Hello all...

[Ro_76]

I hope everyone is coping ok, or as best as they can. Sorry I haven't posted here since very early after my fall and injury. I have come a long way since then when it happened in July last year, but it's always there to remind me. Being back full time at work certainly gets far too much, so it's great to have a week of holiday now. What's annoying is that it becomes just a recovery period instead of a proper holiday, if you know what I mean. Tomorrow I have another appointment with the neurology psychologist, which is always very helpful I find. The pain I was getting in the left back of my head had more or less gone, but returned this afternoon. It's too much thinking.... My CT scan at Kings in April said focal encephalomalacia in left temporal region. That accounts for the pain then. I wasn't sure what it meant but my doctor seems to think all ok... People at work look and think I am ok but inside I am not 100 %... I get memory problems, even talk slowly to think what I need to say at times. I lose my temper at stupid things. I can't cope with noise that others may regard as trivial... It goes on. I still can't drive, but don't feel in a rush to do so again with my moods. Getting the licence back will be a start. I thought Kings would discharge me but not yet it appears.

Ok sorry to go on ha ha. Take care all.

[sca2013]

Thanks for sharing. I definitely relate to your experience.

[BeckyT77]

Hi how you doing now X. My son had his accident in July last year too. He was twelve. Thirteen now. A bleed and surgery to remove the clots. Although he's much younger he often feels the same way you describe. Angry. Tired. Confused. We keep plodding on as they say X. He looks the same too. But he isn't. I so feel for where you're coming from X. We don't know what paths we will end up on but we are on one thankfully X. Keep strong and you will get there, same as we will X. Take care. Becky xxx

[Ro_76 in reply to BeckyT77]

Hi Becky sorry to hear about your son's accident, he is very young bless him. Sounds like he went through much more than I did, and I hope he is slowly on the road to a good recovery now. Yes it's not easy to cope with for your son and myself, but also the family and friends around us. Wishing you all the very best and as time goes on I hope we can all look back and think how well we have all done. xx

[Elenor3]

Thank you for sharing. I'm about to rerun to work and am having kittens about not letting myself down it's good to read a post from someone else who's a year on from TBI and back at work. Good luck with your continuing recovery

[Ro_76 in reply to Elenor3]

Hi Elenor, I can totally understand your trepidation about returning to work. Take it slowly and let your body get used to it little bit at a time. I returned on a phased return doing one morning, then gradually building it up. That was 4 months after my injury. I probably returned too fast as the neurology psychologist suggested I wait until 6 months were up. But typical me I just went with what I felt. It took me about 3 months to build it to full time, but even now I do find it too much sometimes. The fatigue is not as bad as it was, but I get stressed when too much has gone on and my brain can't cope with it. I wish you all the best and don't press yourself too hard. That's what I do...not easy is it. Take care xx

[angelite in reply to Elenor3]

Hi Eleanor - when are you due back and is it a 'phased' return to work on less hours ? x

[Elenor3 in reply to angelite]

Yes it'll be just like that - very short days just twice a week and building up slowly. Not sure what will he open about the driving part - but I won't be able to do those tasks anyway until I'm properly settled in. I work freelance and in several part time jobs so a couple of them have had to already be 'let go' as they're not practical without a car, but also because if dizziness. I plan to do the desk part of my permanent job for a few months and see how it goes. I've never had any problems at work before but everything's different now.

[Ro_76 in reply to Elenor3]

If you don't mind me asking did you drive before? I did but lost my licence after the seizure and also injury. It does make life more difficult, especially if your job involved driving. But it sounds as though they have other jobs you can do until later on.

[angelite in reply to Elenor3]

I think you're being very sensible and practical in your approach. I had to give up 2 of my private jobs after my first illness, 3 years ago but kept one on and got back to cleaning job on reduced hours. We have to work within our limitations, frustrating as it can be ! Would be nice if my limitations didn't keep changing lol !

Sending best vibes for a successful return : ) x

[Elenor3 in reply to angelite]

Thanks so much fingers crossed x

[angelite]

Hi Ro,

I used to only work a few hours but so often found that annual leave became more like recuperation time, even though I had planned to get this, that and the other done ! It was frustrating, being so unproductive on holidays, compared to how I used to be pre BI. You sound to still be dealing with a lot of fall out symptoms, which will add to the fatigue. That you have got back to work is a testament to your discipline and determination but the full time hours sound to be taking their toll. I know that financial, amongst other reasons, can make us push ourselves more than is probably ideal. Good to hear that things have improved so much since last year - long may it continue : )

Take care,

Angela x

[Ro_76 in reply to angelite]

Hi Angela, thanks yes I am still dealing with fall out symptoms I think. The neurology psychologist said I over push myself, and due to the injury my brain can't arrange problems I deal with like it used to. I think I am ok and then something happens that makes me realise I am not quite there yet. Memory being a main one, and taking longer to process things I need to do in my head. Yes this holiday has been a slow one...today I haven't even left the house yet. When I return to work next week I have 6 full time weeks ahead until my next holiday. I am certain that will be too much so I might try to book some odd days and break it up.

Hope you are ok. Take care xx