Adult Life after a Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted by Dawn Pereda @dawnpereda, Sep 27, 2017

Hi, My name is Dawn and I am an RN. Just over two years ago I received a work related injury. This injury has left me with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even though two years have passed, I still suffer with lingering tbi symptoms. I have some issues with memory. Some things I remember with no problems, other things I just don't remember and I can't explain why... I also suffer with issues related to mood dis-regulation. I can be angry at times and not understand why or end up having explosive outbursts. This has greatly impacted my life. I still work but no longer with patients. Also, this has been a huge turn around for my family. I'm no longer the mom who has everything under control. I used to work full time, manage my kids' schedules, pay household bills, and keep my house clean. Now I struggle to remember to brush my hair before leaving for work. My husband pays the bills and my kids write their schedules on a large calendar (that hangs in our dining room) so I can visually be reminded where they are and what they are doing. I am a "new" me and I never would have imagined this journey for myself.

I know there are things out there for youth that suffer from concussion/tbi, but I don't always find a lot of discussion/support for adults, like myself. I get up every day and work to live my life to its fullest. If you would like to know more about my life and journey, you can listen to a podcast that I did with my family. Its called "Terrible, Thanks For Asking". We're season 1, episode 5. Its brutally honest. If any of this rings true to your life please join this discussion with me. Thanks for your time!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 9 9:58pm

In reply to @emmawalling1992 "FINALLY! People like myself! Hello! I have suffered a very serious TBI about 4 years ago..." + (show)

@emmawalling1992

FINALLY! People like myself!
Hello!
I have suffered a very serious TBI about 4 years ago (wow, has it really been that long!?) I was injured by a few men while living at my worst possible way of living. So I blame myself for being in that awful environment and blame myself for being so young on these streets thinking no one would hurt me! Fast forward to now it doesn’t matter why, how, or any of that…I still got this dang TBI tho…and had to return the the town where everyone remembered the old Emma, and she’s sadly gone from this injury. I finally tonight googled TBI and found this written by you guys. And as much bad stuff as I read…it placed this huge smile on my face. Because there’s no one that understands how I didn’t mean to but have some how changed completely into a different person only you guys seem to know anymore. I used to LOVEEEE 24/7 being around people, friends,anyone! Now I sit at home, mostly in my room alone. I suffer from anger that is just from no where and will scream at anyone “ STOP BREATHING SO LOUD!” Knowing damn well they can’t help it. And as for memory…that it’s almost most annoying because the doctors give me these memory tests that I pass but that’s not the type of memory I have problems with. If someone says do you remember so-and-so and I was just with that person yesterday…doesn’t matter..I still can’t tell you who that is because names don’t ring a bell in my head unless I say that name like every day a bunch of times type of interaction i mostly can’t tell you who that person is by the name you are giving me. That’s super annoying.
So here I am back at “ home” and that’s why I stay in my room..I was one of those loved people that everyone likes to be around and I don’t want to change that, which lets be real..it would…with my TBI, your TBI. WITH TBI! Only a very few people can deal with me anymore..and I know they don’t understand me, but they still love and deal with me so I’m crazy thankful. But to finally read entries written by people who are just like me, that has brought a genuine joy to me. A feeling that I don’t feel for myself too very often anymore so thank you!

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Hi, @emmawalling1992. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I believe you are exactly right that you have found people like yourself who can relate to things such as emotions like anger after a TBI, to seeing themselves change after an injury and feeling isolated sometimes.

I'd also like you to meet @hopeful33250.

It sounds like you've done some memory testing. Wondering what other medical tests or treatments you've experienced since your head injury?

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