Kauvery Kathaigal: 3
Family is Everything: The Strength Behind the Spine
Patient: A woman in her early seventies.
Condition: Narrowing of the vertebral canal leading to a fall, a fracture spine and paraplegia.
Patient's Story
When I first saw her, she was deeply unhappy. She had noticed gradually increasing weakness in both legs which made walking challenging; she did not feel steady and safe. It was only after she fell one day, that investigations showed that it was the narrowing of the vertebral canal that housed the spinal cord that caused the weakness and fall which caused a fracture of the last of the vertebrae at the high back that doctors number as T12 – Thoracic 12. That is a very sensitive area- the spinal cord almost ends there, leaving behind a bunch of nerves that look like a horse’ s tail-hence called Cauda Equina. Operating and stabilizing that fracture was not a safe option at that time. The fracture left her paraplegic-she had lost power and sensations below waist, and the bowel and bladder functions were also compromised.
Outcome
The prospect of life in a wheelchair was depressing and frightening; she looked at me silently, with eyes full of tears. But, when I saw her again after a week, she had bounced back in her mood and will.” I am fine” she said, much to my surprise and relief, as I knew that medically she was no better. The reason became clear in a few minutes as a quiet and determined elderly person walked in, along with a bright, and cheerful, young man.
Conclusion
She introduced her husband and son. The husband was a strong and silent man, and the son was positive and supportive. He said that he and his brother take turns caring for her. I was greatly relieved as I was worrying about her for a week. When the chips are down, family is everything.
Happy recovery: Spinal surgery relieved the narrowing of her vertebral canal and the pressure on her spinal cord. Two weeks after surgery strength began to return to her legs.
A patient’s will to live is often a reflection of the love they receive.
