returning from a traumatic brain injury

[jobob]

Hi loopybunny -

I was in a crash similar to yours, on the last Saturday in March two years ago - hey, that's right, I have an anniversary coming up! I was training for the Markleeville Death Ride at the time, with melissam, dachshund, and our esteemed coach maillotpois.

Here's a thread that described the crash & its immediate aftermath, according to MP, Mel, and Amy-- to this day I remember nothing about it! -- and assorted silliness mixed in with updates on my condition during that first month.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=30027

I had a vertebra compression fracture, so I had to wear a back brace for a few months, and I had a bit of nerve damage which gave me double vision for a few weeks. And I had some cognitive problems for a short time.

Here's my helmet, I still keep it out on our sideboard, with Emmaline nestled in it. It served me well!
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...7&postcount=14

I also wrote a lot in my blog about my recovery:
http://callmepokey.blogspot.com/2009...oing-well.html

I started riding a trainer again at the end of May:
http://callmepokey.blogspot.com/2009...m-sort-of.html

I was finally able to ditch my back brace in early July. So I went out for a short ride to celebrate!
http://callmepokey.blogspot.com/2009...-for-real.html

This was my 6 month update:
http://callmepokey.blogspot.com/2009...ago-today.html

So, it took a while, but I'm happy to tell you I completely recovered. Well, I still have the bump on my back, but it doesn't affect me in the least. The only lingering symptom I have is that my speech tends to slur easily when I'm tired, or after 1 beer. Oh well.

And, I rode the Death Ride this past summer. I wasn't as into it this time around, in large part because I was going through oodles of crap at work at the time, so I only rode half of it. Eh, it's better than the alternative.

I hope this helps.

The only advice I can give you is, try to be patient (easier said, I know!), and be kind to yourself.

{hugs}, - Jo.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Sorry to hear about your crash. Be gentle with yourself, expect up and downs on how you are feeling and do rest and keep on TE for support. I had a major crash (shoulder destroyed, thankfully not my head) almost 3 years ago and still working through things now.

A member of my cycle club had a major head injury. He was going down a steep descent and his jacket stuffed in his pocket came out and lodged in his back wheel. He fell off backwards on his bike (bike OK) and hit his head. Of course helmets are not really designed for backwards falls.

He spent 3 weeks in a head trauma clinic as he had short term memory loss (couldn't remmebr what happened during the day). However I must say- he was back riding after 4 months. He recovered for his head injury in 2 months. Considering he also broke ribs etc in this fall I think that was pretty amazing.

Another member fell while riding and we found him out cold in the ditch. His head injury affected one of his eyes- it refused to focus and gave him double vision. He started riding again after 6 months with an eye patch over that eye, but did lots of riding with a small group of people he knew because he couldn't see on his blind side and didn't want to crash again.

+1 for stoking on a tandem- that's what I have done. You can close your eyes and don't worry about things while your legs turn over. Also spin classes kept me sane while I was off the road.

And yes, the best people who know what you are going through are other riders. I would go out to my club on Sundays just to have a coffee and lunch with my friends and other riders because they understood and gave me all the love and support I needed. including answering my emails I typed at 2am in the morning when I couldn't sleep because of the pain, telling me to go to the doctor when I got very down and blue and lending me magazines, DVDs, telephone calls and taking me out for coffee. It's wonderful what the cycling community does to support the injured!

[crazycanuck]

A couple of links for you-

Another TE lady from many moons ago had a similar experience http://www.denisegoldberg.com/

An awesome local MTB gent was on the World Cup Downhill circuit a few years back & a jump went horribly wrong. He battled his way back & is now an awesome XC racer and has done numerous 12 & 24hr solo mtb events. http://www.ride-calendar.com/lineup/johnny.shtml

Take each day as they come. Remember to let your body heal and don't rush things.

[tulip]

You sound like me. I will send you a PM since I don't want to go into details here. Take care.

[OakLeaf]

((((((((loopybunny))))))))

No advice, just sincere wishes for a quick and complete recovery.

[Crankin]

Please be very careful in your recovery. TBI is a funny thing; you can feel fine, but you are not. Are you going to be working with specialists to assess you as you recover?
There are plenty of people here that have been through this, but I also recommend sending Denise Goldberg a note. I have ridden with her a bit (after her crash) and her recovery story is inspiring. She has a blog and a website.

[Miranda]

yep, another +1 on "been there, done that"...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=century+crash

Thank gawd for bike helmets, right?! (Which btw, Giro offers a 25% crash replacement discount when you call them and order directly.) Yikes (((hugs))) for you. So sorry this happened. "Club Crash" is not a fun one to be in. But, you are not alone.

Well, on the brain fog mine was a few weeks. But no where severe as your damage. Even tho the doc had cleared me att I just remember coming to the realization that I was "not all ok" in the head driving my kid to school... I was sitting at a stop light and didn't remember what I was suppose to do... uh, kinda scary.

Here's wishes for the best recovery possible.

[shootingstar]

Take care loopy. Visit us more often.

[sundial]

I just want to wish you a complete recovery and keep us posted on your progress.