DUI accident causes TBI and more
 

My brother was in a car accident caused my a DUI driver in February. We have recently found out he has TBI and short term memory loss *edit*

:grouphug:
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Imagine: You're 26 years old. You are working two jobs just to make ends meet but you love what you do. You're a healthy young man striving to bring positivity and hope to everyone you meet. Your daily goal is to give as many smiles as you can. Although some would say your life is hard, you say you're up to the challenge!

Now, imagine you wake up one day, three weeks after an innocent dinner out with friends, in a hospital bed, not able to speak, not able to feel your legs, and missing the last three weeks of your life due to medically induced coma. You have feeding tubes, breathing tubes, a tracheotomy, a 12 inch scar in your abdomen, and a metal bar sticking out of your waist connecting one hip to the other just above your pelvic region.

You find out walking may be difficult if not impossible. Once you're able to speak again your voice is nothing but a whisper. Physical therapy visits you at least once a day and breathing treatments come twice a day. Once the feeding tube and breathing tube are finally released you find out there's a blood clot in your leg that could be fatal if not treated right away.
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*edit*

More about the story:
 

Morgan went out to dinner one night with friends. He was sitting in the back seat behind the passenger. While sitting in the left turn lane a driver under the influence came speeding across traffic, going 70mph in a 45mph zone, and struck Morgan's car right where he was sitting in the back quarter panel, throwing them into oncoming traffic where they were hit again at least once.

Morgan suffered 13 broken ribs, two punctured lungs, a ruptured spleen, and a severely broken pelvic bone. He underwent multiple surgeries, procedures, and treatments while in the hospital for over 2 months.

Currently he is working with pain doctors as well as normal physicians and has found out he has severe nerve damage in his legs due to a blood clot after surgery and the accident itself. He is also suffering from TBI and short term memory loss, which is possibly the most troubling for him at the time.

Six months later he still isn't able to walk on his own, yet the man who hit him is still walking free with no charges against him. *edit* This isn't the first time this man has been behind the week intoxicated before and we feel the dragging of the DA's feet on this case is inexcusable.

How has TBI or short term memory affected you? How have you worked through it and have you found anything that has improved your neuro functioning? We are just doing everything we can at this time to help Morgan out.

He turns 27 today :o

Nice to meet you!!
 

I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s accident. After my accident my medical conditions were similar: TBI, skull fracture, pelvic fracture, collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs, blood clots, and hospital stay 2 months. For what it’s worth, he is still relatively early in the recovery cycle given the seriousness of the accident. While all brain injuries are different, your brother is still young so I’m guessing significant improvements are anticipated. Do you know what his GCS was upon admittance to hospital?

My short term memory and executive functions were most affected. The in-patient speech therapist had me working on problems involving sequencing and prioritization. Once discharged, my wife made me do multiplication flash cards (memory). In outpatient neuro rehab I continued to work on sorting, reflexes and memorization. One exercise I remember was the therapist shuffled two decks of cards, placed cards from one deck face up, and I had to place the cards from my deck to match. Crossword puzzles may also be useful. You can buy books of them, as necessary start with the easier ones and let him work up to the harder ones to avoid initial frustrations.

If he hasn’t had one already, the doctors should order a neuropsychological evaluation from a clinical neuropsychologist. This will give a better evaluation of his cognitive deficits will enable a more tailored treatment plan.

Check out the forum on TBI/PCS. Best to all of you on this recovery journey.

:hug:

:hug::hug:Sending out some hugs.


And a wish for a happy Birthday to this young man.

I know it will be a long road to recovery.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

Ejected from car
 

HI I am new to this site. I too was hit by a drunk driver 12/18/10. I was 7 months pregnant at the time. I was ejected out the back windshield I was knocked but don't know how long by the time my son kicked his way out of the car and got to me I woke up. and was able to talk to the paramedics on the scene I cracked my head open. remarkably I had no broken bones and the baby was ok.

I was unable to move or walk for three days without extreme pain over my entire body for the 1st few days. I could not turn my head without getting extremely dizzy and disoriented for months. I sprained a finger on my left had and was unable to lift it. after some months of PT I was able to lift it above my head but I still had pain for over a year.

About 7 months after the accident I woke up in intense pain in my ankle I went to the ER and a podiatrist for months and nothing helped, finally he sent me to a surgeon who did an MRI and found out it was from the trauma of the accident. I ended up having surgery on my foot I thought that was it. then about four months later my hips started to hurt, it progressed to the point I could not walk.

now the fingers on my left hand is killing me and my wrist and elbow on my right had is killing me. the doc has tested me for everything and all my blood work is fine. ankle is back to hurting MRI show I still had two micro fractures, and a destroyed ligament MRI on hips show cyst on spine which he said was from impact of the accident. still have trouble with cognitive abilities and if I shake my head...could all this really be from the accident? I never had any issues before the accident now I can barely move

Hello Nicky!
 

Welcome to NT! :hug:

You've found a wonderful place for support and understanding!
People here genuinely care.
I'm so sorry about this accident that you were in. I hope they got the driver behind bars!
Thankfully your baby is alright.

Make yourself right at home, look thru all the different forums. NT has all the bases covered when it comes to needing support of all types.
At the top of most of the forums is a section called the 'Stickies'. Be sure to check it out.

Not sure if you found the Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Forum. Here's the link to take you straight there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=92

So glad you found us!

Rae
:grouphug:

Nice to meet you!!
 

Nicky,

:Wave-Hello: It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Sad to hear about your accident. Nice to have a wonderful son there to help you out. Hope each one of you recover from this accident. Looks like Rae has gotten you going to a great place to get some questions taken care of.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you. :smileypray: