returning from a traumatic brain injury

[zoom-zoom]

Loopy, so glad that you're well enough to have (flawlessly) typed all that on your phone (I couldn't ever do that on a good day! ). I'm sorry you experienced this. I hope your recovery goes better than expected and that you can be back on your bike soon.

[Roadtrip]

+1 on the well wishes and speedy recovery. That's some scary stuff and so glad the helmet did it's job!! We all enjoy going fast and often forget how easily it can go wrong.

Thanks for posting and hope you're feeling better soon!!

Shannon

[Veronica]

Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Veronica

[loopybunny]

Thank you so much for all of the well wishes and information. It'll take me a while to go through all of it.

I'm happy to report that this morning I made my own breakfast (toast with peanut butter) and even rinsed the dishes then put them in the dishwasher. I also brushed my own hair after a shower. I figure all of this is a good indication of my increasing independence. Not close to driving yet, which means my mom is driving me to a doctors appointment today (unrelated to accident), but I'm hopeful I'll be okay to drive in another week or so.

I have a follow up phone appointment with my primary care physician on Monday as well as an appointment to have the staples removed (one is missing... probably pulled out from trying to brush out my hair). I start physical therapy on the 18th.

My friend sent some photos of my damaged bike and I have a few of the helmet. I'm posting a link instead of posting directly here because the helmet ones are a bit disturbing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4952147...7626119602777/

[snapdragen]

Your helmet gave it's life for you - a good thing! Take care of yourself, and like jobob sez - be patient. Best wishes to you.

[jessmarimba]

You sound like you're making good progress! I've never had a head injury (thank goodness) so I can't really give advice, but if you listen to your body you'll be back and good as new when you're ready.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Desert Tortoise]

So sorry, I hope you recover soon. Take care and let us know how you are coming along.

[nolemom]

A friend had a brain bleed that required emergency surgery but he was able to be back on the bike in a little over 2 months. Took it very easy at first and still has some issues of neck strain and headaches from the scar tissue over the plate, but he is has returned to the same level of riding.

[SpeedyChix]

I'm looking for stories from other cyclists regarding how long it took them before they were back on the bike.

Go by how your feel. But biggest mistake I made was failing to rest, rest some more and oh, by the way .... rest. Seriously sleep is critical. Might be good to inquire if the docs feel it's wise to do a follow-up scan on the bleeding too.

You'll know when you're ready to go. But start inside on a trainer. Bumps / jarring hurt. If you find you're getting tired, grumpy, have trouble typing, speaking, seeing, etc. It's still messing with you. Some of the aftereffects from a concussion can last a long time.

Once you do decide to go outside to ride, have company, go very easy. Again, if your head hurts, head back home and stick to non-jarring activities.

To a speedy recovery.

[bcipam]

Funny I and my two riding buddies all had traumatic brain injuries. Mine was the least of the 3 (we all had car v. bike accidents). My one friend is now on life long anti-seizure medication. My other has some physical limitations. All 3of us have the same quirky, weird injury in that when we type, words get messed up. Not typos, just weird word order for instance I might type for "I need to stop by the store and pick up milk" "I guy need to want by the store and see up milk". The words are all spelled correctly but make no sense in terms of context. I don't speak that way; I just type that way.

I have to re-read emails and letters a number of times to catch all the weird mistakes. It's tough because words aren't spelled wrong so spell checker doesn't help. Grammar checker will catch it sometimes.

When we send emails back and forth, and the weird words are there, we understand and figure out what the other was trying to say but sometimes my emails come back with the note "please interpret Pamspeak"...

A head injury is scary. It helps to go through cognitive redevelopment and do mind games and puzzles. And with time, things get better although this little quirk for me is permanent. It is actually getting worse as I get older. That's frightening!

[ladyicon]

Geeez, put a lump in my throat. God speed on your recovery.

[linzq]

Huge hugs and good wishes for a speedy recovery.

[redrhodie]

What an awful crash! Give yourself time to heal. I hope you feel better soon!

[bluejellybean]

(((loopybunny)))
Here's to a speedy recovery...take care and take time to heal, as hard as that will be.

[azfiddle]

Another well wish for you - no advice or experience but hope you are able to recover completely.