Aaaaargh, broken back!

[jessmarimba]

I'm beginning to feel so spoiled. I have a Jewitt brace (?) but I have one specifically to shower in, so I can shower (mostly) like a normal person. Who just happens to be unable to reach her feet. I'm not sure how I'll be able to take care of my cats...their litter boxes are going to be awful to clean.

Broke my back going over the handlebars of my mountain bike. Best thing about it is that I don't have tv at home so I've watched the Tour constantly since I was admitted

I'm having a little scared moment bc they're telling me running & biking may be out for good bc of the location of the break. I hope hope hope they're wrong!

Thanks for everything! I will PM you later, need a nap now!

[solobiker]

I'm beginning to feel so spoiled. I have a Jewitt brace (?) but I have one specifically to shower in, so I can shower (mostly) like a normal person. Who just happens to be unable to reach her feet. I'm not sure how I'll be able to take care of my cats...their litter boxes are going to be awful to clean.

Broke my back going over the handlebars of my mountain bike. Best thing about it is that I don't have tv at home so I've watched the Tour constantly since I was admitted

I'm having a little scared moment bc they're telling me running & biking may be out for good bc of the location of the break. I hope hope hope they're wrong!

Thanks for everything! I will PM you later, need a nap now!

So soory to hear about your accident. I would have written sooner but I have not been on in a little while. Have you gotten yourself a long handled sponge yet or a detachable shower head? I am an OT and have worked with several people who have had back surgery or fxs and have had to wear various braces. Did you get yours from Hanger? How long do you have to wear it? One last question..where were you mountain biking. I mountain bike too so I am just curious as I live in the Denver area too.
I would not think running and mtn biking would be out for good...depending upon how stable it is.

Hope you are doing well.

[jessmarimba]

Hi!

Definitely got a sponge-on-a-stick...best invention ever.

Yep the braces are from Hanger. No idea how long I need to wear it - I have heard 6-8 weeks and 8-12 weeks...but there was also a ton of confusion initially over whether I needed one to shower and could put it on sitting up, so I've decided to believe no one about anything til I see the guy who did the surgery (next Friday). I do know I have 6 months til I can do anything but walk so I won't be surprised if they are conservative with the brace.

And I'm embarrassed to admit where it happened...I was at Elk Meadows Park, up in Evergreen, and we had just come out of the trees onto the grassy section again. Probably the least technical part of any ride I've done out here.

I'm also a little embarrassed to respond so quickly, but I'm beyond bored at this point from being stuck at home all week Can't wait to drive again!

[solobiker]

Hi!

Definitely got a sponge-on-a-stick...best invention ever.

Yep the braces are from Hanger. No idea how long I need to wear it - I have heard 6-8 weeks and 8-12 weeks...but there was also a ton of confusion initially over whether I needed one to shower and could put it on sitting up, so I've decided to believe no one about anything til I see the guy who did the surgery (next Friday). I do know I have 6 months til I can do anything but walk so I won't be surprised if they are conservative with the brace.

And I'm embarrassed to admit where it happened...I was at Elk Meadows Park, up in Evergreen, and we had just come out of the trees onto the grassy section again. Probably the least technical part of any ride I've done out here.

I'm also a little embarrassed to respond so quickly, but I'm beyond bored at this point from being stuck at home all week Can't wait to drive again!

Don't be embarrassed!!! I am just sorry it that happened. I was reading about someone being hospitalized because she injured her kidney when she fell at LOB. A fluke accident. I myself tumbled 20-30 feet down a "cliff" at Centential Cone when I unclipped going around a switch back and my foot landed on the outer edge of the switch back and I fell backwards tumbling wth my bike in tow.

I would err on the side of caution with the back brace and the donning and doffing reccommendations. Most of the time the docs prefer if the brace is put on while in bed prior to sitting up and to wear it while showering.

What part of Denver are you in? Feel free to send me a PM if you would like.

[tribogota]

sorry jess and clock,
@ j, if I lived near you I would come clean out the litter box for you. I just got off 1 month wheelchair and 2 1/2 mos crutches, hip fracture, collar, dvt, but doing ok now, and now that I couldn't do anything for so long, I don't mind cleaning out the cat box
Somebody lent me a kindle to read, since I couldn't hold the book with two hands, that helped a lot.

[shootingstar]

Wishing clock, jesse and tribogota real healing thoughts!

