Hugs Pogo, I'm so sorry for what happened to you, but I'm glad you found us. The information your doctor gave you must have been really hard to hear, BUT every single brain injury is different, so predicting is very hard, they still don't know enough about the brain!! I have not had a scan for over 10 years, never in a coma, but I lost the ability to read/process words...could not write them down...for years...my eyes and brain could not communicate, my memory was crap...I'm now over 60 and my memory is much better now/I can use a computer again...at the age I am!!??!! I still take anti-seizure meds/but thru brain games/brain exercises I rebuilt new memory pathways....so I want to give you Hope!!!

This is very scary, frustrating stuff you are going thru...angry..yeah, been there too. Feel free to vent and rant away here, we understand here because we live it each day.....you are among friends, we share with each other to find new coping tools, ask questions, it helps to be around those who "get it". Reading past threads helped me because I saw people dealing with the same issues I was!! We care about you! Blessings, cheesecake

My experience was different than yours Cheesecake. At the beginning after I came out of my coma, I don't remember one thing. I remember after that though how my first symptoms were never ending headaches. I went to a headache clinic and had some success there at breaking them up. Now maybe I'll get 1 to 5 headaches a week that can be calmed with Alieve. I did have small seizures too. The medication my doctor gave me seems to have cured them, it's been a long time since I came down with one. My memory is somewhere around average at best. I do have lots of trouble though at comprehending instructions. For example I just took an election judge class and most of what they taught me there didn't stick in my head. The only reason I passed the test is because their system isn't thorough at all. My depression problems are still killing me though. I'm living with this brain injury and no colon which gets on my nerves. I really have no will to exist anymore.

Pogo,

I am sorry that you had to hear such news. I think it's perfectly natural to feel angry and afraid. Doctors are certainly useful, but don't let them tell you your future - they're not psychics (not even close!) Take this news in stride and focus on how you're going to be happy. We weren't meant to know the future.. we only get to make the best of what we're given.

Everything cheesecake said is so true.. the people on this website are lovely and so helpful. We truly care about you, and I think you can find a way to be happy regardless of your situation. Hope is sooo important!

I suggest you spend time making yourself happy every day. Focus on the now, not the future. And, consider trying art (drawing, painting, sculpting, crochet...) Art helped me in ways I cannot even describe. It's a great outlet for feelings (especially the angry and afraid ones) ;)

I wish you all the best of luck! You can handle this.

-Moni Lynn xoxo

Moni Lynn said it best. You must focus on The Moment at hand. Instead of listing your losses focus on the strengths you still have. Look for and engage in the things that make you happy. It sounds impossible but you must give up the way it used to be and focus on adapting to the way it is now.

Above all...don't worry so much about the future. It will unfold and things won't be as bleak as you are projecting. And being angry and afraid limits you...hurts you.

I did some research on the subject and found some things that I can do. The physical situation is that there is not enough blood flow to that side of my brain. The constant seizures are damaging it more. More physical exercise and some vitamins may be able to help get the blood flow going again. I have looked into a buddy dog. The Mason's in my area are going to hold a fundraiser to raise money to train my blue heeler to be my buddy dog. I may not need one for many years, at least I hope not, but there is no since in waiting until the last minute. I am going to fight this with everything that I have in me. I have a great husband and wonderful family that is always there for me. Things will be fine The Lord has His plans and He laughs when we make out own. lol Thanks for all of the support.

Hi Pogo, I've been meaning to write, but there was a sudden emergency in our family. Everyone has said such wonderful things and given you excellent advice. I just wanted you to know you're not alone in what you're experiencing.

I've had 3 tbis, and due to the traumas , my right frontal lobe is atrophying ( shrinking). I already have had brain surgery and a good portion of the right side of my brain is now in a jar on my neurosurgeon's bookcase. So before the atrophy was discovered, I had lost a portion of my brain.

During a neuropsyc exam the doctor suggested that I have an mri due to some of the verbal responses I gave. That's when they discovered the atrophy. My doctor told me that the shrinkage would continue over time, and it would mainly involve my executive functions: organizing things, organizing thoughts ; and would affect impulse control. When I asked what that meant, she said "You'll say things that the average person would think too personal to share".

This diagnosis was 20 years ago. I don't really see a lot of change. I know I stop and think before saying anything because I don't want to share inappropriate things. I also take Ritalin which helps with focus and the ability to get things done in an orderly way. ( My GP was concerned with high blood pressure. When I asked about the Ritalin causing this , she said "You're not going off that. It's improved your quality of life").

As someone suggested, you can find new strengths and offer them to other people. Since my atrophy diagnosis, I have worked with the elderly, done TV reading for the visually impaired , and other different things. I've discovered my passion is for the English language and am now teaching writing and English comprehension to foreign students at the local university.

Your life is far from over . I"m sure you're scared, but if the diagnosis is anything like mine, you won't be drooling in a few years.One thing that I really took to heart was something a college professor said : "Find out what you like to do and what you do well. Then find some dark corner of your world and brighten it with your gifts and light". God bless. -H.