On another note, there is more and more evidence that the brain is much more elastic and flexible than previously thought. It could be that it just takes a really long time for the brain to re-adapt, explaining my long recovery period.

http://www.livescience.com/health/07...rain-flex.html

Not that long ago scientists were convinced the brain didn't change much once you reached adulthood. Now it seems the model is more like that of a muscle, to a certain degree... at least as far as it's ability to adapt.