Brain Injury Support Group

Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.

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ElanieLanie 01/20/2011

Hi,

I'm about to hit the 1 year mark soon. For those who have been through it, can you share any thoughts or advice? Anything that was helpful? Anything you would have done differently?

I was thinking I would be ok with that 1-year marker. I know, intellectually, from talking with people here and elsewhere that TBI recovery is measured in years. However, I think on an emotional level, I wanted to be that exception - the person who pretty much recovered in 1 year. (Yes, yes, I do realize how unrealistic that is on some level, but there's this part of me that just wants to move on!)

This past week some things have come up. I had my 1-year-post-Neuropsych testing and, of course, I still have some serious deficits. That, coupled with an insurance issue I may have shortly, is just a reminder that I'm not ok.

I look forward to your insights and wisdom...

deleted_user 01/20/2011

You are doing great! (((((((hugs)))))))) Like nsm said you cant hold on to the person you were but make this a fun adventure to find out the person u have become. One year is awesome. it only gets better and better. looking back the one year mark I was still healing. dont be hard on yourself. Be forgiving and understanding. My big changes i noticed were at the 3 year mark. where only I noticed I have a TBI not the rest of the world. You are awesome and doing great!! Hang in there and I look forward to seeing you improve. you can do it!

ElanieLanie 01/20/2011

Thank you both. Very good & wise advice!

I do need to accept where I'm at, so that is something for me to work on. I have some specific things I need to accept and not pretend that things are the same.

Nsm - your new photo looks great! :) Did you just become a brunette?

Tattudegirl - thanks for your encouragement!

deleted_user 01/20/2011

Celebrate...living! You are a survivor. Reba can sing it...we live it ;-)
I remember my first year well...I was wondering what the --- I forgot to be grateful to be alive. You've seen improvements already...there is more coming...remember TBI is the recovery that takes a long long time. It's really only the begining.

deleted_user 01/21/2011

Hey I can tell you exactly what I did and see what you think. I was far from better and still awaiting one more operation to go. On my one year aniversary date I just did things as normal and went out shopping. Actually I can't remember exactly what I did but thats because I didn't make it a special day. I didn't want it to become a black day or a day to be marked in some way. You are doing great and just remmeber that. If you mark the day it will be a day every year you stop and think about it and thats ok to do anytime but I think we all have to try to get past it. It may be something we have to live with but it doen't have to control our lives

deleted_user 01/21/2011

I saw dramatic increases in ability in my second year. Each month I feel I am getting better and better, though that has slowed as I approach the three year mark. I really pushed myself mentally, as I have mentioned earlier, partly because I had to financially and partly because I needed to personally. I feel I am reaping the rewards of those efforts now.

deleted_user 01/21/2011

My 5 year recovery mark will be Monday. Everything changes for the better, but it seems like it takes FOREVER! What's helpful for me is walking w/ a walker, eventually you can get rid of the wheelchair. There is alot of obstacles i.e. swallowing food/water, memory, etc. Everything gets better SLOWLY BUT SURELY. GOOD LUCK!

ElanieLanie 01/21/2011

Thank you so much for your replies!

Sporty - you make me laugh - Reba is awesome!

Nathogan - you are spot on! I was thinking along similar lines - I don't want it to forever be this BAD day. So, I can tell you one thing for sure - this may sound superstitious but I am NOT going to be on the freeway at that same time. Because, if something should happen then it would be this BIG deal always.

I think hubby & I will go watch a movie. I can't think of what else to do really, but I'm going to try to come up with something fun that also is within my ability to do.

Thanks Javascout for your insights - I think that we often do what we need to do - it's amazing what necessity will make us do!

Meagan - Happy 5 years of survival to you! I hope that you have a wonderful day on Monday.

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