A tale of hope!

[amvamp]

Hi Everyone

I have joined this forum to offer any tips that I have picked up, or any help, to people in a similar boat to me. Very briefly, here is my story:

I was hit by a car at 42mph as I crossed a road in November 2012. I bounced off the windscreen, and suffered a fractured pelvis, fractured skull, subdural haematoma, sub arachnoid haemorrhage, and contusions to the brain. I was in neuro ICU for 3 days, and in hospital for just over 3 weeks. I left hospital not really understanding what had happened, or the long term impact this would have.

I returned to work about 8 months later. This was probably a bit too soon, but I think that I just wanted my life to get back to 'normal', and I have always loved my job. 2 and a half years later, I feel I have been incredibly lucky with my recovery, maybe due partly to my stubborn nature. Along the way, I have suffered PTSD and anxiety; my memory has massively improved, and I am left with fatigue (I call it 'brain fog'). I work 30 hours a week as work would not reduce it any more, and I am managing by having a 'rest day' once a week where I lay in bed, keep distractions to a minimum, and recharge my battery enough to be able to do stuff on the other 2 days off.

It's not been easy, and harder on my husband I think. Some things about me are different, some the same. But my life is carrying on, I see the beauty in everything where I used to just think 'work, work, work', and my confidence is steadily growing. So it takes longer than I thought it would (I thought brains were like bones, 6 weeks and they heal!!) but there is something positive eventually. I would like to offer a hug to anyone who is managing with a head injury, and to their family. I found it to be an 'invisible illness' that no one understands, unless you have been through it yourself.

[Hidden]

Hi and yes, a lot of what you say will ring bells with many of us. It is without doubt an invisible disability, not taken anywhere near as seriously as it should be. Many of us find enhanced joys in beauty and small things, most of us get fatigued but not all of us can carry on as before, and so fast, well done you. There are many broken marriages and lost jobs thanks to BI. I hope your recovery keeps going well and good luck

[Gaia_rising]

Welcome aboard- your flip over the bonnet of the car sounds like mine, but I was only 10 years old, so the initial impact broke my right femur as well as fracturing my pelvis. (Being of a height where a car bumper would hit my femur.) I don't know if there were any associated head-troubles back then, but the back of my skull was fractured, where I'd come down into the road.

My latest brush with brain injury, and what brought me here, was a ruptured aneurysm, and subsequent subarachnoid haemorrhage at the end of February this year. All of the people I've interacted with on here have been brilliant, it's a proper community. We all have different issues, and different coping strategies, but the community spirit, and the desire to help each other is fantastic.

[malalatete]

There are so many 'invisible' illnesses but brain conditions figure prominently among them. One of the positive things is that conditions and injuries which affect the brain, whilst they affect each of us as individually as our own catastrophe and DNA would determine, also create a common denominator of experience which we make best use of by sharing. So welcome here amvamp: your thoughts, views and experience will be welcome and may from time to time strike a chord, ring bells or sound the alarm with another visitor to our motley crew. Which is the best all of us can hope for our misadventures.

[lloydyuk]

That's a great attitude to have so positive and I'm liking the 'stubborn' comment. I think it's the only way to live and I mean live not exist. People think this bizarre but I'm actually glad I suffered what I did it allowed the reset and start again button to be pushed and put the mess id become behind me. I've realised for me it's been a case of learning everything all over again in an adult body rather than a child's. I've met some amazing people on my journey and have a completely new perspective and zest for life. There's something positive every day we each have to find it. I have always felt everything happens for a reason.

[BaronC]

Hello and welcome along to the site! Good to see you, you'll fit right in. Have a biscuit, cup of tea?

Baron/Andy

[Nutkin33]

Yes. I think you have done very well. After my accident in January 2013, I never felt tired until November last year, when everything suddenly caught up with me! I have tried voluntary work, and have had to really cut back on my efforts due to brain fatigue! So frustrating! Now I am going much more slowly, and if I take another 8 years to recover, then done it!

Good luck and all the best with your journey!

😋😉

[amvamp]

Thanks so much everyone for making me feel so welcome, and sharing your stories.

Nutkin 33 - it will get easier eventually, best of luck - the annoying thing about fatigue is that it makes you listen to what your brain (and so your body) needs, but it does improve over time. It feels like it never will, and that you are stuck, but things will lift Big hug! x x