Message of Hope--2 years later
 

Hi Everyone:

I've been meaning to write something here but my life is, well, really busy right now in a very good way. I never really fully recovered from my head injury in the way that I would imagine. Indeed I am even better than I was before, I think. My injury changed me in many positive ways, the most of which is I never take one day for granted. Life is a gift.

But let me also say that although I am not exactly the same person I was a little over two years ago, I'm darn close. I don't have the same equilibrium in busy stores (very minor now) for instance, or airports. My vision will never be the same. I am a little more prone to anxiety and depression. I just ignore these very minor symptoms, however, and get on with my awesome life.

Here's a recap of my week so far:

Sunday: After a busy work week get up at 5:30 and ride bikes a hard 50 miles on gravel roads with friends. One hour later after arriving home start driving down to an amusement park 4 hours away to ride roller coasters with my family. Swim at the hotel pool with my girls in the evening.

Monday: Ride roller coasters part of the day (these do make me queasy now, whereas they didn't before) and wander the park in the heat with my family, have an awesome time. Even if slight balance problems do arise, just ignore them and move forward. Swim at the motel pool with my girls that night.

Tuesday: Drive back with my family from the park and mow the lawn in the evening. Go for a short run. Prepare for the busy rest of the work week after this little vacation.

Wednesday: Kick *** at my job.

Two years ago I thought my life was over. I didn't think I could do my job anymore, be a competitive cyclist again, or be the same father I was. I didn't know how I was going to support my family. I felt ill, exhausted, anxious, blurry and dizzy every day except when I was trying to find sleep which were generally terrible. My brain just didn't work at all for months after my concussion and it manifested itself in relatively minor but near constant and overwhelming symptoms which I paid far too much heed to. I was a mess and would crap out at about 1pm at my demanding job. I didn't know how I was going to support my family.

But I pressed on, with the help especially from Mark from Idaho, who is a saint, and a very good Neuropsychologist I ended up working with at a brain rehab center. I de-stressed my life, got a neuropsych test, some CBT and an SNRI, cut back hours at work, started a very gradual fitness program, and really started to get back in the game.

Stay hopeful! Move forward from minor symptoms, even if they are there for the rest of your life, you can move forward. The brain can take a LONG time to heal. Just yesterday I was thinking about how driving didn't bother me anymore. Driving long distances left me feeling pretty wonky still just a year ago.

Cheers!!

Seth,

Great to hear of your ability to get on with life.

A tip regarding roller coasters. It helps to keep your shoulders off the seat back so your head and shoulders do not absorb all of the vibrations and motions so severely. I lean forward just a bit and hold onto the safety bar and can ride with minimal issues. If I forget and leave my shoulders against the seat back, the movement kicks my butt.

Awesome to hear things have improved!!!

I sure look forward, to the time I am able to ride the rollercoaster with my kids.

Seth,

Good to hear of your progress.

I have come a long ways also, much thanks to God!

You mentioned equilibrium in busy stores being off, I experience the same thing but never any ill results from it, just a different feeling than before.

I too think my accident changed me for the better.

Ride on!
Bud

Yes, definitely a different feeling for sure. But far better than the disequilibrium I was experiencing two years ago. I have learned to live with it and accept it. It has something to do with my vision but I believe is not treatable. Either way, it is very, very minor now. Life could not be better!

Also--I wanted to mention that I just did the Copper Triangle ride in Colorado 7 days ago. 83 miles, 7000 ft. of climbing, bomber descents. On the way back I had to spend the night in the airport because of a missed flight. I have now been working a 50 hour work week on top of that and will be doing a 107 mile ride tomorrow.

I just got an article accepted into a national-level professional journal and am spearheading a groundbreaking initiative at work.

I couldn't have even imagined anything but a daily struggle to survive two years ago. I realize that every injury is different--but most people recover and go on to do amazing things with their lives.