New Jersey TM Support Group

[George]

Hi. My name is George and I joined your group today. In August of 2003
I started feeling sensitivity in my midsection. Then my legs started
to feel weak and by the end of September I had myself admitted to the
hospital because of difficulty walking and bowel problems. Long story
short I ended up paralyzed from T-7/T-8 (chest) down. My spinal cord
appeared swollen in the MRIs and my neurosurgeon performed a
laminectomy(sp?) to take a biopsy to rule out cancer(nobody had
mentioned TM at this point). Fortunately I didn't have cancer but the
doctors had no idea what I had. Unfortunately I had complications(due
to negligence) which resulted in spinal cord compression.

It wasn't until February of 2005 when I visited Dr. Douglas Kerr at
the Johns Hopkins TM Center when he confirmed that I had what he
considered a "gold standard" TM case. Bottom line is I am paralyzed
chest down and in a chair. I also have quite a bit of chronic pain and
am permanently disabled.

That's enough about me. The reason for this post is that I have
started a TM support group for anyone who lives in the NYC metro area.
I live about 12 miles west of the city in New Jersey. For more details
check out: http://transmyelitis.meetup.com/92/ Thanks for letting me
ramble. George

[vickie]

George-it was good to hear from someone that has the same problem. I live
in North Carolina and would not be a good member for your group.
I, too, got sick in 2003 with TM from my first pain in my mid-section I was
paralized from the waist down within 30 minutes.
My doctors had never seen TM before but thru prayers and hard work today I
can walk
and drive. I still have paralysis and other problems but we are working on
those too.
Take care, keep the faith, let me know how you are doing.
Vickie

[Peter...@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/6/2007 9:25:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, george...@gmail.com writes:

The reason for this post is that I have
started a TM support group for anyone who lives in the NYC metro area.
I live about 12 miles west of the city in New Jersey. For more details
check out:  http://transmyelitis.meetup.com/92/  Thanks for letting me
ramble.  George

Hi George.  Well, at least you're "gold standard." 

 

What a story!  It is generous of you to offer to start a TM group in the NY Metro area.  I subscribed to the TM group back in October, when I first got out of the hospital, but had no "bites" until your note.

 

I am a bit embarrassed to say I got off very easy, especially compared with your story.  I lost the use of my arms and hands very suddenly one morning in September and that started an odyssey that continues to this day.  The doc labeled it Acute TM after ruling out a bunch of other things.

 

One arm and one hand is "good."  One arm and one hand is "bad."  The good and bad parts are not hooked to the same side.  Relative to your story and the others I read on the web site, my issues are minor ... but real for me.

 

I wanted to hear from others who have TM to compare notes.  And to bitch a bit about the cards that were dealt me/us.  I get depressed when I can't do stuff and I hate being dependent on others, say driving.  Right now, I think I'd be a menace on the road, so I have to get others to take me to rehab.  I have a generous wife and sons and friends to cart me around and to help get my clothes on.  I am very lucky in that respect as well.  Still, loss of independence wears heavy.

 

I'd welcome hearing from you, George, and any others who get this note.

 

Peter J. Gallagher
Ossining, NY (Outside the walls of Sing Sing)
Email Peter...@aol.com

---

See what's free at AOL.com.