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← Return to Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
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Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | Last Active: Dec 3 3:08pm | Replies (187)Comment receiving replies
Hello,
My surgery did stop my complex partial seizures, and I was left with very occasional auras (simple partials).. a lot better than before! I did develop major depression post-surgery though, as well irritating side effects. [My least favorite being the "tip of the tongue"]
I do appreciate your kind words. I felt like I completely lost myself after my TBI. As though I was a mere shell, with nothing inside. I have tried very hard to get better, and to be the best person that I can be. And, unfortunately that does require going in-patient from time to time.
I don't know if this difficulty managing my emotions is due to my life circumstances, where the brain injury is, or a mixture of the two. But, I do often feel emotionally alone (other than help from my psych team).
My answer to your question: Yes, writing what I am thinking and feeling is *much easier * than speaking it. Not due to humility, but I just can't recall in the moment. My mind goes blank. But, with some time and free from pressure, I can think much easier... That's my experience, anyway.
Thanks for reading.
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@heathertink1970 I wanted to share a bit with you because my dad had a traumatic brain injury from a skull fracture in his 60's. It was a few months before I could recognize his personality. He was just someone else, and after the hospital discharge, I took care of him feeding him through a GI tube because he lost the ability to swallow correctly, and helping him relearn language that got messed up. He would invent words by throwing 2 words together, think it was real and argue when I corrected it.
In later years, he became very emotional and would cry easily even about things that happened to someone else like tragic news stories on television. At the same time, he was kind of drawn to it and watched the news all the time. He was still angry about bullies in high school and a toddler who rode her bike into his path as he rode his bike down the street. At that time, he had had a stroke that took away half of his vision so he saw only to the left half, and she came into his field of vision suddenly from the blind side, and he hit the brakes, flew off the bike and broke his collar bone and fortunately was wearing a bike helmet.
After his initial recovery from the skull fracture injury in his 60's, he was able to return to teaching a swim class he was running for adults with disabilities at the YMCA. I volunteered and helped in those classes for both adults and children, and I worked with people with head injuries. In general, they could easily become frustrated and short tempered, and I saw that in my dad too. He had a short temper even before his head injury, and it got worse and he lost the ability to problem solve and reason well, but didn't realize it. He always felt sorry for himself and couldn't allow himself to be happy because something would set him off. Sure there were times of contentment, but with advancing age and him worrying about leaving my mom alone when he was gone, he wasn't very happy.
When I read your words, I hear hope because you recognize what the challenges are and are trying to overcome them and doing a good job with it. I am glad you have some help with things. My dad never did recognize his limitations. I think you have the ability to inspire others with your words and honesty, so I would encourage you to keep on writing and sharing.
Blessings,
Jennifer