Question
Dear Leslie Hartman,
I am writing a book about someone who has a spinal cord injury. I would like to know how long you where in the hospital and what went on while you where there. I would appreciate it if you could help me in any way.

Thanks a lot,
Robyn F.

Answer
Wow.  That's a mouthful, answer-wise! I'll try to hit some highlights for you, deal?  I was in intensive care for 45 days- broke my neck of course but had serious problems with my legs collapsing and an infection that went systemic.  Then I was in a rehab hospital for a bit over 2 months.  This list is from the 45 days... actions first, impressions second.  This may be more than you're wanting!

-had a nurse give me my morphine then do some herself


You know what, I just realized the list I was about to make might be not at all what you're wanting... Do you need a list of medical procedures and surgeries or more of an experiential sort of list?  I can tell you when certain things happened, mostly because my mom wrote everything down.  I was so full of meds that I kept thinking I was on the floor or stuck in the wall (??)- even the things I know were dreams were full of grey foggy places.  I remember people, nurses who told me about their families, etc, that DON'T exist.  I had a tracheostomy, little hole in the throat for the ventilator, but they put a collar around your whole neck and I thought my neck was cut all the way around.  So, logically, I tried to keep my chin tucked down so my head wouldn't fall off...  I got so sad at night, cried and cried, that I tried to kill myself by holding my breath (arm was broken, other one ful of tubes).  The joke there is that I was attached to a ventilator- its sole job to make sure I kept breathing.

I have a bblack sense of humor- it is how I am ok with life, and overall is I think pretty healthy considering the other possibilities.  Some of the things I thought were happening are funny to me now, some are still scary.  Either way, the experiential list would be alot longer.

Let me know which list you prefer and I will write it for you.  I've always thought there was a book in the whole experience (though it might be something as indecipherable as some James Joyce).  Glad to help in either direction!

Leslie