Quote Originally Posted by loopybunny View Post
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.
I'm so sorry to hear about your wreck.

I wrecked on October 12, 2010 on an evening group ride. The last thing I remember was seeing a set of fountains at a particular park. Everything is pretty hazy for the next 7 days--I only remember flashes. Anyway, I fractured my skull (and got a lovely laceration, now scar, on my right temple) and had a subarachnoid hemhorrage (bleed on the brain). I spent 3 days in the ICU in an induced coma.

After effects: The first week home I was just a bum. I had massive headaches and vertigo. I was drugged up on pain pills and slept most of the time. I went back to work part time after 2.5 weeks. It took me 1 month before I could drive. It was probably mid-December before the daily headaches reduced to a few a week. I had some concentration and memory issues, but nothing severe.

I've been in a research study for TBI at the local research hospital. They've said that for the severity of the crash and damage that I'm very lucky how quickly I've recovered. I'll chalk it up to being a hardheaded *****.

I went for my first ride on New Years Day. It was only a short loop around the high school campus by my house, but it gave me the confidence that I could do it. (I did spend a good amount of time on the trainer before then).

Since then, I've done 8 rides of increasing length/intensity. One of which my hubby organized as a welcome back group ride with all my friends (many of whom were present at my wreck). The cycling community has been great. Many folks were there in the hospital checking in on my husband and me, and coming to check on me after I got home.

It's been a long road, but I do feel like I'm finally recovered. I have sworn off night rides. I don't remember the wreck, but I know that railroad tracks were involved. I don't see all that well at night anyway, and it's just not worth the risk anymore. I'm replacing my winter night rides with spin class and running.

I hope you recover well. Just be patient with yourself.