Hi there. I have recently got back from holiday, and am feeling very down. Perhaps with seeing my sons and also reminders of my accident has made me like this. I am feeling worse in my recovery from my TBI that I was a month ago. Hopefully I will come right again soon. If you have had something similar can you let me know. It's my bad balance that's the worst together with my speech.

I am now just over one year since my brain injury. I am disabled to the extent of double vision, vertigo, lack of balance and coordination and slurry speech. I have been told I my take five to ten years for my recovery.

Thanks
Debbie

Determining recovery time is really hard for brain injuries.


I had a friend who had a head to head football tackle, probably 3 or 4 times as hard as my hit and recovered in a fews days, whereas I am at a year and a half.

Some people just have a genetic disposition, like me, I've had a very stressful life, and have always had chronic headache problems. My current situation just worsens it.

Do all that you can do, rest, and take the appropriate precautions to provide a good healing environment, and whatever happens happens.

My best to you.


Just out of curiosity, what was the accident?

I found that there were lots of setbacks...just when you think you may be improving a bit, you crash for a period of time. It is very discouraging.

If you can try to think long term, and about continuous healing, that it good.

I tried to visualise my crashes as periods of consolidation of new neuron connections...a bit like a wild prairie thunderstorm that brings a new peace.

Hang in there. Hour by hour, day by day. You will get better!

Hi All,

I'm at 16 months. 16. I can't believe its that long and I have not healed. Improved, but not enough to be successful at home and I've been out of work and life since.

Learning work arounds and strategies. Miss me. I'm not the same. I miss listening to music, reading books, hiking, swimming, driving, being very active with family and friends. I miss me time.

This life for us now is challenging in all ways. I would not wish on anyone.

Keep your spirits up and find things that feed your soul.

Peace and wellness,

Jace

Hi,

I am not trying to get back to the old me, I don't know that I will every be able to. I am now 25 months pcs and still not able to work. I have been driving in the past few months and that has being incredibly liberating. I use to spend my life in the car driving to work and driving 4 kids around.

You have to push through and fine new things that you enjoy, it can open up a whole new world. I realize how isolating things are but you have to find new things that will enrich your life.

I got a disability parking sticker so going out is a lot easier. When I do activities at home I usually have a stool to sit on and I can last a whole lot longer. Standing will fatigue me a lot quicker.

Twice a week I go across the street in my pajamas and watch t.v. with a retired couple. I watch the mentalist on Sunday and Tuesday Person of Interest and NCIS. It may not seem alot but I really look forward to these evenings. I have my diet coke and just pass an enjoyable time with these two people.

I have passed on most of the grocery shopping to my kids as it was just too hard and used up too much energy.

I bought an actifryer and I am learning how to make some really neat things in it. It new and I am excited by it.

I don't know if I will every be able to camp or kayak again but instead I am looking for things I can do.

The hardest part is living with the uncertainty but you have to respect that it will take as long as it takes to heal and nobody can really tell you when that will be.

It is also hard to deal with insurance company who want you back at work and dealing with having very limited resources. It is really important to get that stress and put it away because it will slow down your recovery.

It is hard to deal with other people's expectations of what you should be able to do and that you look great. You have to put that in box of "other people just don't understand".

The best thing you can do for your family is to get better. Getting better means putting what you need first. It can be hard but it get easier as time gets on. I am no longer super mom but they still love me.

Good luck, I feel your pain, but it does get better.

Norma,

Great message. I felt your words deeply.

On the rear window of my trusted Honda Pilot, it was totaled in the crash but kept us alive, was our window figure family. Husband was a coach, child was a soccer player, and I was supermom~even with a cape.

Those days of meticulous planning, organization, family rock, entertainment guru, ...endless energy~that's over.

And they still love me. A fact I never quite thought of like I did today after reading your post.

Thanks Norma,

Warmest wishes,

Jace

I was also very active before the accident I was in and now I'm still debilitated almost 3 years and 8 mos from the accident...

Luckily, I was finally diagnosed with having hormonal imbalance that was caused by the concussion. I'm receiving hormone replacement therapy, HRT, and I'm getting better.

Although I'm significantly better than I was before I started the HRT, I'm beginning to realize that I probably won't even be 100% again. At this point, that's ok with me, as long as I still get better than I am!

I have been receiving the help of a very understanding and supportive therapist.

This is a very difficult journey for those of us that have to endure it.

It's natural to become blue about having a sudden degradation in functioning and to mourn for the loss. A good therapist can help you through the tough times.

Hang in there.