[ClockworkOrange]

sorry jess and clock,
@ j, if I lived near you I would come clean out the litter box for you. I just got off 1 month wheelchair and 2 1/2 mos crutches, hip fracture, collar, dvt, but doing ok now, and now that I couldn't do anything for so long, I don't mind cleaning out the cat box
Somebody lent me a kindle to read, since I couldn't hold the book with two hands, that helped a lot.

I am so sorry tribogota, I did not read your post properly.

How did you manage to injure yourself so badly, I tried going through old threads but could not find anything?

Good to hear you sound so positive and hopefully each day, you will get much stronger.

~~~~~~

I am now brace free but more tenderness, horrible nerve pain in my legs, I guess everything else muscles, tendons, ligaments have got to get their act together.

Physio, hydrotherapy and walking, am allowed to ride my bike in 6 weeks I hope.

Ten days and off to the Dordogne, fortunately by ferry but then a 6 hour drive, I think we will be making lots of stops.

Am hoping I will be able to get into our inflatable canoe without too much discomfort, at least if I fall out I can't hurt myself.

Slightly off topic but despite I was unable to ride in the London Bikeathon with my Team, Leukaemia Research will be over £8000 (including the gift aid) better off, now that pleases me a lot and we still have until 3 Sept to get more dosh in.

Thanks again for all the nice comments.

Clock

[Jane Honda]

OH dear!

I'm sorry to hear this, and can COMPLETELY empathize. I broke my back four and a half years ago in a horrific motorcycle accident. I spent 7 weeks in the hospital. My T9 was split into four pieces, and parts of T10 were broken off. I have six inches of titanium on each side of my spine.

The PT was agony, and I must admit I was a difficult patient. They gave me a walker to use, and I vehemently refused it. I argued that I wouldn't heal up my atrophied muscles if I never used them. They gave me grabbers so I wouldn't have to bend over, or struggle to put pants and socks on. I gave them the same argument. I did listen to what my Dr.'s had to say, as well as my PT's.

I stay active now, because if I quit moving, I will not move again. It's ironic, but very true. I live with chronic nerve pain, numbness and muscle spasms now, and will for the rest of my life, I have to take pain meds just to get out of bed; but, hey! I'm living my life. I'm training for the Seattle to Portland now for the next year. I don't let anything get in my way.

A broken back is really a pain the the neck, or rear, depending on if your glass is half empty or full. But, it's something you CAN recover from, and go on to live a healthy, active lifestyle. I never make excuses. I only have one life...

Best of luck, friend. It appears you have tons of support here.

[jessmarimba]

Jane - thank you for the encouragement. I've had no contact with the doctor but the therapists just kept using the phrase "frowned upon" when I mentioned anything athletic. Glad to hear you're up and going

Can I ask - I've had a good chunk of titanium screwed into my back too - did your incision bruise over as it was healing? From what I can see, my back looks horric right now, and it hurts, but I can't tell if it's the bruise or the screws bothering me...?

[Jane Honda]

Jane - thank you for the encouragement. I've had no contact with the doctor but the therapists just kept using the phrase "frowned upon" when I mentioned anything athletic. Glad to hear you're up and going

Can I ask - I've had a good chunk of titanium screwed into my back too - did your incision bruise over as it was healing? From what I can see, my back looks horric right now, and it hurts, but I can't tell if it's the bruise or the screws bothering me...?

Let them frown all they want. Just tell them their faces will stick that'a'ways. If you stay stagnant, your body will deteriorate. Just make sure you start back into work again slowly. Let your body tell you what it's capable of. Go from there. If you quit moving, you will really QUIT moving. I'm serious.

I don't remember what my back looked like. I was pretty doped up, as I had massive road rash injuries along with other broken bones to add to my back injury.

I do know, that if I move the wrong way against the steel, it will hurt like the frikken dikkens. I mean screaming meemee hurt! My skin around the incision is numb, but my pain receptors are hyper sensitive. I feel no pressure sensations, no cold or hot sensations, no touch. Just extreme pain if there is a tiny amount of pain. I do end up with bruising on my back if I do crunches, but maybe that area is just more predisposed to bruising. I have no idea. Bruises are badges to me. So are scars.

I would consult with your doc about the bruising part. Maybe you have a screw loose (er... Please don't take that wrong? ) You could need the hardware adjusted, or maybe you can have it taken out. I can opt to have mine taken out if I can cough up the $90,000 surgery, and the months of down time. NOT. So, it stays. I'm proud of it, actually. It means I survived something way bigger than me.