It's been ages, as always, sorry

[saville75]

Hey there everyone, it's me. I have a couple of things very relevant to me just now and it'd be great if you can help.

Firstly, my husband and I are struggling. When I say that *I'm* struggling which impacts on him, of course. Why? Well my son is off school for his holidays, my counsellor is not working for the next few weeks and my friend is away. So I'm trying to keep my head above water. My usual response is to eat, eat, eat. But because I'm planning on gastric tunnel surgery soon, I'm following the diet required which is healthy, balanced and unfortunately no Ben+Jerry's!

Anyway I was wondering. We have this forum for people who have suffered TBI. But is there an equivalent for people who live alongside TBI survivors? I'm assuming there must be and if there isn't then surely there should be?

Also I'm still updating my TBI blog if anybody is interested. If you have an Instagram page then the link is i_had_tbi_2008

instagram.com/i_had_tbi_2008/

And if you don't have an Instagram page (it's not essential in life guys!) I have it on my artist's website as follows

lhodonovan.com/blog-1

Thanks a lot everyone,

L x

[Leaf100]

Hi Saville75, husbands are welcome here too - and also call Headway to see what they might have for family.

Leaf

[skydivesurvivor]

welcome back!! Life is a challenge, especially as A u adapt u personality/ retire? B for those around us? Experience has been challenging, more downs than ups? Just remember please? The text gang are here for you!! May take us time to come back, TBI’s are a pain in the a##E?!! But many care!! Keep safe and text soon?!!!

[catrabb1t]

Hi there. I had some free time and Ive read your blogs on your website 🙂👍. Several things come to mind. Your artistic talent - you are very talented. I loved reading about how you love painting and seeing your photos on your painting wall. The vibe of your blogs is great and sets the scene for your full life. I imagine it feels good to have all this information captured solidly and has been essential for you in piecing things together and making connections. I enjoyed reading all your own words and your own account. I find it interesting that you are an analyitical person in the lab and a creative in your art. This further shows your talents.

A few little comments - I was surprised you could read your harry potter book and wonder if others could within months of surgery and while in hospital/rehab. Reading a book is something I haven't felt drawn to do because of the effort of retaining the story. I have just remembered that somebody recommended me reading a book I already know and I should try that.

Now I have that thought in my head, my other thoughts have parted and flown away. At least I have told you my main ones.

Its appealing to me to try and write down my life's trajectory. One the one hand, I think it could be helpful having it exist and it would help me to pull out thoughts that ebb and flow, but on the other, it will be mentally very taxing for me. I have yet to deep think without feeling panicky and nauseous and very very tired. I told my psych this week that I feel one-dimensional now and many doors have shut in my brain. He said at times of overwhelm then yes, but not all the time. One door to shut is my imagination thru writing and reading poetry - I have no inclination to do either now. Deeper levels of thinking about myself feel remote.

Oh yes, your gastric band surgery. Have you developed an increased appetite since surgery? Just a thought, have you had your hormones checked? I am taking HRT and have swapped and changed how I take it. These changes seem to have interrupted my appetite. I have gone from needing to eat 3 small meals a day and feeling satisfied, to permanently thinking about food and having a low appetite, to feeling constantly hungry and eating a lot more. If it is your hormones then this would need sorting for after your surgery so that you're not craving. I dont know how you will be tested. Do addictions increase for some after brain surgery? Food is such an easy one to indulge in. Wishing you well for the surgery.

You have a change of routine and support at the moment and it is impacting on you. It's horrible isn't it. Also knowing how it impacts on our other halves. I tell myself that everyone's relationships has ups and downs... I just remembered how you slept all day and all night but made your husband's dinners for him every day = true love 💛

[catrabb1t]

I just realised that there are tabs on the left of your page. These have not loaded properly on my laptop and I can just see a bit of the box outline which means I missed seeing all your art ones and only saw your brain injury blogs. One of the tabs is your shop so it is important they load. Please check this isn't happening for everyone otherwise your paintings wont be seen. I adore your collection of hand paintings.

[saville75 in reply to catrabb1t]

Eesh thanks for that I'll get it checked out...

[Painting-girl]

Hi L It's not the easiest holiday to avoid carbs unfortunately, is it? I hope you got on ok, and find a way round eating - sorry, I missed your post at the timeJ x

[saville75]

Thank you J and please don't worry about it! X

[New_beginning]

Oh wow, you have been busy and well done finding solution on weight, I think people can underestimate the determination required preparing for procedure, so please lift your head up high doing this route.. You already have the self discipline and insight to your current situation therefore keep in right direction whilst your networks are away for short period. You and husband gone through so much, so take this as a little phase and be polite to each other to not let it escalate, I'm intrigued by blog, I'm not on Instagram. Ohhh so excited to see your up coming posts on this. All the best x