X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 06:00:10 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3019

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3019

                          Sunday, November 15, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                    Sugar
                                    Hello
                              Re: Your friend.
                             Re: Weather Teller
                          New Amputee - Intro letr
                           Weather with the stump
                         Re: NTASG?  No one knows...
                        Re: New Amputee - Intro letr
                          Phantoms in the NY Times
                          New Amputee - Intro letr


                                ******


To subscribe to the Handicap Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


UUCP:       uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-337-1607
            (300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours)
Compuserve: 73170,1064

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



------



Subject: Sugar
From: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Wick)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/45 - The French Connecti, Edmonds Wa


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

DJ>Does anyone here have any insight on using sugar on pressure sores?  I
DJ>am facing surgery which I REALLY don't want to have.  It would
DJ>make my life much less stressful if I could heal without an
DJ>operation.  Thanx.

I never heard of that. It doesn't sound good to me. Any time you
put something on a open sore you may have a problom. Ask your Doc.
I only had 1 and they had me stay off it and keep it very dry. We
even put a sun lamp on it... Well aimed a sun lamp at it. Not to
close, you don't want it to get hot, just dry.

===
 * SLMR 2.1 * "OUCH" I just my floppy caught in my unzipper!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!45!Greg.Wick
Internet: Greg.Wick@f45.n343.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Hello
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 > However, Linda Cummings and I happen to know of another
 > secret that your Neurosurgeon has neglected to tell you.

Very good explanation to Richard, Allison!

 > I just got authorization to go have a different set of electrodes
 > (each has 8 contacts) implanted (probably attached to bone this time)

Which bone?  I wonder if the amount of scar tissue that I have is
preventing the stimulation from working as much as we had hoped.
I'm going to have to ask my neurosurgeon about the 8 contact SCS.

Linda

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!375!34!Linda.Cummings
Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Your friend.
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to John Hargrove <11-02-92 21:46> Shari Messner wrote:

SM> JH>Got a new weather teller.  So far it has not let me down.
SM>
SM> Ok smart alec, start telling the weather and we will give you scores
SM> for
SM> correctness.  How about that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You might do better than
SM> the paid jerks-whoops I mean forcasters.
SM>
SM> Hear ye, Hear ye, John is our new Forcaster!!!!  (grinning)

Well to tell the truth I have not gotten down to what te weather
will actual do.  All I can tell at this point is when it is on the
move.  Like now. We have a cold front that just hit Austin
yesterday.  I felt it 3 days ago.  My stump fells fine now.  But I
see another one moving of the west coast now. I should start to
feel it in a day or two.  Now if I could tell what it would bring
with it I could dress for the weather.  That's when I'll go apply
for a forcasters job and when they ask me how I know I'll just pull
stumpy out and show 'em.

John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!68!John.Hargrove
Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Weather Teller
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to John Hargrove <11-03-92 17:44> Jim Jones wrote:

JJ> John, I know what you mean. We have a member of our amputee support
JJ> group who relates phantom pain to changes in barometric pressure and
JJ> temperture. At first I really did not feel that his theory had much
JJ> value, but I have changed my mind. Today we have had a cold front
JJ> come
JJ> through and my phantom pain has bothered me.

I know what you mean.  My right leg has always been sensitive to weather
 changes.  Only thing different with it now is the part that really hurt is
 gone.  It's like the docs put in a more sensitive pressure gauge now.  I fell
 the darn things coming at least 3 days off.  I'll start feeling this new one
 coming off the west coast in another day or so.

JJ> Also, don't be too tough on Gov. Ann. She is doing the best she can.
JJ> I noticed that she is calling the legislature into session to solve
JJ> the school finance problems. I wonder how much that will cost us.

Oh I know but it's just being down here in government city you hear all the
 nasties before it gets out.  You should see what their planning for us for a
 new school rezone plan.  This was all done behind closed doors.

John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!68!John.Hargrove
Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: New Amputee - Intro letr
From: Bill.Scrivner@f202.n285.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Scrivner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:285/202 - Aardvark Cafe, Lincoln NE


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hello to ANY and EVERY one!

