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?

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.

Thanks, I'm really glad it brightened someone's day or outlook. There's nothing wrong with celebrating the bright sides, I've learned, it doesn't devalue how real the dark times can be for all of us PCS'ers. It doesn't negate suffering to celebrate the bright side. It just comforts us and we all need that comfort.

My "bell is ringing" (clogged, tight ears and head) tonight like crazy so tomorrow I'm likely to have another giant headache. Shrug... Then I'll need this post to remind myself again of why it's not all bad!

rock on, both of you! this is marvellously encouraging to hear!

My bright side is that I get to go to therapy with my daughter because of my illnesses.We are getting better together.

I just want to share how PCS has changed my life in a positive way, since Ive
Been feeling so down recently! 1. I am going to be able to stay home with my daughter for a while. We never thought it would be financially possible for us, even though I really wanted to, and now we've made it happen out of necessity! 2. Being a stay at home mom will force me to make some new friends, as my daughter is too much of a social butterfly to stay cooped up with mom all day! 3. I hated my job, so I'm glad I don't have to go to work everyday, wasting my talents where they weren't appreciated. Life's too short for that! If it hadn't been for PCS, I'd probably still be working there! 4. PCS has made me reevaluate my life and discover what's really important to me: family, good friends, creativity, and helping others.

Great to hear the bright sides of this terrible illness.

I have always valued my quiet times. My bright side is that my husband now shares them with me. Also, I am getting to spend more time with my mother now that I am not working every day.

Mrs. Rrio, I envy your ability to bake. My short term memory and lack of focus prevents me from baking - I forget whether or not I have added ingredients. On the other hand - can make for some interesting tasting baked goods. ha. ha.

This is a lovely post as I am also struggling to accept where I am (not where I was or fantasies of where I will be).

I just read a quote from Nietzsche that reminds me of this post, of looking for the small bright sides that may just add up to some grand meaning: "He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how."

Bright sides: more time with self, solitude, family and the few friends that are true.

I am also baking and cooking as my "cognitive" challenge! I use to forget steps and ingredients until I read about one with pcs who checks off each step and ingredient as she cooks. Now more things are yummy than icky (so says my 5 year old).

Thanks for the thread. I have so many bright sides it's difficult to capature them all. Just a few:

I realize that life is a gift to be cherished, it can be gone in an instant.
I learned it's OK to allow others to care for and take care of me; I don't always have to be in charge. My wife has grown stronger from her time as my caregiver, as have I.
People are capable of more love and compassion than I used to realize.
It's OK to be quiet, to sit and be alone for awhile.



"That which does not kill us makes us stronger" Friedrich Nietzsche

This is a good post, and its good to hear positivity. My bright side is that I appreciate all I have and all that I previously took for granted. I love my wife and 3 noisy children, even though things haven't been the best with my PCS. I love being increasingly busy in work, it is helping my recovery as I no longer have time to focus on symptoms, and I am gaining confidence all the time.