[Consider]

Here's one tip for all of you. Do not say you want to be back to normal, there is no normal, and I wish I would have told myself this during recovery.

Instead of this, try saying I want to see improvements. Baby steps are what counts in a PCS injury. One step at a time, they all say.

I got better on April 8, 2013. After two weeks of no symptoms, my full recovery was marked down on that date.

No symptoms to date, except the occasional mild headache which is relieved by napping.

Vitamin Supplements, Medication, and acupressure massages by a licensed acupuncturist/massage therapist, justt the small things made such a difference. The hospital taught me how to relax and let go, to have fun despite the bad times I was going through.

Relaxing and letting go was hard, but it did eventually get me on the path of where I wanted to go, instead of living for today, I was stuck in loops of the past. Recurring thoughts that ate me and wouldn't go away.

I can now say I am here and fully recovered, despite some shocks of occipital neuralgia on the left side. And even those, aren't so bad anymore. I am so happy with who I am now, so proud of what I've done and the challenge it was to get through. All I can say is that it made me stronger, and appreciate life more. I now go outside more, and can appreciate nice organic markets than ever before! I love food!

[sospan]

Agree totally, There is no normal there is just a new you. When I see medical professionals I tell them I can no longer do maths. Inevitably, somebody in the room says "but, I can do maths either" it is quite common i.e. implying it is normal.

Taking this to the extreme - In the world of disability the word "Normal" is deemed as bad as using other racist descriptor. In the UK we have a scheme supported by the government where disabled people get an allowance to buy discounted cars from all the main manufacturer. One dealer refused to sell me a car because he wanted to keep it for "Normal" customers not those on a disability scheme. When I complained the sales man dug himself a bigger hole by saying "but you look normal". When I pointed this out to the manufacturer they were so embarrassed were almost giving me the car for free but I didn't take them up on it

[Lightrail11]

Thanks for the post, I agree with your perspective. I tend to see normal as a continuum rather than a static state. As we go through life we experience all kinds of changes, therefore what was "normal" in the past changes over time. Traumatic events tend to knock our normal off the rails; for me recovery was about getting the train back on the track.

So I think we continuously reevaluate “normal”. When I was out with my injury, at first “normal” was getting out of the wheelchair. I did; I now walk with a cane, which is my new physical “normal”. Then I desperately wanted to get back to work. When the neuropsychological assessment came back and said “On examination, the patient demonstrated intact cognition in all domains assessed including learning and memory, attention, processing speed, language skills and executive functions. He has shown an excellent recovery from his severe injury only five months ago. From a cognitive standpoint there are no concerns with respect to the patient returning to work full time or returning to driving”, that was as normal as I needed to hear.

If I can move forward and enjoy my life that’s as normal as I need to be.

Best to you all in finding your new normal.

[ginnie]

I once heard quoted, from some spiritual guide, "Normal is just another setting on a hair dryer" yep, thats it. ginnie

[poetrymom]

I never say the word "recovered" for this condition. I only say, I am getting better.


pm

[mouse1]

I agree, it is very hard to say you are better, it is always nearly better.

The problem with PCS is it is a rollercoaster with very big climbs and dips at the beginning.

I am cleared for work but still have climbs and dips, and you think something is resolved and it comes back again - but thankfully to a lesser extent.

The one thing that never goes away though for myself is fatigue. When the fatigue goes I will think I will be as good as I am going to get.