Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Yes, I have been doing music, flute, piano, voice and Native American flute my entire life. During my time of acute injury I listened to music on CD every single day to ease my anxieties and pain. Music is in my soul......it heals.

Hello @dawnpereda @kdubois @techi @ujeeniack @lakelifelady @carnes @matttheschmatt @beemerw47 @jnewburn @suzyann @techi @danmlee @oceanfun1 @janneg and @david33 and any others who might be dealing with TBIs.

I wanted to share a story about a friend of mine, who dealt with a traumatic brain injury by singing. His story was recently published in our local newspaper, here is the link, http://www.hometownlife.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/08/09/inspiration-look-farmington-hills-listen-singing/104370448/

This is not an isolated incident of how music helps heal the bran. There was recently a couple of articles in "Neurology Now" about positive effects of
singing,

– Tuned In: After a researcher approached a group of people with Parkinson’s disease to start a choir, a series of small miracles unfolded. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2016&issue=12050&article=00014&type=FullText

– Noise Makers: A choir for adults with neurologic conditions allows them to express their creative sides. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2017&issue=13040&article=00009&type=FullText

I would also encourage you to read the Mayo Connect discussion called, "Music Helps Me" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

TBIs carry with them an aftermath that can make life very difficult to deal with. I would encourage you however, to consider music as part of your therapy. If you can find a music therapy group in your area that would be great. However, don't hesitate to tune into some of your favorite music and sing a long.

Will you give music a try and report back to us?

Teresa

Kelly, Thanks so much for sharing! I find all of our situations are similar and different all at the same time. I'm glad you shared what's worked for you. I think we can teach each other so much while giving a voice to this recovery process. I'm very eager to learn more about the CBT that has helped you so much. I will be checking into it. I full heartedly agree with your last sentence. Yes! There is hope!

Hi @dawnpereda, I have a brain injury also, and it's taken me years to come to terms with what happened to me and how to negotiate life when I'm not "me" anymore. Even worse is that I learned that I never even needed the brain surgery that caused the injury (basically, my home medical center misdiagnosed me and led me to having the surgery -- which I never, ever needed). Thankfully, the doctors at Mayo that tested me to figure out exactly what brain issues I have also took ample time afterward to ensure that I was okay and helped me figure out my path forward.

My symptoms: incredibly irritable for no reason, horrible memory, horrible attention issues, very easily overwhelmed, unable to prioritize (down to the level of not being able to organize my thoughts), inability to find the correct words to say (always on the tip of my tongue), transposing numbers in writing and in speech, inability to decode information (for example, while watching Jeopardy, I know that I know the answer and that the information is in my brain, and I know if a contestant answering is correct or incorrect, but I cannot retrieve and say the answer)... a definite change in who I was prior to April 20, 2009 (<-- the date of my surgery).

My injury is primarily in my right frontal lobe, so Mayo figured out that my executive functioning is impaired, which explains all of my issues. (Interestingly, it's not that my memory is bad, but my attention is compromised so much that things never get into my memory.)

I know that I will never be the same, but it can get better. Here's what I've done...

I see a psychologist who deals with medical stuff regularly. We talk about what happened, and I am slowly learning to forgive my doctors and learn to adjust to my new brain.

I also work with a neuropsychologist on something called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He is teaching me how to use other parts of my brain to take over the functions lost by the injured part of my brain.

For example, as of last June, I was unable to remember a simple, three-item grocery list five minutes after I had tried to remember it. Then I'd write the items on a sticky note and attach it to my wallet, and I'd even forget that I had the list with me at the store. But now, by using strategies my doctor taught me, I can remember 80% of a grocery list 30 days later.

He's also taught me simple tricks to help focus oxygen to my frontal lobes to help my thinking, refocus negative thoughts elsewhere, control and slow down emotions, etc. I no longer bite my family's heads off for no reason. I don't get as easily stressed out. I can now actually learn new things again. I kid you not... this stuff works!

I suggest finding a neuropsychologist who works with patients on CBT. It has helped me significantly, and honestly, I wish that they'd teach people those tricks starting in late childhood. I feel that the things I'm learning would benefit most people and help us all be able to manage our lives as a whole.

There is hope!

Amen you got that right John

Thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate all the input. I figure by reaching out we can help one another on this crazy adventure we call life!

LOW LEVEL LIGHT THERAPY (red light) MIGHT HELP. IT WORKED FOR A FORMER SENIOR AT MY PLACE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT.

Your post rings true for my life and many others. Please remember you are not alone, and I am so glad you shared with us. Such a difficult journey with no absolute idea of how we will fare through any of this. I consider life to be a mystery and everyday to be a gift. Sometimes it all feels new, even though I'm sure its not. And often times I don't understand everything around me, but I'm still just so grateful to have this life to live. Thank you for being part of this!

Thank you for sharing your experiences on here with all of us. I appreciate your input. I also get very tired by social activities and require far more rest than ever before. I am grateful to still be active in life and some-what independent. I've been telling myself that I'm doing better but had a reminder yesterday that perhaps I was not being honest with myself. I lost my car yesterday. Since my brain injury I have trouble with "way finding". Basically speaking I forget where I am, where I'm going, or where I parked my car. I had made notes on where I parked but they didn't seem helpful when finding my car. I'm thankful for helpful co-workers who know of my injury and were willing to help me locate my car. Thank you for sharing your experiences and for also sharing what helps!

Thank you so much for your post! I feel stronger and re-assured by each post that is shared on here. You have had such an intense journey. Your faith and your belief in your self seem to have really carried you through this. I had to laugh when you mentioned Wheel of Fortune. I used to watch that show but since my brain injury I am no longer able to solve the puzzles. I now get through my days with sticky notes and journaling, also. Its not the future I would have planned for myself but I trust God will put all of my experiences to good use! Thank you for sharing your brain injury and recovery with us!