Sunday, March 23, 2008

Back to Rehab! Good News

Well its Sunday evening and I just spent my first few days back in Rehab! It was good coming back and seeing so many familiar faces! I have come along way since my first visit since I can now use my left arm. I remember my first visit here it hurt to move my arm a few inches now I am pushing a manual chair without any problems. My arm is still a little soar but I should be able to be OK during this round of rehab.
On another note I have what I BELIEVE to be PROMISING NEWS! This news is nothing to jump up in the air about but I am encouraged by what I heard.

My prognosis in medical terms is a T-10 ASIA-A spinal cord injury. Let me give everyone a little lesson on what that means. Bare with me because this is actually good news! The T-10 is the LEVEL of injury which means that may T-10 vertebra was the last level which I have feeling. The ASIA scale is tells the motor and sensory function that is available. ASIA-A is a complete injury and the worse meaning NO motor or sensory. ASIA-E is normal with both motor and sensory functions. There is also ASIA-B, ASIA-C and ASIA -D. WELL........ on Saturday I was down in therapy when my PT asked me......."what level of injury were you again?" I replied "T-10 ASIA-A". My therapist said that in the charts I was listed as a T-11 ASIA-B which is an INCOMPLETE INJURY. I was SHOCKED!! Well the lead Dr. decided to weigh on the safe side and kept the ASIA-A rating BUT one Dr. DID think I was a possible ASIA-B. I have become a T-11 level injury which means I have full feeling and movement at the lower vertebra now. However, I am still listed as an ASIA-A complete injury!

I am encouraged by this news. I am sorry for the boring medical jargon but it would be hard to explain this news without everyone understanding my level of injury. I am getting A LOT of feeling back in my legs! I can not believe it! The other night when my mom was putting lotion on my feet I could vaguely FEEL which foot she was touching. My feet always feel constricted and I feel them pulsing. Some of that is normal but my Dr. told me that I should be encouraged that my spine was not completely severed. I FIRMLY believe that I will be considered an INCOMPLETE INJURY! In order for me to be healed I need prayers from EVERYONE. Not only can I NOT do this alone but I need the prayers from everyone so that the Lord will hear me calling out and work a miracle through me. I have already seen so many miracles since my accident. The fact that I am even ALIVE is a miracle itself. Next on my list of things to do is work as HARD as I can in rehab and pray to God for healing in my legs.

I would like to thank EVERYONE who continues to pray for me and check my blog for updates. If I could I would individually thank everyone for there support and encouragement. I will make it through and I know that God will never leave me through this ordeal. Please continue to remember me and bring me before God.

I LOVE YOU ALL,
IN HIM,
BRENT

10 comments:

Matt said...

News like this is what keeps you encouraged and moving forward. Keep focusing on what you can do and praying that God restores what you can't. Thanks for the wonderful update.

Matt

Anonymous said...

Brent,
You don't know me, but I'm getting to know you quite well. I always look forward to reading your blog. Thanks for always sharing your faith with us. God is so good. HE is definitely working wonders through you in many ways. I am always encouraged by your faith.
In God's love,
Sissy McWhirt (CH&BS--Mt. Dora,FL)

Unknown said...

WOW! This is great news! We are so excited! We will be lifting you up more and more for complete healing! Keep up the hard work and blow those doctors away!

Love,
Robin, Kathy and Christopher

Jenny said...

Brent,

I'm another one of those you don't me, but your friend AnnaLee, is my cousin's sister-in-law. Sounds confusing, anyway...she gave me your info, and your blog address. I'm 25 years old and I am a recovered C-6 C-7 SCI, I was labeled Asia A Complete, and today you could never tell. I was in a four wheeling accident when I was 17, 2 weeks before my senior year of high school.
Now I'll make my story a little bit more intresting for you. It took a LONG time, but I did recover through the grace of God, graduated high school, went to college, got married, had a baby, and then got the worst call of my life...my husband fell 30' and broke his neck C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, and C-6. He has a SCI at the C-5, C-6 level. I know just about all there is to know about SCI, from the one suffering to the caregiver side of things.

Anyway, my husband had many more complications than I did and we had to do something different, I don't settle for just anything. He needed a program to overcome his disablility, so we made it happen. We have a facility in San Antonio, TX called Pressing On- A Spinal Cord Injury Research & Recovery Program. We pretty much take rehab to the next level, rehab on steroids is what one client referred to us as.

I want to give you a link to our website, be sure and check out our videos. More importantly I want to be here for you to talk to. If our facility would be a good place for you to come, I would love to get you in, if not, I'm still going to be here to help you get through your injury. I have lived it as the patient and now I am living it on theoutside looking in. It is possible to recover and it is very possible to "complete" injuries to turn "incomplete". God Bless you Always!

In Strength & Hope,
Jennifer Thomas
Director/Founder
Pressing On- A Spinal Cord Injury Research & Recovery Center

(210) 877-2228
jennyt@pressingontx.com
www.pressingontx.com

Dave Reed said...

Brent,

Wow! Wow! Wow! God is great! Keep up the positive attitude it reflects a true faith in God. He tells us in His word that we can do ALL things through Christ. I know in your prayers you have asked for a sign, and God has provided it for you as a reward of your positive faith. If a may paraphrase Mal 3:10 God says give me what is mine and I will pour my blessings upon you. All God really asks for is our love and respect. Keep loving and trusting in Him and he will reward you with a spirit that will fill you with joy and good health. We are very proud of your faith, and God’s love that he pouring upon you. Brent, God loves you and He thinks you are special. Keep that positive attitude working and God will continue to amaze you and have a tremendous impact on all of us reading the Blog and praying on your behalf. We love you and we are extremely happy for you.

Dave & Jeannie Reed

Unknown said...

Hey Brent!
This is wonderful news you are sharing with us! You and your family are continually in our prayers. Recently, I was visiting a friend who is adapting to her own physical limitations. She is an amazing woman of God who inspires me and others. In her kitchen on a big piece of paper in big, black letters she has written, your name and to ask God for a miracle. Daily she and others are bringing you before the Lord.
You give me such hope and encouragement through your writings on this blog. Thank you for sharing with us all who love you and have watched you grow up.
May God continue to heal you completely and may you continue to be a living testimony for Him.
Love and prayers,
sharon josey

Anonymous said...

Hi Brent,
Praise God for your progress!We are uplifted everytime we read your update. You have faith to move mountains. God has great plans for you and you are allowing Him to work thru you. Keep up the positive attitude.
Love & Prayers
Mike & Karen Cockrell

Paige said...

this is awesome news brent!! I am so excited for you! you better not be slacking off on when I come back to work on friday. I'll be watching you! ha

You are always in my prayers.

Paige

Anonymous said...

Hey Brent,
I am SO indescribably excited for you! Yes, God IS awesome, and no matter what happens (as you stated) you have so much to be thankful for. Your story has already been a miracle and is so inspiring, and I want to commend you for keeping your faith in God through all of this and giving Him the credit He deserves. May He continue to bless you,
Amanda Heep

sensdelune said...

Brent it was great to see you today and your mom, I am really excited to hear about the feelings you are having in your legs! I believe God is using you as a instrument to bring others closer to Him. I know my own faith has been greatly strengthed by yours.

Love and prayers,

Kimberly