There is no way to predict how your brain will handle your history of head impacts in the long term. When you consider NHL and NFL, those who suffer CTE in their 40 or so are a small percentage of the total players who have played a long hard career or those who played short but even more violent career.

None of us want our brains to give out early but I think some people, especially athletes who are used to living extremely active lives take minor losses in functions and make them into huge issues leading to depression.

I am dealing with permanent losses of cognitive and memory functions. I can understand their pain but not their decision to end it.

My father suffered from a deteriorating brain but it took 20 years from the time he had to retire do to his memory and cognitive struggles before he died. He lived an active life, snow skiing until the last year and going to the gym daily until 3 months before he passed away at 78. He retired at 58 due to his brain problems. His struggles started when he was about 40 and slowly declined from there.

He learned new ways to live life. He had a good life until the last year when he realized he needed help. He had to give up driving about 3 years before he died. He told the same stories over and over for the last decade but we did not see it as a problem. He probably would have lasted longer but cancer surgery with general anesthesia took a toll on his brain.

So, don't worry about CTE. It is a slow progression that effects a small percentage of athletes who suffered concussions.

I have been stable for about 10 years. My problems stabilized once I realized some of my other health issues that were making things worse (sleep apnea)

Enjoy your family. Try to find some simpler ways to live your life. And, give your brain plenty of time to work things out.

My best to you.