Phillip Sherwood

These are the notes my mother took during the Family Medical Conference at the Shepherd Center on November 13th, 2007. I think it went well and the medical staff was very forthright.

Dr. Bowman led the conference and it began at 10:00 am.

• The injury is classified as incomplete.
• The T5 & T6 were damaged.
• The spinal cord is not severed.
• Abdominal muscles may come back.
• Could be improvement as far as T6-T9.
• Slightest chance his legs may come back.
• More hope for bowel and bladder control.
• The hospital will prepare him for the worse, and hope for the best.
• The greatest recovery period is the first year to 1 1/2 years.
• The Jewett brace used for sitting upright should come off after Thanksgiving.
• The blood clots in the legs could take a few months to go away. Blood clots could kill him if they went to the lungs. A filter is already in place to catch them since the first surgery
• Even with shots, there is a 20% chance of getting blood clots.
• His life span should be the same as without the accident.
• Skin sores are the most dangerous to my health. 
• 2-3 hours on the wrong surface without moving can cause a sore.
• He will need flu and pneumonia shots.  Pneumonia shorts are every 5 years.
• His immune system is the same, but if he gets sick, he will be sicker than normal.
• He could expect 5-6 urinary infections in the first 2 months; Then a couple per year after that, which are treated with antibiotics.
• His release date is 4 to 5 weeks after he is out of the brace.
• Therapy will continue at home.
• There is family training information available on the internet. They will send me the link and login information.
• Three family members can be trained for hands-on care.  An unlimited number can go to the class.
• He will require some help at home at first.
• Phillip asked about electro stimulation. Dr. Bowman said it is not proven to help muscle atrophy.
• Phillip commented that his nurse Katie is outstanding.
• Phillip’s major concern is the noise from the kid next to him at night talking, television, telephone, etc.  This has been brought to the charge nurse’s attention numerous times.  Hopefully they will take more notice this time and can rest peacefully at night.

 The conference ended at 11:00 am