[RisibleGirl]

My one and only NY resolution was no hospitals or ER in 2008. Maybe I should have made an easier resolution for myself, like lose 100 lbs in 10 days. I think I could have kept that one much easier than no hospitals.

I fainted again Friday night, and was unconscious for who knows how long. I remember looking at the clock when I got up to use the bathroom- it was 2 a.m. on the dot, and when I looked at the clock after my husband helped me to the living room- it was 2:40. I woke up in a pool of blood on the floor and in a lot of pain. The loud thud woke up my husband, and I'm sure the sight of me laying in a growing puddle of blood was not a nice sight for him.

I knew that this wasn't going to be one of those "wait until morning and see how I feel" things. I simply said, "we need to go to the E.R. right now".

We got in fairly quickly, actually. Maybe it was the open head wound and they didn't want me leaving a trail of blood for them to clean up.

Since I seem to have landed directly on top of my head (how? HOW did I manage to do that), it did something to my neck and right shoulder. I can't move my head more than 2 inches in any direction.

They did a CT scan on my head and neck and an x-ray on my wrist. Nothing was broken- although I don't believe that about the wrist- I believe I *DID* break something in that wrist or arm and will go have that checked again.

Today, I'm starting to show bruising on my forehead- so who knows what THATs about.

I didn't realize the gash on my head was so big. Apparently it's 4 inches long, and I'm now sporting 7 staples on top of my head. Even with pain meds via IV and the numbing shot in my head- I felt all of those staples going in. Twice, even. He first put in staples that he decided were too big, so took those out and then put in the smaller staples.

I hope this doesn't make me worse. I've been in a deep dark hole since late December and haven't been able to answer email, answer the phone, or talk to my friends. I suspect I need to have my anti-depressants adjusted.


I'm taking Monday off of work and plan to go into action on FINALLY setting up psychological intervention as well as other things I've been putting off to care for myself. Oh- and I'll call my neurologist (which, by the way, the ER doc said was the absolute BEST neurologist he's ever worked with), to see what new adventures await me.

My husband, bless his sweet soul, is now on high alert when we're in bed. The minute I get up to go to the bathroom, he's up too and walks me to wherever I need to go. He said that he's never going to let me go anywhere during the middle of the night without him. He's so sweet to me and I hate putting him through that.

I truly am considering a helmet.

[Sissy]

Lori - how awful! I hope this will not increase your PCS symtoms. Hope you will get better soon, do you know what causes the fainting? You might not be too comfortable sleeping with a helmet on, ha. But if it keeps you from banging your head it would be worth a try. Take care and get better!

[jeffn]

Hi Lori, sorry to read about your fall, one of the issue for those of us who suffer from TBI/PCS.

One of the things that helps me in regards to falling and the balance issue is I run a preventive management program in my head. When I leave the house I WEAR A IMAGERY PINK BIKE HELMET, Sissy says a 90-95 rating is good.

Theres alot of things I simply don't do right now. I don't wear my bi focals, I don't drive at night , I don't claim steeps steps I try not to get overly tried and I say NO NO NO alot to people who don't understand what I'm going through.

This may sound like I'm being over cautious in my life activities and to some degree I am, but I understand that I have a brain injury and that my brain is healing itself and not re injuring myself is very important in the healing process.

Prevention is one of the keys in the healing process.

Take Care Jeffn

[pono]

LORI...
no worry about that "resolution" --I'm worried about you.
such a big mean gash , and head bruising now --OMG--you hit hard!!
Do you know why you fainted?? perhaps we should get Helmets... can't affford any more head injurys. but you say also hurt neck, shoulder & arm/wrist??

I'm so sorry you're going thru all this pain, stress & anxiety. Also sorry to hear you too have been in dark hole... could be winter affecting but good you're going to be taking some time for you... to heal and get these interventions from psych & neurologist (great that you've been told he's the Best) Hope all resolves soon....

Glad to hear you've got that support & care from your Husband. Be thankful for that, not feeling bad about something he's doing from & w/ LOVE. I'm sure you'd reciprocate & be doing likewise if he was needing....
take care of yourself....and keep us updated ...

Blessings

[RisibleGirl]

Thank you for your kind replies. I was asked by every medical professional I dealt with on Friday night (Sat morning?) why I fait. I told thme that I've been doing this all of my life.

At least four people at the hospital told me I should tet a tilt test. I have low blood pressure normally and I can attribute most of the fainting episodes to htat. Other reasons:

I faint if I haven't eaten enough during the day
I fait if I'm dehydrated
I faint if I've been standing too long (used to faint as a little giral when my mom made me stand in the corner!)

I am SO blessed to have my sweetheart of a husband. He's been an angel to me and hasn't let me lift a finger the past two days. He's the sweetest man on the planet, as far as I'm concerned.

Tomorrow I'm calling my PCP and Neurologist. I'm also going to seek mental health help because I've been doing so horribly mentally the last two weeks.

I too, hope that thid doesn't make my PCS symptoms worse- but I feel that it has. Once I'm off the pain meds and muscle relaxants I'll have a better idea where I'm at and I'll let y'all know.

[Lucy]

Well, I go away for a week and what do you do - faint!. Just got back this afternoon. I do hope you are feeling better. I have lots to tell about the chiropracter that I have seen but can't do it until I have had a good nights sleep as I am rather had it. Please, please be careful Lori - hugs Lynlee

[RisibleGirl]

Good to see you here Lynlee. I was starting to worry about you. All of us were posting lots and lots and we all seem to have taken a breather (which is very healthy).

I'm so grateful for the people on this board and the information I've received.

Hugs,
Lori

[Lucy]

Do you think that you should stop working for a while - I can guess that it would be the last thing that you would want to do but I think you need to give yourself a total break/rest.

About 3 years after my my 2001 bangs to the head I was over tired and had got up during the night for the bath room and fainted - hit my head on the umbrella urn was knocked out when I came around was incapable of standing etc - ambulance was called - had to get the side of my eye/forehead stitched only got 5 stitches - was enough though!

After that I went off to an independent neuro/psychiatrist and he immediately reduced my working hours to 3 hours per day, I took his report to my GP and said this is it and he certified that I was only capable of the 3 hours so insurance is paying the balance of my salary and in all honesty I now accept and believe that this is all I can cope with - sure some days I feel like I can do more but I always end up suffering for it. Yes it is depressing and really hard to accept as I know that I was so good - did so much - was so capable and all the rest.

And I am still a firm believer that what you do in the early stages effects the outcome of your recovery.

Please think about this, I don't want you being like I am 6 years on

hugs Lynlee