between the concussion and acquired brain injury, I was lucky to avoid any cognitive difficulties, at least I think so. but the sensory symptoms - tinnitus, parasthesia, burning pain, fatigue from terrible sleep - are quite incapacitating. it's been 7 years and athough I a going to take marks advice and to to physiatrist, I have to decide for my peace of mind whether I will work again or not. I do not have kids or much family near me so it is quite hard to keep busy and get company so work was my personal as well as business life. don't know what to think. I was able to work after concussion. the abi did me in.

I don't think you can make a hard decision like that right now. You have unresolved issues that need to be resolved. Create a list of goals and a list of the things you need to do to attain those goals. Then, start chipping away at that second list bit by bit.

mark your help and advice have been invaluable the past few weeks and I feel like I have some direction and dare I say hope after all these years. waiting to hear back from a few physiatrists.

Never give up.

I have the same thought daily... Will I go back to work... Can I do my job... My entire recovery is based on "will this get me back to work?" I have become obsessed... and probably not in a good way...

if it motivates you that is good but don't let it get you upset. you are early n your recovery and believe me after one tbi and two abi's I've found the recuperative powers of the brain are stronger than thought. I remember waking up not knowing where I was, and not being able to type. I just take each day now

damn straight

Never give up! The brain continues to grow and heal until we die. I know how hard it is and my return to work is not easy nor very successful. I don't work in a noisy place, luckily,and I work a lot in silence. But I mess deadlines, forget to do things, am not doing my core duties well and my promotion opportunities are dead. But I feel pride that I am doing it. It means a huge step for me and I have to reframe my definition of success.Success now is that I showed up and took my place.

I hope you can keep your hope alive.

Mokey! You are inspiring me to keep going. I can't do a Fall return, so maybe Spring. (yes, they may fire me in the meantime, but I'm doing my therapies and my work in the meantime).

Yes, keep hope alive. Then we can keep on pushing ourselves, one step at a time.

We may not return to who we once were, but who we will be, no one can say.

That's the hope we have to fight for, one step at a time.

I never realized how important the word hope was until this happened. god bless all of us.