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Dennis S

Dennis S

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,595
Location
Northern New Mexico
Ann was kind enough to ask about my progress in trying to get back the proper use of my right leg. My board certified orthopedic rehab guy does not think I have what is commonly known as ?post polio? syndrome. I stress his credentials because I hang on every word where this subject is concerned. Post polio syndrome could put me into a wheelchair for life.

I was paralyzed by polio for a significant time as a six year old. After a lot of rehab as a child, I made miraculous progress, and for most of my life I enjoyed the pursuit of pretty serious athletic activities. However, muscles and nerves that I learned how to use for a normal life remained badly damaged by the polio.

There is a long explanation for how it may have come to the surface, but I now have certain muscles that no longer want to stretch in normal ways. I am getting a lot of help from my therapy. For a while it was excruciating to get into or out of a car. Now it is a little painful, but much easier than it was. For a few miles I am able to drive a car. I seem to get a little better each week, but I have a long way to go. This has been a big time scare for me, but seeing progress-even slow progress-brings me down from the ceiling. Like all of the rest of us, I greatly appreciate the prayers and concern of my on-line friends.
 
Dennis

I had no idea that this was going on in the background. I know that you had mentioned it as a possibility, but thought your recent accident was the problem. To hear someone actually say it must be a real blow.

It is encouraging to hear that there is a little improvement, however slow.

I will keep you in my prayers.
 
So glad you are making progress, Dennis. You remain in my prayers for continued progress and a complete recovery.
 
Dennis,
I'm glad to read that you're taking Nancy's advice to "Never Give Up" to heart. The therapy must be painful and tiring, but it appears to be working.:)
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.
 
Dennis,

You have been on a long and tough road that, luckily, led you to your beautiful haven in New Mexico. I hope your surroundings help with your recovery and give you peace for dealing with the harder challenges.

Your desert friend as always.........
 
thanks, Dennis, for the update. I kinda wondered if the accident was taking this long to get better - and I paid close attention to your polio mention because I have a nephew who had polio at 5 mos of age. He was left with unusable muscles in his right arm which also affected his hand, but he went on to become an accomplished piano player and is a professor of music. Nothing has ever changed with him and I never heard of polio coming back in the form you speak of - in later life.

therapy after polio is a big job and needs to be constant. I am hoping that you will overcome whatever has occurred with your muscles and that you will be out doing all that you have always done.

Glad you are keeping at it and keeping us supplied with beauty. Thanks.
 
skeptic49 said:
I was not aware of "post polio syndrome" Dennis. I hope you can continue to make progress and restore flexability to the muscles that were damaged by your polio.

JIm
Click to expand...

Please indulge me in a personal rant. To the shock of it?s victims, as well as the medical community, polio can return. About fifty years ago, when I had regained the ability to walk, and then run, it was hiding somewhere in my body. Twenty years ago when I was fit enough to portage an 18 foot canoe and carry a double pack in the boundary waters of Minnesota it was, somehow, along for the trip between two beautiful lakes on a bracing Minnesota morning. Polio can be like a bad movie where the villain who was dead and buried springs upon you from ambush fifty five years later. I hate polio and what it has done to me.

But, I don?t seem to have the virulent type of post polio syndrome that has effected many others, and I am unbelievably grateful for that. Nancy, I am on board-as far as polio is concerned, I am going to fight it again, and if necessary I intend to fight just as hard as I did fifty-five years ago. But I don?t want to be overly dramatic. My therapist thinks he can bring back to where I was before this hit me, and says with the improvements they have made in therapy, he might get me closer to ?normal? than I have been since I was six years old. I love his attitude and optimism.
 
Sounds like you have a great therapist who is really in your corner. I don't think he would have said what he said if he didn't believe it. Looks like the future may be a little brighter.

I am old enough to remember the polio scares before the vaccine.

When I was little, I got something, still do not know what it was, but they thought it was polio, and I was in the hospital for several weeks. It turned out not to be polio. But everyone was pretty scared about it.

As a teen, I did some volunteer work in the rehab hospital here which was full of young people my age in iron lungs and wheelchairs due to polio. It was tragic. They were so brave.

Our local hospital had a wonderful receptionist who was stricken with a bad case of polio as a child, had braces on her legs for a very long time, and then was confined to a wheelchair. She was such a beautiful woman, and married one of the great sports coaches here. They had a good life. After he passed away, she managed to hold down the receptionist's job in her wheelchair, and rarely missed a day. She was the most lovely and cheerful woman. I saw her a lot because Joe was in the hospital so much. She passed on recently. I'll always remember Judy. Great lady!

There is a memorial to her on YouTube if you would like to see it, this is part 1, there is also Part 2 and 3. They are long, but it did bring a tear to my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UnzdWJe-_Y&feature=related
 
So sorry to hear of your troubles Dennis & I do hope that you recuperate fully soon! I will keep you in my prayers. In the meantime, keep snapping away at our beautiful New Mexican scenary! :)
 
Dennis, I had a couple of friends that had polio when I was younger. A rough road indeed. It does sound like you have a great therapist, and I am going to be projecting your "better than before" recovery! Your valve bro, Brian
 
I too wish you "better than before" recovery for you Dennis.
You know what they say.....'you can''t keep a good man down'
Prayers going your way my friend

P.S.
Maybe my timing was just about perfect to brighten up your day eh?
 
we are all cheering you on, Dennis.

I believe anyone touched by polio in any way can have the same rant that you do. It is amazing what people who were struck by this dreaded disease have been able to do with their lives. You are one of those examples. I am so sorry that it has come back to haunt you. You have your life as a retired person so well laid out and full of enjoyment. Believe that it will come back. We know you are determined.
 
To everyone:

To everyone:

I have had a great couple of days. Therapy on Thursday seemed brutal as usual, but it didn't knock me down for a couple of days as it has in the past. And, Friday night I could definitely see greater range of motion. (Only a few inches, but enough to be very encouraged.) I value your prayers and encouragement-I firmly believe they make a difference.
 
Freddie said:
I too wish you "better than before" recovery for you Dennis.
You know what they say.....'you can''t keep a good man down'
Prayers going your way my friend

P.S.
Maybe my timing was just about perfect to brighten up your day eh?
Click to expand...

Your timing was, indeed, perfect. We will be heading out for a "pig roast" (first time for me) and will be outside most of the day. You can guess what I will be wearing.
 
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