A great programme James. You've had a similar but ultimately more tragic experience to me.
Did you receive Neuro help after discharge from hospital? I'm guessing you did because they treated you for the head injury. I didn't unfortunate so I'm playing catch-up after a 2 year period of finding out the hard way what the effects of executive dysfunction are.
Very interesting program indeed, your story is one of triumph over adversary and very different from my own but I am feeling more positive about my own situation now and look forward to years of slow but steady progress.
Firstly, I want to say I'm so sorry your wife did not make it!
I thought your presentation was excellent. It was so clear in the process of what happens to us when our brains are injured.
I had my TBI in January 2013, so am 2 years behind you. I came out of my coma 5 days after my fall, and I was apparently trying to talk to everyone. To start with, it was just a total slur, and nobody could understand me. My mum and sister had flown over, and I was told they were with me for 2weeks. I was out of hospital after 3 weeks, and went to my son and his wife. (Hospitals are outrageously expensive over there in South Africa)
I obviously had PTA, and I don't recall events until 2 months after my fall. I have the odd snippet of memory, but that is all. There are even photos of me down in the hospital cafe, with my 2 little dogs on my lap, and I was in a wheelchair.
Because my right side was partially paralyzed, and my voice so bad, I tried, with my left hand, to write the things down I was trying to say, and I have photos of all my scribbles. And that's what they actually were - meaningless scribbles!
Looking back on my recovery route so far, I have to be very thankful!
I now live in the UK, and have been managing alone for one year. I can walk my dogs, I can swim up to 1200m every week, play a bit of table tennis, and can be understood! I am also now a volunteer for Headway, and help with the Befriending groups.
It really gives me immense pleasure to help other TBI, or ABI people. I still get fatigued, and don't seem able to cope with planning and organizing. (I tried, and became very run down)
As I was born over here, I am entitled to Benefits, so for the first time in years, don't have to stress about money!
Thanks Nutkin. Keep battling on, sounds like you are finding a way to be all that you can, bloody hard knowing that it's less than you used to be. Sure people appreciate all that you do for them. Wishing you all the best for that journey!
just listened, what a fantastic programme, there needs to be many more like that because it is such a hidden injury, please do some more
very sorry to hear about your wife, your journey has been extra tough. You really sounded positive though
Im coming up to my 1 year anniversary of a fall down stairs, apparently I have a high IQ but struggle with memory and executive functioning, think a couple of my cogs in 'cog'nition aren't turning as they should
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.