returning from a traumatic brain injury

[loopybunny]

I think it's safe to say that last Friday was the worst day of my life. I crashed my bike while on a group ride going between 25-30 mph when, according to witnesses, another cyclist pulled in front of me. I was out cold for 15-20 min and in and out of consciousness for a couple of hours.

After a couple of CT scans, an MRI, and some x-rays, doctors determined that I had a grade 3 concussion with a some minor bleeding on the brain. No broken bones and skin completely in tact (seriously, no road rash, just bruising). My Giro Ionos saved my life.

I spent a couple of days in two different hospitals and saw about 15 different doctors. I was told that it could take me 3 weeks to a year before I feel back to normal.

Only one nurse had any personal experience recovering from a severe head injury. I'm looking for stories from other cyclists regarding how long it took them before they were back on the bike.

Of course, this may all be moot if I find out my bike is totaled. Still waiting for the verdict regarding a dent in the top tube.

I also want to point out how awesome the cycling community has been during my ordeal. I've gotten get well wishes from people all over the world including a few pro cyclists and ex pros. I've even had offers for bike parts and replacement clothing!

(Please note that this is being typed on my iPhone because I can't sit up long enough at the computer. I apologize for any typing errors.)

[Biciclista]

goodness, I am sorry to hear this. A friend of ours had a head injury and saw double for over a year. She's out riding normally now, but for a while she could only ride on the back of a tandem.

[NbyNW]

Wow, I'm glad you're well enough to let us know how you are doing!

I don't have experience with this type of injury, but I wish you a smooth recovery. Be good to yourself.

[maillotpois]

Wow - what an ordeal. I am so glad you are ok enough to write this post. Please take care of yourself. Don't expect too much too soon. Heal. Big hug to you.

[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.

[indysteel]

What an ordeal! I don't have any personal experience with TBI, so I'll leave it to the ladies who unfortunately do have such experience to give you advice. But I do wish you a speedy recovery. Heal well and keep us posted. Take good care of yourself.

[spokewench]

Loopy - Wishing the best in your recovery! I have no personal experience, but have seen others with concussions like yours; some are fine very quickly, most take a few months and sometimes longer. It is really dependent on the person and severity of concussion. Just hang in there knowing that it will get better.

Hoping the best for you.

spoke