Starting over after a coma

[rubydoobee]

Survivor of a coma. How to go on with your life or just start over and not try to go back to previous life. Any thoughts?

[Really123]

Hi rubydoobee,I was in a coma January 2020. On waking I was weak and had brain fog so was "slow" in thinking. Following 5 months recuperating at home and with consultants advice I returned to work. It was the best thing for me I regained confidence and thought pathways and speeded up my recovery.

I'm glad I picked up my "old life" which encouraged me to get back to normal. I don't think I would have been as quick to recover otherwise.

I realise we are all different and react to timelines in our own way, but it worked for me 😀

[rubydoobee in reply to Really123]

God spoke to my heart just recently.... that I was the not sick anymore but a SURVIVOR. Isn't that terrific .... and you are a SURVIVOR.... So happy for you.

[Back_to_reality]

For me it was a bit of both. All the things in my old life were still there: my wife and kids and extended family, all of whom have been incredible. I couldn't turn my back on any of those.

However, there was my employer, who decided that after 5 days' mandatory sick pay they were not going to pay me any more, and told my wife this by text message. They did back down after complaints from colleagues but they did say when I was out of the coma to come back to work or take it as holiday. They also stopped paying my pension when I was ill.

So I'm starting a new job soon and will be putting that part behind me.

Overall though, in my opinion, it's the stuff in the nightmares that you need to put behind you as it was not real. As I said to someone the other day, I'm now pretty much back to normal, but with one hell of a story to tell people. Of course, I don't tell people everything because some of it was close to the bone, but this is my way of dealing with it.

[rubydoobee in reply to Back_to_reality]

You are a Survivor .... I thought the same thing that I will have a heck of a story to tell to others. I might just try and write a book. But, not now maybe a little later after I get more of a handle on this new life granted to me.

[FamilyHistorian]

I was in a coma during December/Jan/Feb 2019/20. Yes it’s different for everyone. You don’t say what your specific issues are. My hallucinations were in another life. I have no memory for 3 months before going into icu. I am not certain which of my past memories are real or part of my hallucinations. My personality has changed, I always had a wicked sense of humour but know it’s evil. My brain doesn’t control my mouth so I’m never too sure what is going to come out and I don’t really care.Luckily I am no longer employed so I didn’t have to contend with an employer and some are really bad and break the law.

You need to try and do what you want to do

[Sepsur]

Whilst I haven’t been fully successful, numerous bouts of pneumonia ( inc Covid) after ICU, six years of various treatments for leukaemia- all this has left me much more breathless & I struggle with fatigue & weakness - I have been determined to regain the best possible recovery. Along with a few other ex patients we set up cc-sn.org - we put on various free on line sessions each week to improve our stamina, mobility & strength.

[IA2022]

Hi Rubydoobee I was in Coma for several weeks. They did try to take me out of it but put me back into it again. I do have images and really bad nightmares, I’m going through therapy for it but it’s slow moving. The thing I’ve learnt from it is talking about it. Anything what you have in mind. Some of my recordings in my mind are true some arnt and that’s what I’m currently fixing and the gaps I had.

At first I was like get me out of here but now I’m asking questions- loads of them.

I’m struggling with going back to the place like my hospital appointments because their still there same place at the hospital. I’ve asked them to move me away and their looking into it.

Best thing I can say is anything you have in your mind just say it and hopefully things will get better for you.

[Tedsdad]

I am a musician.Before the coma I was a composer, conductor and performer. I am still a musician have kept my technical and performing abilities but lost my imagination as a composer and my self confidence to direct a large number of people and make decisions on he hoof. So I have changed direction musically and it is working pretty well. Fortunately I am retired with a fairly good pension but still regret it when I am invited to go and direct performances of my music thoughs I still have the musical ability don’t have the personal drive and multi tasking ability required of a good conductor.I think if Inhad been involved in something less demanding I would have probably been alright by now but changes in direction can be refreshing as long as you don’t try to fight battles that you can’t win.

[rubydoobee in reply to Tedsdad]

My husband and I used to put on fundraising show and dance for our non profit organization Have A Heart for Companion Animals Inc. But, then my coma experience very difficult recovery and then my husband went in the h ospital because of Covid and after he came h ome my dog Ruby pasted away. I have been having a tremondous difficult time readjusting to my life. I felt like someone place me on the planet and I have been trying to adjust to this place. Sounds crazy I know .. WHen I was in the hosptial no one told me what happened to me nor in rehab. I was told when I got home from my husband. I was not able to have any visitors because of the Covid virus going around. I was in a coma from diabetes , my kidneys were failing, I had pneumonia and was almost gone. But, now I enjoy music even though we haven't been able to put on any more fundraising shows that I miss with all my heart. So I go out and sing it is better than nothing. Sorry for the long post. I am glad for you. Keep doing what ever musical talent you can and be blessed.

[manicminer001]

My doctors religious secretery congratulated me for surviving covid pneumonia and a long 44 day icu stay and 2 months in a hospital bed. Still recovering from it. Strangely to me she said now I can turn my life around and live a better life. WTF?! Why people project their sinful life’s and experiences and behaviours. As if I was a sinner and got my punishment and have a second chance now, wow just wow. One of the nurses wanted me to convert to Islam that is weird too, leave me alone OK people