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.
What do you miss most about the pre-brain-injury you?
And, in order not to make this a too depressing thread, is there something good that has come out of either your treatments or your recovery?
And, in order not to make this a too depressing thread, is there something good that has come out of either your treatments or your recovery?
What I find has been a positive is that I have found that I know myself much better than I did before all this happened. I am much stronger than I ever thought I was, and I have met some of the most amazing people ever since as well.
What I found as a good thing is the recovery. Every step in the right direction makes me feel so good about myself.
RaeFx I had complete memory loss after my surgery. I had to relearn to read and write and everything. You can do it. Maybe try writing a short summary of what you read and read that before you pick up the book again. That helped me for a while.
The good things that came out of my treatments and recovery were:
a. I was put on vitamin B6 and that cleared up some minor nerve pain I had been having in my hand.
b. Therapy for the trauma helped clean up some self-esteem issues I had.
c. I was going at breakneck speed prior to my injury. I realize now that I was overdoing it - even without having a TBI. Hopefully I can incorporate what I've learned into moving forward into the next phase of my life.
I also getting the joke. Sometimes I do but so often I just don't get it and it leads to plenty of awkward moments but I have learned to laugh at this too.
On the plus side I have so much more empathy for anyone going through a hard time now. I do think I am a nicer person in many ways. Thats not a bad thing and to be honest although if I could I would take away the accident and everything it did to me but I do like who I am now and that's a good thing
I have always had compassion for others, but have gained so much more and acceptance and patience with others and myself. Been so independent like the rest of you before, that has been a hard lesson to learn, and still working on it as will never stop trying to do things for myself. Balance meant when hanging washing on outside line I hung onto line with one hand at all times, and could peg and hold ok. But for some reason the weight is just falling off me, and its hard holding up a pr of shorts as you try to hang wash and balance. Shorts went in bin when I went inside. neighbour has since said they are selling soon, wondering if there is a connection? Bought smaller size shorts since as very hot here right now.
Slight nitpick in that I consider myself the same person before & after, but I get what you're saying.
I miss not being in pain (1.5 years is a long time for me, though the pain is less, and has moved to the roof of my mouth).
And I miss not having to be super-cautious about movement so as not to get hurt. I'm 38, but act about 60 a lot of the time.
Good thing might be that my caution may have saved my life in the past 1.5 yrs. due to not going out as much, and avoiding possible danger. But that's a hard call.
I miss being able to do anything I wanted without limitations...whether it was physical or mental. I could do a great deal more than I can today.
I have a great many things I could list as positives...the first being I am alive!
However I would have to pick the determination I discovered I had all along. It was strong in the beginning but, has been continually getting stronger and has helped me overcome many of the issues I faced.
RaeFx, Nat & Aust: re - reading - that seems to be a HUGE one for most of us, doesn't it? After my TBI, when I realized I couldn't read or write properly, it threw me into a highly anxious state. Reading & writing are so much a part of just about any job.
I love the strength part that Rae & Sporty wrote about. Both of you are amazing in what you have accomplished post-TBI.
Nat & Aust - I know what both of you mean about the compassion and empathy we've developed. While I was kind to others pre-TBI, I have to say that there's a depth of compassion I have now towards others who are suffering major things, that wasn't there before. I suppose it's a knowledge, an understanding, of what true, long-lasting suffering is.
Thank you - great sharing!
On the positive side i am so gratefull for my accident because before it i was going 90 mph down the wrong road. It gave me a new perspective and empathy. i got insanely closer to my family all for the better. im happy with my life now even though theres always faults and let downs.
I never realized how much I used those senses.
I have a mental menu growing in my head listing all the food I'm having with my Dad when I get there = )
I think we'd all like to trade with someone here for a day or so. But you know what? Each change is a change. Every pain is a new pain.
We overcame so much and worked so hard to be alive, we're survivors and we won't quit. We have each other. Always Always.
peace&wishes kim
I really appreciate and understand what others with disabilities were going through, I had no idea.
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I miss my great vision, balance and coordination, and my memory, oh.... :( and so much more. What I miss the most was my ability to be able to just go with the flow, and let about anything roll off my chest. Life seemed so much simpler before. I guess I never really thought too deeply about much. Now I think deeply about everything. My emotions seem to be what is suffering the most at the moment. Even though that does seem to be improving with time. It just takes so damn long for anything to show any change anymore. It's been 6 long years for me.
What I appreciate now, what I gained from all of this. :) I gained a huge appreciation for Life. Though threw many tough times, I trully wake each morning and thank god I'm alive. Realizing it could have gone wrong so many different times in my life. A HUGE appreciation now for that!!
Also, I feel trully blessed to now be creative. :) It's a wonderful finding to now have this ability to have a creative vision. Almost artistic I would say. I plan to start painting soon. That is something I had absolutely no interest in before my TBI.
Great topic Elanie! Thanks for sharing. :)
Apart from that I just miss being comfortable in my own skin. Everything seems raw now, like everything is full of sharp edges and spiky bits. I havent seen hardly anyone outside for work for months and months, and its hard to just walk to the store or go to the park. I live in one of the very nicest parts of a vibrant city and I can barely bring myself to leave my apartment. I guess what I really miss most are my friends and my life.
Im not nearly as far separated from my injury as many of you are at this point, and seeing what youve written about how youve dealt with and worked through many the challenges youve faced over time has both given me some very good perspective and been greatly comforting, but damn I still feel pretty far out to sea.