Jeannierides update

[mimitabby]

thanks for writing. I am glad you guys have a great supporting staff around you.
A man I knew suffered a devastating accident after he collided with a car. I visited him in the hospital where they were whispering things like you just described about Jeannie. I saw the leg with 34 pins in it, and the arm, and the other messed up leg as well. I couldn't imagine ever seeing that guy walk comfortably again, let alone ride.
This winter, about 2 1/2 years later, i saw him again. I am very attuned to people's gait and he walked in without a limp. his posture was erect, and he's riding. I imagine he'll never be the same again, he's got to have lots of scars and metal permanently implanted in his bones, but it doesn't stop him.

good luck. when there's life there's hope. Jeannie has impressed me with her positive attitude. I think you guys need a different doctor.

[Ninabike]

To Jeannie's SO, I can't believe a doctor could be so negative. Healing has as much to do with mental positiveness as anything else and it should start with encouragement from her treating physician!! Jeannie WILL recover; WILL ride that beautiful new bike and, who knows, may be even stronger and more resolute than before. Not only that, she will be an example to others. BTW, thank Jeannie for her card.

[IFjane]

Oh my god John - I cannot believe what I just read! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes in amazement that a doctor could tell you both those horrid things, as if to shred any hope you had. I agree with mimi - you need to look for another doctor!

I will be in touch soon. We love you Jeannie!!!

[Kitsune06]

Jeannie and John, people are capable of amazing things through will and determination. In the end, I think those two, combined with faith (in yourself, in God, wherever it needs to be placed) are the most defining factors in anyone's future, much less recovery from an injury like that. To have a doctor say that is a terrible thing- what could more drastically damage one's faith in their ability to recover? What could be more self-defeating than to believe it? Let it steel your resolve.
Bear in mind- things may never 'be the same'... but what some would view as a 'tragedy' could in a matter of a year or two or three or more become simply another thing to overcome- a quirk that needs to be minded but not fretted over, a reminder of what you've been through and your own internal strength to persevere.
All of life is a matter of perspective, there will be ups and downs, but don't become too discouraged. There is always hope in another day.
I want to offer you both warm hugs and my best wishes for a swift recovery.

[KayTee]

This dr. is a surgeon, right? They are good at what they do, but (despite what some of them think) they are not experts on rehabilitation. Jeannie is an amazingly strong woman, and so is her wonderful spirit. I have every confidence that Jeannie, with the support of her rehab therapy team, her wonderful SO and family, and all her friends, will prove this jerk's "prediction" wrong. Heck, she's already gotten a start on it!

[Velobambina]

With all that love and support around her, Jeannie will be just fine. Please let her know that I'm thinking of and praying for her.

[bmccasland]

Obviously this surgeon isn't known for his positive bed-side manner. There's being realistic, and maybe to him that's what he was doing. But still there ought to be encouragement for getting better. Thank goodness for a terrific PT staff and Dr. Q. I've heard of sticking pins in Voodoo dolls, but how do you give a man a heart?

Big hugs and encouragement to Jeannie and John for her continued recovery!

[Jo-n-NY]

Everyone here gave such wonderful words of encouragement. Consider them repeated in my message here along with, to just hang on and keep in your head the enthusiasm of the pt staff and through out what the orthopedic said. Please just keep the postive, upbeat attitude!!!

~ JoAnn

[wannaduacentury]

This dr. is a surgeon, right? They are good at what they do, but (despite what some of them think) they are not experts on rehabilitation. Jeannie is an amazingly strong woman, and so is her wonderful spirit. I have every confidence that Jeannie, with the support of her rehab therapy team, her wonderful SO and family, and all her friends, will prove this jerk's "prediction" wrong. Heck, she's already gotten a start on it!

Yes and when Jeannie rides her bike again in her first event. Invite that surgeon to come watch her cross the finish line. Keep going Jeannie, we're rooting for you. Keep the faith. Jennifer

[KayTee]

Jeannie is an inspiration. Her determination, courage and grace throughout her recovery so far and this latest challenge have both awed and moved me. I have no doubt that she will soon be able to ride her gorgeous new bike and do anything else she wants to do. And we'll get pictures to document it!!

As an aside, I've been wondering if that comment her surgeon made might have been deliberately issued as a challenge to make her angry and show just what she can do to disprove his prediction. Margo49 and some others seem to have encountered this, too -- whether it's pure ego and rudeness, deliberately done to evoke response, or a little of both, I don't know. I told Jeannie about a now retired colleague of mine who was paralysed when the elevator she was in fell 4 1/2 floors, informed repeatedly by her drs. that she'd never walk again, yet several years later was not only walking and hiking but had changed the focus of her research to gait analysis and rehab after traumatic injury. Do any of you think this Dr. Egomaniac might have had a plan, or is that just too unbelievable?

[Mr. Bloom]

when Jeannie rides her bike again in her first event. Invite that surgeon to come watch her cross the finish line.

Silver had a top orthopedic surgeon tell her nothing was wrong with her foot.

Silver doubted herself for feeling pain.

6 months later, a podiatrist found the bone sliver on an x-ray that he took the time to do himself!

6 months later, Silver had the sliver removed to a full recovery. I told her to sent the first guy the bone chip...

A special humorous footnote:
The podiatrist's name was Dr. Love. How would you like to answer the phone to hear "This is Dr. Love, calling for Elaine. Is she available?"

So, I hollar downstairs to Silver "There's a Dr. Love on the phone for you!"

SilverSon, who is about 11 at the time, starts laughing and says "Huuhhhh?!?!"