returning from a traumatic brain injury

[OakLeaf]

If it's on that regular of a schedule, I wonder if you just aren't pushing too hard, and getting symptomatic when you start getting tired.

Take care of yourself. Glad you're making progress. ((((((loopybunny))))))

[smilingcat]

There is nothing you can do except to be patient. It takes time to heal to a point where you feel normal. You can't rush the healing process and do rest a lot.

I do remember reading about Saul Raisin. For consolation prize he now can speak French like a native speaker.

After a major major head injury, for which several of us have experienced, we have to find some silver lining in the whole thing. In a year or two, you will adjust just fine and life will not be better or worse. Really! Best way to deal is to be flexible in your thinking, your way of looking at life and world. I wouldn't worry too much at 3 week point.

Heck I didn't have any short term memory for a week or more. And not so sure how much sheet time I did after the last accident. To this day, I really don't know how long I was in the hospital. Maybe my partner told me after I came home but it wasn't till winter time that I have any memory... In between, just seem to have disappeared into thin air/fog.

Think positive, look on the bright side and keep telling yourself today is better than yesterday. Having positive thinking really helps with healing/recovery.

As for CA driver license, I eneded having getting two extentions before I finally got my new one. First photo was bad. Second one, the camera operator said, I need to open my eyes. I'm no round eye being Asian, so I forced myself to really open my eyes wide open. Now I have this zombie look on my license.

I don't have my OR driver license yet, as I'm still going back and forth... Rain in Portland, pouring buckets in Southern California. Bummer... Can't get away.

Your photo will look ten times better than mine. And oh, when you go in, you don't have to retake the eye exam if you went through on the first round.

Wish you the best,

[mariacycle]

(((loopybunny)))

Get back on when it feels right but makes sure you're riding with friends that are watching you. Have you been back to any doctors since being referred to a neurologist? I'm sorry to hear that the first doctors/nurses weren't up to par, I hope that you find the right team to take care of you. Keep us updated, we're all praying for your recovery!

[loopybunny]

No updates from doctors. Don't think I'll be hearing from them unless I contact them to talk about problems. Right now, I'm being patient.

Something cool happened yesterday though. I met Scott Nydam of BMC. I have a new perspective on my life and injuries.

First of all, what I'm going through is nowhere near what Scott has gone through. He's living a completely productive and rewarding life despite his career ending injuries.

Second, hearing Scott's stories from his time working with Team Rwanda really made me realize that while I'm recovering from a pretty big accident, it's nothing that what some of the guys on the team have been through.

Nothing like a little perspective to make my life feeling awesome.

I also learned from some friends that they've noticed that I've shown improvement in my clarity when speaking and writing. This makes me happy.

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi loopybunny

You poor thing, nope fortunately never had any TBI but then again I suppose I would have to have a brain to start with.

I so wish you well and a speedy recovery, like many others have said, don't rush and rest is so very important.

It is still early days, so just one day at a time.

Take care and hugs from across the pond.

[eofelis]

I hope you are doing well in your recovery.

My SO had a crash last summer. We were doing a night ride (headlights, etc) in a rural area when a huge raccoon ran out of a ditch right into the back wheel of his bike. It knocked the bike right out from underneath him. He was going about 12mph. He went straight down and hit his head (helmeted) on the white line or gravel. He was out for just a few minutes. Ambulance ride to ER, etc. Grade 3 concussion and small brain hemmorage (sp?). Nothing broken, big bruises on hip and shoulder.

The first week he mostly slept. It was July and the heat really got to him. He didn't have any headaches or vision problems. He doesn't remember much of the accident. He didn't drive much for the first month and it was a couple of months til he was riding regularly. Between then and now he has made steady progress. He says he thinks he forgets some things (but he has no problem remembering trig identities!). He is mostly affected by fatigue, but that has been getting better.

Doctors he has seen told him 6 mos to 1 yr for full recovery.