Last year marked 15 years since my traumatic injury. I'm grateful for being able to go to an excellent rehab program at Mt. Sinai. In many ways, I've recovered functionally for example being able to feed myself, type, and transfer mostly on my own. I'm grateful for the counsel of Phil Foglia who made it possible for me to have the means to drive a special vehicle and have better options than many in my position. Most of all, I'm grateful for my father's consistent support. He was the only family member that stuck by me in the hospital and nursing home. he learned all of my care and listened while I went through my grieving process.
8 years ago, I was finally able to leave the nursing home. My condition is stable but with a tracheostomy, I need constant nursing care. I still hope to be decannulated someday. My father fills in when a nurse is not available. I can count on one hand how many friends have come to visit me and really learn what it means to be a friend to someone disabled.
I've lost a lot of respect for the nursing industry. I've met very few who've exemplified what a nurse should be. It cannot be blamed on understaffing, which is a problem. However, even with one patient and great pay, many nurses are low-down, rotten scoundrels! Ungrateful evil dirtbags that can't be trusted. They take advantage of the weak and I can't wait to see them in the hands of an angry God!
Besides my tracheal stenosis, my pain is my biggest problem. Quadriplegics tend to have severe nerve pain, usually in the legs or buttocks which is where I have it. The longer I sit, the worse it gets so after 5-6 hours in the chair, I have to lie down on my side. NOTHING TAKES THIS PAIN AWAY. Some days are better than others but it's usually at a 5 or 6 on the pain scale. My life revolves around this condition; when to cath, when to suction, when to take meds, and when to have a bowel routine. Sometimes I have serious Job moments but I have to trust that God's grace is sufficient.