     This is sort of an introductory note and I hope it generates at
least some response - I feel pretty trapped at the moment and this
is my way out.
     Thanks to a chat with AARDVARK CAFE sysop Kathy Porterfield the
other day I now am aware of the Amputee Support echo. She also
directed me to SLMR and a little bit about how to use it - GREAT STUFF!
I still have a long way to go though!
     I was involved in a motorcycle accident on October 18, 1992 and
as a result had to have a below knee (about six inches) amputation of my
right leg and a rod inserted in the femur. The accident happened on my
way home to Lincoln, Nebraska from a visit with my brother over in Des
Moines, Iowa. I was air-lifted back to Des Moines Mercy Medical Center
and was there for fifteen days and finally got to come home on monday,
November 2 (No, I didn't go vote on tuesday). Since being home I've been
to see an Ortho man here and he sent me to another Dr at Madonna
Rehabilitation Hospital here in town. Went to see him yesterday and he
had people show me how to wrap the stump so it will get into the shape
they want for fitting a prosthesis (sp??). It sounds like they may be
planning to have me up on a new foot pretty soon - like maybe a week or
two if the swelling can be kept under control. The Doctors in Des Moines
had led me to believe it would be at least a couple of months before
there would be any chance of a new foot. Like maybe as a Christmas Gift
(that's one that not everybody I know will be getting!). I was rather
shocked when the lady who was teaching me how to wrap mentioned that I
would probably want to buy a wheelchair. Is that really necessary? I
don't mind the cost but the thought of being in a chair sort of bothers
me. I used to have a brother-in-law who was parilyzed from the rib cage
down and he was in a chair so I have some idea of how awkward they can
be.
        Anyway, it sounds to me as if my problems are pretty minor
compared to lots of others out there. I really enjoyed reading
all the messages and especially some of the -cutsie- things that have
happened to others. Maybe it will help me to feel a little less
intimidated when I'm back into the real world again.
        My work as a "Computer Specialist" with USDA-NASS is at least
not hurting at this point - well not TOO bad. Just before the
accident we ordered a new modem to replace the one that had died for me
at home in an electrical storm a few weeks back. It came in while I was
in the hospital so my daughter took me in to the office one day this
week to bring it home to be used for the old telecommuting trick. Works
fairly well but it's not the same as being there. She and her fiancee
brought my system upstairs one evening so now I don't even have to
manipulate the 13 steps to reach my system - I love it!
        By the way,I am 44 years old, have been with the Government
since 1973, have worked in Iowa, North Dakota, DC, and now Nebraska.
Back in February of this year my wife filed for divorce and she moved
out in July with our 14 year old son and out 19 year old son now lives
with them too. My 22 year old daughter stayed with me - until she gets
married next May 22. She's been a real treasure these past three weeks
for me. I do NOT want a divorce but it looks like I have no choice in
the matter. My wife hasn't even bothered to see me since the accident.
        I signed papers yesterday to list our house for sale - was
having no luck selling it on my own and with the new "inconvenience"
figured I may as well go ahead and list with a Real Estate company.
Apparently the agent had no problem getting her to sign the listing
agrement.
        Guess I've cried about long enough to everyone for now. Hope to
hear back from some of you soon.
        Thanks everyone for the shoulder - I needed it.

 * SLMR 2.1a * My reality check just bounced.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!285!202!Bill.Scrivner
Internet: Bill.Scrivner@f202.n285.z1.fidonet.org



------



Subject: Weather with the stump
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to John Hargrove <11-05-92 22:12> Shari Messner wrote:

SM> Now now , do you want everything?  If you knew how to dress then you
SM> wouldn't be any fun at all.  That is what you are suposed to do - - -
SM> keep em guessing.

Figrued it out this far by watching the weather maps.  I start to
feel it when the fronts get a little past the mountains.  Once they
make the hump they start to send waves through the atmosphere.
Once they hit Tx. and hit our waves coming off the gulf is when it
really play havac with the stump.

Hows your friend doing??

John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!68!John.Hargrove
Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org



------



Subject: Re: NTASG?  No one knows...
From: Robert.Thurlow@f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Robert Thurlow)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

>That's not an isolated problem...  I'm a left BK amputee of about
>seven years.  Surgery was at Memorial-Garland, doctors were from
>Garland, Richardson and Dallas, prosthetists were from North Dallas
>(in fact one is an amputee), but NONE OF THEM EVER MENTIONED NTASG
>to me...  I stumbled across The National Amputee Connection BBS by
>accident last spring, while prowling through a list of local BBS's
>looking for something completely unrelated.  That's the only way I
>came to know of your existence.  NTASG is an extremely well kept
>secret.

Hi Dan.  We're a mystery to entirely too many people, unfortunately.
We've been around for more than four years now, but it's been hell
keeping the hospitals and rehabs from forgetting that we're here.
We need to keep in better contact with them, but at this point, the
list of "shoulds" is so much longer than the list of "who's" that
it's tough to keep up.  Worse, we won't get new blood without more
new members coming through.

Needless to say, any high-leverage ways for us to reach people would
be appreciated.  We have a poster and a group brochure in the works.

>So, as long as we're talking about well kept secrets, does NTASG
>still have monthly meetings?  What do you do?  Who shows up for
>them?  May I attend?

