Chris
Meet Chris, 3DPT Franklinville’s first Patient of the Month!
In January, Chris started having lower back pain. By April, it was unbearable and he was no longer able to walk. Doctors found a tumor that was compressing his spinal cord at multiple vertebral levels caused by multiple myeloma. Chris had surgery to remove the tumor and continued to undergo chemotherapy while attempting to regain his function. The tumor resulted in loss of sensation below the waist and due to the months of reduced activity while trying to manage his pain he experience muscle loss and overall deconditioning.
After a week in the hospital and three weeks in inpatient/subacute rehab, Chris started PT at 3DPT Franklinville in mid-May with Joey. His goal this year: to walk and run around with his first grandchild, born this June.
“I rarely turn down anything that Joey wants me to try,” Chris said. “I love when he says, ‘ You might think this is crazy, but…”
We’re beyond proud to be part of Chris’s journey and watch him continue to progress toward his goals!
Here’s what Chris had to say about rehab and time at 3DPT Franklinville:
1. Tell us about what brought you to physical therapy and how this has affected your life.
I started having lower back pain in January of this year. A partial MRI in March revealed a compression fracture in my spine and I was told that I had to deal with the pain management. By the beginning of April, the pain was near a 10/10 and I could hardly walk. My feet and lower legs started tingling constantly. The doctor sent me to the ER where they did a full MRI and a tumor on my spine was found caused by multiple myeloma. On April 15, I had surgery to remove the tumor. I woke up and I could barely move my legs and feet, and I only had partial feeling from my waste down. I spent a week in the hospital and over 3 weeks in rehab. I started 3DPT in mid May.
This illness has really affected my life. I can’t drive, and I can’t yet walk without a walker or cane. My wife has to help me get a shower, and I need to be driven everywhere. I have treatments for the multiple myeloma every Monday, so I can only work 4 days a week. The good news is that the treatments are working.
2. Tell us a little about your recovery process. What has been the hardest part of your therapy? What was your favorite part of physical therapy?
The recovery process has been slow. The doctors said that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. They also said that it could take 18 months to get my feeling back below the waist. Having only partial feeling makes some of the PT hard, especially getting my balance.
The hardest part of PT is trying to strengthen all my leg muscles so I can walk again. It might sound weird, but my favorite part of PT, is when I’m done a session and my legs are sore and tight. I know that this means that the session is working and I’m going to get stronger.
3. What advice would you give to other people going through the same situation?
Some advice to others who have suffered the same injury would be to work hard at PT. I rarely turn down anything that Joey wants me to try or do. I love when he says “You might think this is crazy, but….”
4. What are you looking forward to most this Summer?
My first grandchild was born in June, and my goal is to be able to walk and run around with her within a year from now.
Take a look at Chris in action at 3DPT Franklinville!
We are proud of everything Chris has accomplished, and we’re honored to recognize him as our Patient of the Month!
Physical therapy can help you reach your goals too! Click to make an appointment with a 3DPT physical therapist!