Jeannierides update

[jeannierides]

Ladies

This post is from Jeannie’s SO, John. I want to update everyone on Jeannie’s progress. First I would like to thank everyone for the cards, gifts, calls, and or, for reaching out in spirit to support Jeannie. This has been a very difficult time!! I cannot begin to tell everyone how much this show of support has helped. In light of yesterdays doctor visit, I encourage everyone to continue with the positive energy.

Jeannie had her follow up appointment with the orthopedist yesterday. The experience was considerably more difficult than we imagined. The doctor indicated that he could see improvement, but set out to defeat every sense of hope that Jeannie and I could muster. He went through a long dissertation about how she would never be the same. The doctor told Jeannie that she should make plans to reinvent her entire life, leaving no stone unturned. He suggested she will “never” return to her previous activities. He stated directly that our optimism about the future was unrealistic. It went on and on, heartbreaking word after heartbreaking word. Needless to say, Jeannie was in shock. The bottom line according to him was to expect the worst. Obscured by the negative were two positives. Jeannie was cleared to begin limited weight bearing therapy and in a passing remark the Doctor acknowledged that stationary cycling could be a beneficial therapy.

Fast forward back to the extended care facility, Jeannie’s PT team came to visit and the proverbial sh*t hit the fan. As a team, they rallied around Jeannie and dismissed every claim asserted by Dr Negative. The staff Orthopedist, DR Q, came by and was astounded by this unrealistic prognosis. He told Jeannie to consider that no Doctor is God. The Doctors negative estimates are just that, estimates. He commended Jeannie for her fighting spirit and notable progress. He encouraged her about future prospects and dismissed the negatives as just speculation.

This whole ordeal was then put to bed in spectacular fashion. The PT Staff gathered around and encouraged Jeannie to stand for the first time since Feb 23. She stood up and sat back down with minimal physical assistance. With the enthusiasm and support generated by the group, Jeannie stood up a second time and was able to move her feet. Walking will be next !!!

[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

[sbctwin]

Jeannie and John, hang in there. We are all pulling for you on this end and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[IFjane]

Hi all - I have an update-to-the-update! I talked to Jeannie this afternoon and she is one amazing woman. She has used all the negativity to make positive energy and she is forging ahead with her rehabilitation. Today she walked, with the aid of a walker, across the gym AND 75 feet down the hall!!!

Everyone, please join me in a huge cheer for Jeannie!!! I only wish I could be half as strong as she is.

[SouthernBelle]

Give 'em hell, Jeannie!!!

[LBTC]

Wow! I've got tears rolling down my cheeks right now, telling DH about this and being amazed at Jeannie! That took courage, strength, faith, love, butterflies(?), and all of the positive energy anyone could have!

I can not excuse that miserable specialists behaviour, but I have to note that it really does take negative for us to focus so strongly on the positive. Jeannie's reaction, and all of the fabulous PT staff, was so full of energy and positivity as to be unstoppable!

Down the hall! Yahoooooo!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Mr. Bloom]

I encourage you to respect the challenges that face you, but don't fear them.

While you can't ignore what the doctor fears, only you can define your limits.

[margo49]

Yeah, I had something like this happen to me.
The Orthopedic Surgeon delivered me a similar speech - casually, over his shoulder, half inside and half outside the curtain around my bed in the ER.
I was furious! There were a few people there incl SO and a friend who is a very senior nurse at the hospital. In this really deep, projected tone of voice (which you get when you are real determined) I said. "Wait a minute! You don't know me. I'll show you, I'll show you, I'll show you" And my nurse friend said to this guy, "She is something special . Watch out"
And show him I did.
Go for it Jeannie! They don't predict the future!

Btw, I heard a few months later he was using me as an example of patient motivation in his rounds. A couple of years later I had to see him about complications with the metallica and he invited *all* the ER doctors on duty to see the old x-rays and the "outcome" (i.e. me!)