Yes, we sure do, and you're sure welcome.  They're informal and
friendly, and we have a topic or a video about half the time.  We
have a program committee to try to line up speakers, and they've
got some good ones starting in January.  You'll get a newsletter
after Monday, and the meeting is next Sunday afternoon.  I hope we
see you there!

Rob T

... If you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!5109!Robert.Thurlow
Internet: Robert.Thurlow@f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org



------



Subject: Re: New Amputee - Intro letr
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to All <11-07-92 11:29> Bill Scrivner wrote:

BS>      This is sort of an introductory note and I hope it generates at
BS> least some response - I feel pretty trapped at the moment and this
BS> is my way out.

Yeap...one can feel a bit trap at times.  But with friends it
sounds like you have you'll be up and around in no time.  Good for
the sysop who directed you to this bunch of nuts.......grin.  Bet
we can get the old self to flowing in no time.

BS> Rehabilitation Hospital here in town. Went to see him yesterday and
BS> he
BS> had people show me how to wrap the stump so it will get into the
BS> shape
BS> they want for fitting a prosthesis (sp??). It sounds like they may be
BS> planning to have me up on a new foot pretty soon - like maybe a week
BS> or
BS> two if the swelling can be kept under control. The Doctors in Des

Next time in ask about stump stinkers.  There like tube socks that
you place over the stump.  They do the same thing but don't slip
down.

When I lost my leg in '89 my doc told me it would be a couple of
months.  Course each person is different.  You might be in a leg in
a couple of weeks or a couple of months.  Just depends.  I have
some friends in our amputee support group who where in their legs
in two to three weeks after the surgery but they are AKs (above the
knee).  Oh well when you get it it will be the best thing that
happened to you.  I felt woderfull when I got mine.

BS> (that's one that not everybody I know will be getting!). I was rather
BS> shocked when the lady who was teaching me how to wrap mentioned that
BS> I
BS> would probably want to buy a wheelchair. Is that really necessary? I

I had a choice of a wheelchair, wallker, or crutches.  I chose the
cructhes.  It was one step closes to walking and it did not take me
long to adapt to the leg when I did get it.  Took some PT to help
me learn how to walk with the cructhes without killing myself.  I
was on them to a months before I went to a cane.

John

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!68!John.Hargrove
Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org



------



Subject: Phantoms in the NY Times
From: Richard.Womer@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Richard Womer)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Today's New York Times (Tues 11/10) science section has a very good
article on phantom sensations, and what study of phantom sensations is
teaching neuroscientists.  To make a long story short, the intense
phantom during the days or weeks following surgery seems related to the
no-longer-used nerves in the brain making other, new connections--they
don't just shrivel up, as was once thought.  The researchers (whose
names I forget at the moment) are looking for recent amputees to study.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!5109.0!Richard.Womer
Internet: Richard.Womer@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org



------



Subject: New Amputee - Intro letr
From: Dan.Johnsen@f6504.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Dan Johnsen)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/6504 - Two Ravens BBS, Plano TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hi Bill,

If you've seen my last couple of messages (OK, my ONLY messages; I've been
guilty of lurking too long), you know it took me seven years to find this
echo and to even hear about our local support group!  I think it's really
great that someone got you pointed over here as quickly as they did; there
are a bunch of neat folks on here...

Most of the non-amputees (that bother to think about it) seem to assume I
was either in a bike accident or am diabetic.  Those must be awfully
common ways to lose a limb; at least you'll meet one of their
expectations.

As far as the chair goes, I'm about your age and had always been fairly
sedentary (still am, I guess), but I've had NO problems using crutches
when I couldn't wear the prosthesis.  In fact I've probably spent about
half of the last seven years on crutches, but that's a whole 'nother
story; it does do wonders for developing your upper arms and shoulders.
I'd never put anybody down for having to use a chair, but I think you'll
find better mobility, a lot more independence and a whole lot less
inconvenience if you are lucky enough to be able to get by with crutches
until they get you up on a prosthesis.

I'm sure that right about now you feel like you could have done with a
couple fewer "life enriching" experiences over the last year or so, but I
saw a lot of really positive stuff in your message, too.  From the
description of your treatment, it sounds like you're getting some pretty
good medical care and direction, and it sounds like you've got a great
daughter there...  This is a tough way to meet a different group of
people, but I think you'll like the ones that hang around here.

Thanks for giving another new guy a reason for jumping in!   Dan

 * WinQwk 2.0 #0 * Unregistered Evaluation Copy

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!6504!Dan.Johnsen
Internet: Dan.Johnsen@f6504.n124.z1.fidonet.org



------






                                ******

                  End of Issue # 3019 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU