My head injury

[Helene2013]

Sorry to read you had such a "stupid" accident. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery. Just don't rush into things. I know it is hard and we think all is fine and try to go too fast too often.

[Catrin]

Oh my, SO glad that you are coming out of it - scary stuff indeed! I am so glad that you don't live alone and have your partner to help out, thank care and keep us posted as you can.

[roo4]

Speedy recovery to you, shootingstar! Take care of yourself.

[ny biker]

Yikes. I'm so glad the injury was not more serious. Rest up, stay out of work as long as you can. I hope your recovery goes well.

[lauraelmore1033]

That is terrible, Shootingstar! Having someone crash into me and make me fall is one of my biggest fears. Very serious stuff. Rest up and heal soon!

[Blueberry]

So sorry to hear this, but glad to hear that you should make a full recovery!

DH has had 2 concussions, and I have cared for him with both. With both, he blacked out for a very short time, and then "woke up" but doesn't recall much. Minimizing screen time, tv, reading - anything that taxes the brain - is huge. He couldn't do that, and it took him much longer to recover. Sitting in a quiet room really is what you sort of have to do. Be gentle with yourself - things may feel weird and frustrating for quite a while - but it will get better. The other reason for not getting back on the bike immediately is something called second impact syndrome. Listen to your doc - it's not worth the risk. And, of course, replace that helmet!

It might also be worth asking your doc whether a fish oil (DHA) supplement would be appropriate. DH was strongly advised to take it (in large doses) based upon some research here (football injuries). It helped a lot.

[shootingstar]

Oh my, SO glad that you are coming out of it - scary stuff indeed! I am so glad that you don't live alone and have your partner to help out, thank care and keep us posted as you can.

Thx for the good vibes from everyone. Useful to hear other people's stories --not just for me but for others.
My partner is my witness to the accident scene and how I responded during the hospital testing (on 3 different time occasions).

I have a good friend in Calgary who is able to help me (and she knows about cycling), but I would like to reserve her help much later on when I am whole lot better.

Apparently it is not unusual for people with head injuries to never recall their accident at all. Yes, it is a kinda creepy feeling.

Blueberry, I'm the sort of person that can easily stare into space for several hrs. on airflights and not be entertained by tv/movie or music. Or sit for hrs. on a bus, train ride and stare out the window. Not read nor do any computer screen stuff. I don't own /use a cellphone so I haven't got into the habit to constantly busy myself with loose time. I entertain with my own thoughts or chill out.

Need to get off computer now.

[zoom-zoom]

EVERY person I know who has had a concussion has no memory of the moments before, during, or shortly after their accidents. For the first day or two after my MIL's concussion this Summer she would tell us the same story over and over. It was hard to impress upon her that she needed to not be up and around and trying to run errands or get right back on her bike. This seems pretty common with all of the cyclists I know who have had similar incidents.

Thankful you're OK and on the mend. I shudder to think what would happen to most of us if we didn't wear helmets!!

[lph]

Oh my ShootingStar! Best of wishes for a gentle healing. I can only second all the reminders to be careful.

I came off my bike just before Christmas, and sprained my wrist and got a couple of feisty bruises, and didn't realize until much later that I had hit the ground hard enough to put cracks in my helmet. And even that quite mild bump was enough that a week later, I tired easily and was happy to spend hours just staring into space. Heads are precious things. Good luck!

[emily_in_nc]

So sorry this happened to you! It's weird...I can remember every detail of my crash where I fractured my pelvis...kind of wish I couldn't! BUT, I didn't hit my head, or if I did, it was so light that it did no damage. My pelvis broke my fall (pardon the pun).

You've received some excellent advice here, and I have nothing to add except that it sucks that this happened to you, and I hope you'll heal up well. DO take time to recover and don't rush it.

[Bones8]

How scary! Wishing you the best...

[rocknrollgirl]

I crashed my mt bike in August and my face and shoulder took the hit. Luckily it was on packed dirt and not rocks. I whacked my head pretty good. Had a minor, very minor concussion and was wonky with headaches for a few weeks. Just really take it easy. And if you are reading these responses you are not taking it easy!!!!! It is a tough "take it easy" because most of us read or watch a movie when we are sidelined, but you need to let your brain rest.

I hope you feel better soon.

[PamNY]

Shootingstar, I'm so sorry this happened. Heal up fast!

[AppleTree]

How are you doing shootingstar? Hope your recovery is progressing well and you are feeling back to your normal self soon. Just wondering how it was going along for you...

[shootingstar]

I am better apple each day. Today went for a short 15 min. walk in abit of snow with dearie for lst time since accident on New Year's Day. Had a coffee and then walked home. Went to bed.

I am fed information so far from sister who is an emergency medicine doctor past decade and she deals with head injuries quite often. Her warning: if you've had multiple concussions over the years, be warned it is cumulative damage to the brain.

This is why football player may ie. suddenly die because the person may have already sustained several head injuries recently over different times in past few years.

I feel incredibly lucky..that my vision, speech, etc. was not affected.