My Traumatic Brain Injury
They say nurses are the worst patients. I try not to be, LOL!!!! I apologize up front for the long post. I need to give a quick synopsis of what took place. So here we go. On August 29th 2015, I was enjoying a lovely ride with a friend after a date when suddenly my entire world changed.
From behind, a distracted driver hit us going at least 35 mph as we had initiated a stop to make a right turn. Bang!!! It felt like lightning was surging through my head from the back to the front. I mean it felt like a serious brain freeze but ten times worse. Dazed and stunned, I managed to gather myself and I thought I was ok. Well, if you can imagine, 7 months later, I'm still trying to get this brain of mine together.
What scared the living daylights out of me was a day I will never forget: September 9th 2015. This was the day I woke up from a nap with severely slurred speech, difficulty walking, and dizziness worse than a drunk person. It was so bad, my friend, who is also a nurse called 911 while talking to me on the phone. It's one thing to navigate the healthcare system when you have all of your mental faculties with you, but try it when you're confused, scared, and thinking the worse is taking place.
I just knew I was having a stroke since I have a strong family history of it. However, all of my scans of my brain were negative. What really tripped me out was how unsupported I felt by the providers and nurses in my care. They literally treated me like I was making my symptoms up. I am still a little traumatized by this experience. I had never been the type of nurse to treat my patients like this and it was just not fair that I was receiving this type of treatment.
With advocates helping me get the care I needed, 7 months have passed and I'm still taking it one day at a time and some days I am more with it than others. Each day has been a surprise; well a mystery even. From speech, physical, massage, and vision therapy, the road I'm on is uncertain, but I fully embrace it. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I didn't know the devastation a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury could cause. This is a problem. Heck, some of the doctors had no clue either. So this blog, I pray, will serve many purposes: to inspire, spread awareness on the severity of traumatic brain injuries, and to support others going through it.
From behind, a distracted driver hit us going at least 35 mph as we had initiated a stop to make a right turn. Bang!!! It felt like lightning was surging through my head from the back to the front. I mean it felt like a serious brain freeze but ten times worse. Dazed and stunned, I managed to gather myself and I thought I was ok. Well, if you can imagine, 7 months later, I'm still trying to get this brain of mine together.
What scared the living daylights out of me was a day I will never forget: September 9th 2015. This was the day I woke up from a nap with severely slurred speech, difficulty walking, and dizziness worse than a drunk person. It was so bad, my friend, who is also a nurse called 911 while talking to me on the phone. It's one thing to navigate the healthcare system when you have all of your mental faculties with you, but try it when you're confused, scared, and thinking the worse is taking place.
I just knew I was having a stroke since I have a strong family history of it. However, all of my scans of my brain were negative. What really tripped me out was how unsupported I felt by the providers and nurses in my care. They literally treated me like I was making my symptoms up. I am still a little traumatized by this experience. I had never been the type of nurse to treat my patients like this and it was just not fair that I was receiving this type of treatment.
With advocates helping me get the care I needed, 7 months have passed and I'm still taking it one day at a time and some days I am more with it than others. Each day has been a surprise; well a mystery even. From speech, physical, massage, and vision therapy, the road I'm on is uncertain, but I fully embrace it. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I didn't know the devastation a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury could cause. This is a problem. Heck, some of the doctors had no clue either. So this blog, I pray, will serve many purposes: to inspire, spread awareness on the severity of traumatic brain injuries, and to support others going through it.
Well written, Ella. I love it. Everyone thinks we will heal so fast and it just doesnt happen that way!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your feedback. I totally agree with you. I just knew this would be a two week type of an ordeal. Boy how wrong I was. The brain is a very fragile organ and I have a newfound respect for it. We cannot push it too hard while it's healing because it will revolt against you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you. My injury (concussion) happened in March 2015 and a year later I am still working so...hard to get my life back as I knew it. My journey have been difficult to say the least. I've always been such an energetic, outgoing, driven person and now there are days that I can barely tolerate activities of any kind. My daughter told me tonight that I am still in denial and she thinks it makes my symptoms worse. I am holding on tightly to my FAITH and I pray that God gives me strength to accept the changes that this Traumatic Brain Injury have caused.
ReplyDeleteBless you Laveda. It is very hard getting your life back and then you have to adjust to your "new" life altered by a brain injury. My faith also sustains me during my darkest times. The Lord is amazing and I'm so glad he comforts me and gives me so much courage to keep pressing on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting this blog! My son has suffered a couple concussions but this past January during a wrestling tournament, it was like the last straw. He has been suffering ever since. We take him to a concussion specialist and have just recently gotten appointments for physical therapy, a vision specialist and a neurologist! But to be honest with you, what has helped the most is reading on the PCS Facebook page. I have gotten so many recommendations and information that I know he has a long road in front of him, but I also know there is hope, he knows there is hope, he also knows he is not alone, nor is he losing his mind! So thank you for starting a blog because just reading other people's stories and struggles can be a God send for people who are new to the Hell of PCS, MBI, PTSD ect. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteHello honwe1974,
DeleteThanks for appreciating my new blog. I want to do something to help other people realize they're not alone. Yes, the PCS facebook page is one of the reasons why I'm doing this blog and still on facebook altogether. Their love, concern, and sharing of resources is invaluable. God bless you and your son!!!! There is hope even in the midst of the struggle. I'm a living witness of it.
Great introduction to your blog! I particularly like 'Each day has been a surprise; well a mystery even'. That's just how it is if you embrace the new experiences even when they are scary and don't seem to make any sense. It is all so new and strange but, as you say, we learn a lot about ourselves, others and ourselves as health practitioners. Well Done Ella!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia. The mystery continues even today. When your brain is injured, your life is injured too. The brain is the control center of everything. This is why I don't understand the ignorance in the medical community concerning traumatic brain injuries. They should just know better.
DeleteThanks Julia. The mystery continues even today. When your brain is injured, your life is injured too. The brain is the control center of everything. This is why I don't understand the ignorance in the medical community concerning traumatic brain injuries. They should just know better.
DeleteElla, you did a wonderful job highlighting your ordeal stemming from the car accident! I am fervently praying that God heals you from this very debilitating condition. I know many others who also have been impacted by this trauma will benefit from your transparency in this blog. I hope this piece will also resonate with people the importance of not driving while texting, under the influence of alcohol or with any other distractions. Our lives depend on it! I hope no one else waits until their loved one's life is destroyed before they choose to heed this warning!
ReplyDeleteElla, you did a wonderful job highlighting your ordeal stemming from the car accident! I am fervently praying that God heals you from this very debilitating condition. I know many others who also have been impacted by this trauma will benefit from your transparency in this blog. I hope this piece will also resonate with people the importance of not driving while texting, under the influence of alcohol or with any other distractions. Our lives depend on it! I hope no one else waits until their loved one's life is destroyed before they choose to heed this warning!
ReplyDeleteHey Pat, thanks for reading my post and understanding the importance of driving safely. I am glad my experience is helping others. I praise God for you and other family member's support.
DeleteHello Ella this is a real nice poem and I want you to know that I'm your biggest supporter not just because I'm your Mom but because I know the struggles are real. From my brain being injured from 2 strokes and still have to deal with this daily but this blog will be a blessing to a lot of people. Love you my daughter we're going to keep fighting to get our brains back on track.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mom. You are my biggest supporter and I can truly see God's grace on your life as you recover also. God is awesome and he has brought us a mighty long way.
DeleteYes he has and thank God for showing me grace and I know if we trust him he'll continue to bless our lives that we can help others to deal with their struggles also.
ReplyDelete