 comments:

Cassandra said...: I'm so happy for you Virginia!! I look forward to your beautiful posts about the new places you discover!!; July 20, 2010 at 7:12 AM
kiminfla said...: V, What a blessing! I'm so happy to read some good news! I think of you often -- you and dh are in my prayers! Be blessed my friend, Kim (kiminfla); July 22, 2010 at 2:37 PM
zoe said...: ~♥ Hi V ♥~

I just want to cry every time I come to your site- listening to the first song you have playing...I wish I could share some of my present wellness with you V! But I'm so thankful with you for the much needed scooter.

It really will lift your heart to get out a bit more- I know- cuz I'm built the same way* OH! To be in God's great creation!!

I pray much renewal and hope, vision, insight and revelation to be yours my friend. And may the Lord look kindly on you and give you relief as well for all that you suffer under.

With big hugs,
Zoe; July 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM
Anonymous said...: If only I had the guts to use that in church. I'd never skip a Sunday.

Lisa in Alaska; August 22, 2010 at 7:36 PM

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My Diagnoses

4 place Jefferson Fracture (C1) due to trauma in 2004
Atlanto occipital Dislocation (same trauma in 2004)
Tethered Spinal Cord (detethered in Nov. 2007)
Severe Functional Cranial Settling
Craniocervical Instability (CCI) due to first two in list
I have an acquired "Chiari" of 5.7 mm due to the previously Tethered Cord, but I do not have Arnold Chiari Malformation.
Arachnoiditis
Osteoporosis recently downgraded to Osteopenia
Mild Mitral Valve Prolapse and MV Stenosis
Monoclonal Gammopathy ( a precondition to multiple Myeloma, 25% of those with MG evolve into MM. I'm counting on being one of the 75%)

MY C1, 3 years post-injury

This shows my own C1. This is 3 years after my injury, imaging taken in Jan. 2007. The roundish element in upper center is a cross section of the odontoid, part of the C2. Running within the dark center shown here is the spinal cord. To the left of the odontoid, you can see a gap between the bone ends. This should be a completely connected piece of bone. To the right of the odontoid, you can see where that fracture was, and how it has somewhat fused and filled in with bone. The two fractures in the bottom part of the ring cannot be seen from this view. Also, this view is from the bottom, so the large gap/break in the C1 seen here is actually on the right posterior side of my spine. Also, keep in mind that this photo is not life-sized. Bringing this up to life-size will enlarge the gap between the bone ends. Something else to learn about this sort of injury is the job that our ligaments do. There are two kinds of Jefferson Fractures, stable and unstable. With a stable JF, the ligaments are not ruptured, and they quickly pull the bones right back into place, where they will heal on their own as long as the neck is stabilized. In an unstable JF, the ligaments are ruptured from being ripped apart, and do not have what it takes to pull the bones back together. Obviously, and according to my present neurosurgeon, my ligaments were "ripped, broken, ruptured." Of note, the important "Transverse Ligament" runs between that narrow area between the odontoid and the posterior bone of the C1.

Tips for the neurologically challenged!

Best thing I've bought lately? A dustpan with a long handle so that I don't have to lean down with the dustpan after sweeping! Really worth every penny of the $1.19 I spent at the dollar store!
Nausea! A lot of folks with brainstem compression and neurological issues suffer from it frequently. A couple of things have helped me: one is Ginger. I get powdered Ginger and then stir it into ice water with some Splenda, add a straw and it's a delicious summer drink that does a remarkable job in relieving nausea for me. I also use peppermint tea. This is really good, especially right before bedtime, for settling the stomach! **Another tip for nausea: chew gum! Try it, it does work sometimes.
For those with suboccipital pain (and you know who you are!), I think I've found a great pillow to rest my head against in a chair or in the truck. It's an inflatable pillow made for the bathtub, it's shaped like a shell, has four sections to it, and is relatively flat. Softly cushions the back of my head and only cost $3.50!
For neuropathic itch/burning and lancinating pains, apply ice! They say the brain can't process two sensations at the same time in the same area. Ice overrides the itch and pain. Give it a try! Gel paks are great, but I also use frozen bottles of water, and I roll it around my deltoids where needed.
If you wear a neck brace, for pain in the suboccipital area, place a frozen ice gel pak under the neck brace. I use an Aspen collar and this works great!
Buy milk in a gallon, but then halve it by pouring into two containers to store in the fridge. This makes it lighter each time you make a latte or eat a bowl of cereal!

Life After a Jefferson Fracture

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Something to shout about!

4 comments:

Appliances for the Cspine-challenged!

Sketch of a Jefferson Fracture

Example of a 3 place Jefferson Fracture

MY C1, 3 years post-injury

3D CT

Favorite Links

Zipperhead"s Fusion

Tips for the neurologically challenged!