Realising your injuries.

[ChloeES]

My brain injury happened about 4 months ago. I've recently found my discharge form stating all the injuries that I sustained. I am in shock reading it and now starting to realise how serious my accident was and it is also making me realise how much I have been alone in it all with people thinking that I am fully recovered, they don't realise I have good and bad days. My main wonder is has it taken others a long time to realise how sever their injuries were/are?

Thanks in advance x

[Kirk5w7]

Absolutely, I believed what I was told that in 2 years I'd be well on the road to recovery. I was never told, or should I say never realised just how ill I had been and that it would mean my life would never be the same.

It is now over 4 years and I am still striving for improvements and ways to live with my new limitations.

Good luck on your journey.

Love Janet x

[ChloeES in reply to Kirk5w7]

Yeah. I've been told by many people (not medical professionals) that I will never be the same again and that is something hard to come to terms with. I can see it tends to stand true to most if not all of the people who have suffered with BI.

Although I do not wish it on my worst enemy. It helps to know that people do understand and have been through it themselves

Thanks xx

[Ro_76]

I can totally relate to this. I sustained my injury just over one year ago and was off work just over four months thinking I am fine what's the problem. It was only when I returned part time to work I realised I wasn't quite right. And now one year on it's rally hitting me how bad it was. I was also told it takes two years Janet. But I feel like a very different person now so am not sure two years will be the end of this. Weird feeling isn't it?

Take care all xxx

[Candace8 in reply to Ro_76]

0-2 years is when you have major improvement. 2-5 years is still improvement but much slower. 5 years onwards is pretty much it but you may still improve but maybe not so don't give up at 2 years xx

[BaronC]

I was largely left alone to get to grips with the consequences of my injury twenty years ago. I didn't even realise I was partially sighted, I just thought I was going mad.

I feel your pain, really. There is still a very long way to go when it comes to healthcare and head injury, sadly. The more we bang the drum, the more word will get out there...

[Balaton52]

Hi

Despite excellent care and info from all included in my 'recovery' process I must have to confess that I thought it was all a fuss about nothing.. After all who were these people telling me I couldn't work again, couldn't drive and whatever I would be like after two years that would be the best I would be. Needless to say I was often 'told off' for not taking things seriously! It was only in the last couple of years I came to understand they were so right and after reading through all my medical info I realised how serious it all was! I still maintain that not accepting the truth at the time brought out the 'I'll show them' attitude !

Now, almost five years down the line I can relate to your comment about people assuming you have fully recovered and having good and bad days. I am often told I am still my 'old self'.. Only close family see the antics and memory losses etc of the 'new' me. But now I have finally accepted the new me and her limitations so I try and look for positive moments every day and see them as moving forward. This is a great place to ask questions, admit worries and share success so keep in contact with us and take care!

And no, not everyone waffles on like me so don't worry that you will be reading short stories every time you visit lol

Marianx

[Candace8]

Yes it took me about 4 years, maybe more. It is a shock when you hear but it's worse not hearing. I'm still striving and have proved everyone wrong however I am aware I will never be the same again and that still eats me, a lot but I stop it quickly. It does take along time to accept that. Some people will understand but many won't. It's not there fault they just don't know how it is with a bi. It used to annoy me badly. Now I just realise you got to be one to know one as such. I call them " normal " people like we are aliens but good loving aliens more than those humans. We are better than them. Please don't take that, your not an alien, it's just a word I use to describe us better people. I'm glad you have found us on here. We can answer most questions to help you xx

[ChloeES in reply to Candace8]

I understand what you are saying. It's true that most people don't understand and I think it is because externally we look perfectly fine and a front is easily put on that we are perfectly fine but there is more going on than I would ever let anyone know and I'm sure many are the same x

[Candace8 in reply to ChloeES]

Yes many are the same. It will bug you for sometime, bugged me for a long time. Still bugs me a bit but I just think dur. I don't tell them. Just smile and walk away, you get good at that 😃 see it gets easy xx

[Candace8]

It took me 4 years to realise how bad I was I meant to say

[randomphantoms]

Hi Chloe

I know your probably sick and tired of hearing "it's early days".

The whole timescale thing can be a thorny issue itself.

I think there is probably a 3way split in any attempt to suggest a timescale.

1 illness generated brain injury. Can't help with that one.

2 surgery

3 impact. I was given the following information..........

0-6 months natural healing.

Bones,bruises and tiny bleeds heal and seal themselves and brain shaking stops.

6 months to 2 years.

The bulk of progress takes place. The work you put in reaps great rewards.

2+years .

More progress is possible but you have to work a lot harder for what seem to be smaller gains.

I only started to get help after 6 months....it began with speech therapy although I had been teaching myself the best I could. Then neuro psychology assessment leading to OT and Physiotherapy.

Hope this helps Chloe.

Love n hugs

Xoxo

[auton143]

Hi ChoeES, I had my fall nearly 6 months ago, when I read what some folks have had I feel small,but I am so glad I linked to this forum the support has been wonderful, I have to say I notice some improvements but then something else baffles me,I didn't realise either it was quite a fall so hang in there but I still feel very ODD xxbarb