Obviously being on the Internet isn't the best option. I'm past the period where I had to be completely inactive (and I wasn't entirely inactive then), but I'm still wondering what folks did/do in order to stave off boredom.

During my really bad weeks I just hung out with my dogs and threw the ball for them.

I'm teaching myself Japanese. A lifetime of learning should I choose. Really soaks up the hours.

Audiobooks (if you're on iTunes you can get them free in the podcasts section from 'librivox') were much easier on my brain than reading.

Birdwatching - interesting but slow and so not too taxing, I found. V peaceful. Find a friend who enjoys it and you can even socialise!

When I first got sick, I stopped at a rest area on the way back from Mayo clinic. I had not stopped crying. I picked up a book, I knew nothing about. Soon the book had me so absorbed, my tears dried up. I now use this as escape all the time. Even with TBI a reader that is back lit, can tone down the light, and the writing itself can be altered to accomodate problems with reading. This has kept my sanity for the most part through these years. Hope you will consider trying it. I was NOT a reader before I did this. ginnie

Ginnie...

Can you tell me who you saw at Mayo. I am there now and very frustrated!

Sara,

Just like "If you've seen one head injury, you've seen ONE head injury," seeing the same doctor that someone else had a good experience with is no a guarantee of the same experience. I have had both good and bad experiences with the same doctor. It depends on the stresses of the day the doctor is dealing with.

You may find that nurses or PA's may be better at directing you. Most of us know to not put too much faith in any doctor until they have met with us and established a reason for that faith.

Besides, in most situations, there is not much they can do to help us.

Post your worst struggles here and the help with be a good substitute for all but the best doctors.

My best to you.



My best to you.

Demand the DX you deserve. Demand to see the doctors who can help, don't let them sweep you under the rug. Speak up for yourself.
I was there in 1980, doc. most likely is retired, He was actually named Dr. Mayo if you can belive that. He was in dermotology, as I had lost all my hair. was DX with auto immune disease called alopecia universalis, an inbalance of T @ b lymphocytes. The flight to fight responce is always in the on position, and these cells don't know who to fight. They set me up in a trial study in Columbia university medical center, two hours from my home of Quincy Illinois. Mayo would not accept me into that program unless I lived up there.
The only thing I didn't like up there, was the DX given to me while I sat in a hospital gown, bald and naked. They could have given me the chance to dress and feel more human. I was very vunerable, both physically and emotionally. Who are you seeing.? I can look him up, and see what kind of reputation he has. Also what Dept. are you in? Don't give up, get ticked. I will pray for you. will be on line tomorrow. What tests have they done, and what are they looking for? take care, and have hope, ginnie

Reading on my kindle. It is easy on the eyes and you can adjust the brightness

Rugger,

Can you perhaps get into drawing, or even doodling --- perhaps playing with writing bits of haiku or a little poetry?
Or allow yourself play with tempera paint and paintbrushes ?

Any of the above can be a mind-soothing sort of activity. Potentially also can be psychologically therapeutic.

Hoping for you a good recovery, Gal.