29 years

[Jaec]

29 years ago I had my TBI and I am still going. Not sure how I feel though. Mixed emotions and no one really to talk about them to

[Hidden]

29 years and still here. Feel proud. I`m a BI newbie compared to you, mine was a mere 14 years ago and I have the run the gamut of emotions, as we all do. Why me? So unfair? Why have I lost my job/friends/marriage/money/memory? Then you hopefully reach a plateau of acceptance that you are probably not going to change much anymore so its a case of getting on with it, avoiding the triggers (Loud kids, yuk) and coming to terms with the new you. Then just try to find the positives and make some happiness for yourself. Its hard, but you know that and I hope something lovely is round the corner. See if you have a Headway group near you and jump back into life with both feet. Our lives are hard won and we all deserve a bit of joy Xx

[grahamm in reply to Hidden]

I totally agree! I had my ABI 20 years ago and for a long time I struggled with misunderstanding, leading to all problems that abi1 writes about (minus the memory probs). The main reason for this was the absence of any rehab, support of information available back then - and, if I didn't get any, I'd be surprised if you did! But once I'd found out about Headway I found others in the same situation as myself, made use of the free information they provide and was able to make sense of what had happened me and what I was faced with. If you haven't already done so I strongly recommend finding out about your local Headway group.

[Steve49]

Well done !!!

I'm 17yrs so I still have some catching up to do My little "monster" (AVM) was still "Alive & Kicking" until recently. It is still reaching havoc to this day.

I had returned to full time employment & driving. But the little "monster" (AVM) soon put paIid to that, so I had to take early retirement & stop driving.

Anyway i have to make the most of what I have got & keep positive & strong.

Sorry for waffling.

Steve.

[SLWS]

I was 10 when I was struck by a car while crossing a highway and I was in a coma and not expected to live.

Even when I awoke the doctors told my parents I'd never be independent however thankfully that's not the case.

I know exactly what situation you are in. I was 27 when I was pregnant with my second child. I had many complications with my first and developed eclampsia had emergency c section she was in the NICU and my health suffered some but the second pregnancy everything changed.

I sit here today at 39 and as I reflect upon my last 13 years of trying to understand and cope with my right frontal lobe injury and really horrible experiences trying to get doctors to help and believe me, and being informed that my pregnancies brought on my TBI complications and they cannot really explain it but neurological damage is complicated and brings forth issues that were dormant.

I'm left with so many questions and health issues which doctors can't explain and therefore tell me it's not fixable or is because if my injury and not addressed further.

There is nothing worse than feeling like we are broken and there is no place to turn.

Just know you aren't alone and I only discovered this page this moment but I too hope we are able to find others who can relate to our situation.

[Jaec in reply to SLWS]

Thank you for that. I have never really found anyone who had had a similar experience. I feel I have done better than I might have but only those closest realise the ongoing everyday problems and they need a break sometimes.

How are you now? How do you cope with everything?

[SLWS in reply to Jaec]

Well I have not had goid luck with doctors helping me to understand my injury and the specialists I had have all moved on from this hospital because of the impossible struggle with the GP's and the corporate level allowing misconduct.

It became impossible for good doctors to stay.

I do have a Psychiatrist I seeand trust and he's got me on medication that seems to help.

Effexor, Wellbutrin, Aderall, Klonopin, Ambien and I see him every 3 months for a med check.

He knows I have brain issues and he also knows the horrible doctors I've had in fact if not for him being the only specialist who is still there and has been my doctor since the beginning of my 2005 problems, I'd have convinced myself that o was as the other doctors claimed "MAKING IT UP FOR ATTENTION"

I've thought I was literally in need of antipsychotic meds because I was aware I was crazy.

So many things happen at once and trying to comprehend how our brain can act irrationally yet allow us the comprehension of this irratic behavior, allleibg is the realization it's not right, but refuse us the ability to make sense is the worst.

I am now on disability and I'm not going to pretend I am at peace with my issues but I try to talk it out amongst myself.

It may sound weird but I find that taking my short comings and relate them to how I'm currently being affected and weighing them out is a very big relief.

Many people with out injuries think unlike most people and have a black and white appeal.

I find it hard to understand how many people can not understand their ignorance.

I think on literal terms and have no problem admitting my errors. I also have a difficult time understanding how others can't see how and why their decisions ended the way they did and see no issues.

I'll correct people when they are just plain wrong and give the facts of the reality.

I'll give an honest opinion and not understand how I'm supposed to know which times I'm supposed to "NOT be truthful"

I don't get sarcasm and no matter how I try I cannot communicate sarcasm.

I cannot tell a joke properly to save my life. I am thoroughl in my details, I analyze everything, I've a dry sense of humor, I'm honest to a fault, I take people at face value, very poor at judgments calls, short term memory loss, but when I remember I remember completely.

My feelings and thoughts are obvious. I cannot lie or even exaggerate and be successful.

I am upfront and find that others have a problem understanding why I point out the obvious or the errors of their ways. I don't mean to imply that I'm a know it all and then aren't, but when someone complains about another or anything in general and they are guilty of the very same yet are unwilling to acknowledge...that's where the problem begins.

I deal with these and other real life issues my brain operates with everyday and those who know me understand and I rely on their support, but when I try to manage it myself I end up finding self therapeutic counseling works best.

Regardless of how much I realize I'm not the typical person I'm often grateful for what is considered by most

SHORTCOMINGS

because I end up realizing I'm thankful for them because did the most part I don't believe is be happy if I were like most.

If you'd like to give me a little more information on the issues you have to deal with because if your injury I may be able to relate a little more and I'd try if I can because I understand your need to know others care and want to help.