My medical history

[disabledkenny]

This is about Kenny Fletcher life since conditions started at the age of 14!

I was 14 when my right knee started giving away in school & took me to hospital, they did not know what was wrong so stuck me in plaster cast from my hip to my ankle, after 3 months they removed it & told me I had oscoslaters disease (lack of cartilage tissue), at the age of 19 I saw a rheumatologist & he operated on my knee & discovered that I had osteoarthritis, a year later my hips started then my left knee, they sent me for physiotherapy & gave me pain killers. I also started with asthma so started on inhalers which helped control it.

When I was 27 in 1993 I woke up unable to move from my neck down so my ex-partner called out my doctor he said the osteoarthritis had hit my spine & sent me immobilized so gave me some anti-inflammatory tablets and within 4 hours was able to move & start walking again, but had to give up my job as head waiter of a hotel in Oldham, I was able to claim benefits & disability living allowance (now called PIP) & got the higher rate care & mobility.

1994 I had a major stroke & took 8 months to recover I was unable to move my left side & has slurred speech also for a few days was blind.

In 1997 I started my own business designing & printing business stationery for small businesses & was driving from Morecambe to Lancaster, Preston, Blackpool, Oldham & Manchester, but in November 1997 had another major stroke which took 13 months to recover from so ended back on benefits.

I started suffering from severe depression disorder in 1998 saw a psycritis and stress councilor eventually medication helped me.

I had a bad fall in 1999 using my wheelchair going up a steep drop curb I fractured my center & lower vertebra’s & spent 3 years needing a lot of care unable to walk mostly bedridden.

From 1998 - 2012 I had a lot of strokes, light strokes & TIA’s in & out of the hospital, as they discovered that I had a stroke-related condition.

In 2001 I moved back to Oldham to be near my friends.

2009 became paralyzed from the chest down, spent 4 weeks in the hospital, 3 months later got feeling of upper body but legs remained paralyzed for a further 15 months, still to this day did not find out why.

Had a heart attack in 2014 discovered I had Super Ventricular Tachycardia condition recovered after a couple of weeks.

Started with prostate problems in 2016 on medication to help.

Physiotherapist diagnosed me as having nerve damage in the upper spine, waiting for MRI then the appointment with Neurologist, this is caused through thinning of the discs in my spine causing the vertebra to rub together & get worn pressing onto my nerves, it causes pain & weakness in the upper body.

So after all this, I have mental health issues through all that my body has been through.

[Hidden]

Hello again Kenny,

That's quite a rundown, and I don't think that many would disagree that you've certainly gone through the mill, several times around!

But what's admirable is that you keep picking yourself up, and I know from your previous post that you spend time helping others, so you are obviously one of those tough people who can keep going against all the odds.

So very best wishes to you and I hope you continue to be able to keep that attitude to all of your life challenges. It's a real gift. Best wishes to you.

[sassy59]

Hi Kenny, you certainly have a lot to cope with in life and yet you still get through each day and are able to help others along the way.

I wish you all the best for whatever the future holds. Xxxx

[disabledkenny in reply to sassy59]

Thanks, Sassy59 I look forward to getting to know you

[secrets22]

Gosh,you poor thing,my thoughts are with you,and I wish you better days ahead.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Kenny, While you have been through the mill with your health you have been able to pick yourself up, helping others along the way so you are a truely inspirational fella.

Well done Kenny and long may you post on this community and continue to be an inspiration to others.

Best wishes to you and others like you on this very caring and supportive community.

Have a good week end all.

MAS Nurse & Moderator.

[disabledkenny in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Hi MAS_Nurse, thanks I look forward to getting to know you & everyone here, I enjoy helping & supporting others, I am looking forward to starting the Versus Arthritis group here in Oldham

[SquirrelsHolt]

Oh for once, I'm not quite what to reply to you. (and I can hear members signing with relief!). I hope you find some days are better than others and I hope you stay in contact.

[disabledkenny in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Hi SquirrelsHolt, thanks I will stay in contact, I have a few groups that I run but will try to get in as much as I can, take care.

[Hellebelle]

Hi Kenny, you have been through so much but have managed to get through it and pick yourself up. What you have described would be a monumental challenge for anyone. I hope you get lots of much needed support from this site. Sending lots of love and strength xx

[disabledkenny in reply to Hellebelle]

Thanks Hellebelle