What to Expect with Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury

Kittens brain is out of commission for a while. Today my doctor addressed the “scrambling” of thoughts and loss of words I’ve been experiencing and told me it will take a while to return to normal.

After putting me through today's torturous and screamingly painful bone realignment, he told me he knows it’s frustrating to be experiencing this brain melt, but to try not to get too frustrated with myself.

“Look at the NFL players,” he said. “They send them to facilities after concussions and they are back on the playing field in one week. I believe that’s way too soon, but when you have multi-million dollar facilities you can recover quicker. It could take two to three months before the fog in your brain lifts.”

Sigh. My work is words. I have to have a command of words. To be able to align letters neatly into rows and structure words into cohesive sentences. If I don’t have words I don’t have a paycheck. I literally need words to pay my bills and put food on the table for my children.

And now words and thoughts and ideas are failing me.

My brain is like a jumbled mess of jelly. It works slowly and it’s truly like trying to shift through mud in the fog.

I know there is more in there. I have not forgotten anything. The fog is just so dense that I can’t see it immediately and I don’t know where to turn to find it.

It’s slow moving.

In the meantime, he told me lights hinder brain healing, so keep rooms on the darker side and avoid bright lights. Do not do any sort of heavy activity- physical or mental. If anything starts to pull or strain (including your eyes) stop. Limit screens: computers, television, phones- these are not good for brain injuries.

He also said fish oil helps the brain heal faster. And avoid emotional stress.

Recent research into brain injuries shows they are more concerning than once thought only a few years ago. Mild concussions can happen from being in a fist fight, falling off a bike, or even from a slow speed fender bender. Concussions can alter memory and thought, alter physical function, and affect school and social performance.

A concussion occurs when the head hits an object like a wall or the ground, a moving object hits the head, or when the head experiences a sudden force which jolts the brain within the skull without being hit directly. Kids are more vulnerable to concussions because their brain is still developing, and pressures to perform in school and on the filed slows recovery.

If you or a loved one, especially a child, experiences a concussion, suspend all physical and mental activity for a time. Do not put pressures on the individual to return to high levels of activity. The return should be gradual. It’s not easy to know when it’s safe, as a concussion can take 6 months to a year to fully heal under the best circumstances, so just go easy. The dangers of pushing can be at the most permanent brain damage and at the least a prolonged recovery.

This image is an accurate representation of my brain right now

Another thing I want to add is to be sure a trusted loved one is aware of every stage in your recovery. And consult them with any important decision. 16 months ago I received a concussion from an 80 pound heater falling from 5 feet above me. That afternoon I was engaged in my normal afterschool routine for my boys: making a snack and getting them situated for homework. My youngest came into the kitchen and exclaimed, "Mom! What are you doing? Why are you cooking nothing?"

I was literally cooking nothing. And it was completely normal to me. Cooking air- no lie! That scared me and is what got me to the doctor who immediately ordered a brain scan. And it made me realize that when you have a concussion whatever you are doing seems normal to you, as your brain is holey and does not know any better.

Take it easy and be safe my friends. Happy Friday and have a restful and relaxing weekend <3

Part 1-My Near Death Experience
Part 2- the Accident Aftermath
Part 3- Subtract the D from PTSD but Your Brain is Still Scrambled
Part 4-How to Heal Mind and Body After an Accident & Helpful Advice for Your Loved Ones
Trigger warning- graphic and raw.

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Thank you so much for your support and kind words. You have my heart my Steemit tribe. I love you guys. Your support and encouragement is truly healing and comforting, and I am so grateful I have you <3

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Images via Pexels and Pixabay