Junior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MsRriO
Coming up on six months of PCS here, and today I'm aware of some bright sides to my story. Yet only a few short months ago, my days were quite consumed with anxiety. Through no fault of our own, I believe, our anxiety is a biological response to the head trauma. Through no merit of my own, the anxiety seems to be lessening as time wears on. Healing is at work in my brain and I'm so grateful today.
Some wonderful surprises have come into my life since being injured.
One of them is my love of baking. I had no idea I was like this but I seem to have unlocked my inner Betty Crocker. This may not seem like a big deal unless you've had the misfortune of being my friend in real life. I'm the one who would show up at a potluck with something out of a box that I likely picked up on the way to the event and didn't even bother trying to disguise it as my own creation.
How this affects my son is amazing to behold. He has begun baking with me. He is excited now to have time with me, to create. He will even do dishes with me when before that would have been a battle.
I've noticed more changes in him as well. Less screen time, more Lego time and imaginary play. Because our home is calmer, quieter, I notice him reading more often and hugging me more often.
And did you know... instead of the chaotic pace before bedtime (when I'd be packing lunches for school and work, getting clothes ready etc) I've slowed down somehow by just being afforded more hours in a day... And my son and I have rekindled our routine of praying together before sleep. My heart just feels like dancing about this one.
So many bright sides to this story. Gifts from heaven, if you ask me.
Another is my new love of silence. It's no longer needed as badly as it was in the beginning but I crave it. Silence settles me. I'm that kind of person now. I was formerly the one cranking music, telling a loud story, restless within myself to be constantly entertained or entertaining, never satisfied to just "be". I believe this has led to a calmer, more inviting home for my son.
Can six months change a person? I'd say so. Right now I have the luxury of a slow schedule of therapy and another six weeks until I return to work, where the pace will threaten to swallow this new me, and revert to the old me. I'd say the old me was delusional, contented only on the surface with her chaotic pace. She was desperate to slow down and I believe God afforded a way. Though discipline is never pleasant at the time, it is from my Father who loves me.
I pray I never forget the lessons this has taught me. I no longer miss the "old" me, as I believe this new me is actually improved.
I thought Sunday was a great day to share a bright side post. What are your bright side moments?
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This is such an encouraging post. Thank you for sharing! I'm at 3 months PCS and I too have recently began to reflect on how much these past three months have changed me, not necessarily in a bad way. Even though I am still recovering, I am so much more thankful everyday for the life that I have and I no longer take my health for granted. I know when I come out of this I am going to have such an appreciation for being healthy.
I believe the man upstairs has a plan for me and He will have me come out of this funk a better man than I was before my accident. I too lived a fast-paced lifestyle prior to my injury and I have settled down a lot as well. Now I enjoy quiet time, silence, and relaxing. It's just soothing to the soul.
I wish you the best in your recovery. Your post definitely brightened my day. 
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I was in a snowboarding accident on January 19, 2013. I caught an edge on my snowboard while carving down the mountain without a helmet. I smacked the back of my head hard on the ground. I was not knocked out and it took about a week for symptoms to come into full effect.
Since my accident I have been in a cycle of feeling better and then relapsing. It has happened many times. Although I think the overall trend is slowly traveling up. My symptoms included headaches, anxiety, sensitivity to light and noise, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, trouble concentrating, brain fog, loss of social interest, irritability, and mood swings.
Many symptoms have since resolved and I am left with slight dizziness, sensitivity to large crowds and busy environments, small amounts of anxiety, and brain fog off and on.
I am currently under the care of a neuropsychologist at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic. I am also undergoing balance/vestibular physical therapy to help with my remaining symptoms.
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