[Doozer]

Does anyone know why the symptoms of pcs completely vanish from time to time? And by vanish, I mean completely back to normal, as if nothing has happened. Then it slowly comes back. Is this part of the recovery process? Nothing really changes so it can't be anything to do with triggers. It just mysteriously vanishes, as if someone flicked a switch.

Maybe one day this means it will go away and never return?

[Mark in Idaho]

I think this has more to do with a good nights sleep and low stress the day before. The more you can link these good days together, the better you will recover. Do not fall into the trap of "I feel great. Let's go do something." It is a good way to feel lousy the next day. Look at these good days as an indicator of how you will be once you recover. Many wonder if they will make it to 80% or 90% but do not experience these good day so they live in anxiety.

Use the good days to spur yourself and those around you to being disciplined at stress reduction knowing the good days are examples of the light at the end of the tunnel.

When you can link 10 to 15 of these good days, you can start to stretch your activity level. It will be great for everybody if you continue to pursue a stress reduced life. Stress can cause PCS to rear up and slap you even after you have recovered.

[Doozer]

The thing is, when this happens it's not merely a good day, it lasts for a month. So I absolutely think I'm recovered. Then it comes back. It's happened a few times, but not since last autumn now. This bad phase is a long one. I don't fully understand why or how it happens. One day I have the normal symptoms, then the spontaneously vanish. Would you say thats a good sign for the future?

[Mark in Idaho]

Yes, this is a good sign. I bet you have something happening in your life that is triggering your relapses. Emotional stress, environmental stress/toxins, dietary stress (alcohol, allergens, etc) sleep changes, etc. can all cause trouble.

Or, minor health issues, colds and the flu, TIA's, etc.

You may never figure this out.

[Doozer]

Truth be told Mark, I've had a rough year (2015). Had 3 really bad viruses which knocked me flat for 3 weeks to a month at a time. I've had the added stress of my wife having to have a major operation to remove a brain tumour. And we have little kids which is demanding and stressful in itself. So it's no wonder I have relapses.

After all this happening, we decided to book a holiday. Just a real relaxing and fun time. Not only is this good for stress, it's something to look forward to as well. It can't hurt.

I hope that the times when I do go back to normal are an indicator of what my final recovery will be like. That would be good.

[Bud]

Doozer,

Sounds like enough to me to cause some discomfort to say the least.

My symptoms are bouncing around a lot too but I think a lot of it has to do with stress. I have several work related dilemmas...major stuff that can close the doors that are ongoing and not of my making. I don't seem to have the same ability to handle stuff like that and I sort of fall apart at times.

I hope your wife is recovering quickly and strong. I will pray for her and your family, your kids have had a full plate of uncertainty to it sounds.

My best wishes for you.

Bud

[Doozer]

As far as we're concerned, the kids are shielded from all of this. There's no reason for them to know much about it. Childhood should remain as unspoiled as humanly possible. As for my wife, she's made a miraculous recovery. The surgeon did an amazing job of removing the tumour, which was partially wrapped around her right optic nerve and very close to a main artery. Thankfully it was benign. Those surgeons save lives and are unsung heroes in my view. As for me I soldier on, I think things are slowly improving, but it's a very slow process.

Thanks for your kind words bud.

[Mark in Idaho]

You underestimate the ability of children to understand things like this. They tend to not get anxious about health issues like adults do. You could compare your condition to things they understand like, "You know how you don't like a lot of noise when you are tired, that is how Daddy is sometimes." or "You know how when you first wake up, you may not know what is going on, Daddy is like that sometimes." or "Sometimes, Daddy gets really tired and needs it to be quiet."

Kids have far more resilience that we would expect. They see things that we try to hide. They will be much better off if they feel like they are on your team rather than kept in the dark.

My wife was protected from her father's diabetes health conditions and it left her with huge voids and confusion until she was an adult. It was like she was left out of her father's life.

I grew up with my father working in highly classified Top Secret work for the government. We were never told what he did. We always felt left out and didn't understand why my father would get stressed out or may have to work long hours with no explanation.

You kids will grow up with a better and more balanced view of life if they understand. And, you will reduce your stress levels when they crawl up on your lap and just sit quietly. They will feel empowered to help mummy and daddy.

[DannyT]

Doozer it makes me happy to hear about your wife's recovery. It shows you that there are competent doctors out there that save lives. Hope for the best and I say if you have vanishing symptoms then be grateful, right?

[Doozer]

My oldest knows about my injury, my youngest is too young to even speak yet. What I meant by protecting them is not allowing the full brunt of the miserable times on their shoulders. I don't think being miserable to a child really helps them, so from that perspective we try and keep a happy house. Even through the hard times. I didn't really see the point is saying to my oldest, "well mummy has to have a major operation on her brain, and she may not survive" what I did say is that mummy had a bump on the head, and we need your help to get her better. He was good with that version.