What Impact Will Moderate or Severe TBI Have on a Person's Life?

I suffered a TBI while serving in the USMC. This injury was inflicted by friendlys. no need to elaborate as this isn't the topic here. I suffer risiduals permanent in nature such as : headaches, memory loss,anxiety, balance ( I fall often) ,neurpathic effects,can't concentrate, can't converse w/O staying on a topic PTSD, social deficiency. Etc.I got it all.although some of these have improved a little all still exist. I don't know where and what I'd be today,but I am sure I wouldn't be where I am now. I just live my life and make the best of it I can.I'm proud of me for hanging in tough. And behind a Marine. An FYI ,This happened 28 years ago,and this took me 42 minutes to type.

Yes both my 2 best friend jumped ship. I rarely try to make new friends now.

What's wrong with being lonely...? It is the only way for a TB Survivor to begin rediscovering who he/she is after injury... a new you... you don't look back to find the old you... a mirage was the old you. Now is when discovery is made... which will ultimately lead to higher grounds... why did it happen?... it happened and that tells you something in itself... humbled for a reason... a chance to restore what was not... seek solace in survival... for there is reason you lived... surmount, surmont... it isn't easy, but then again, it isn't hard... you need to look at it in the "just right" perspective... what's that, you ask... develop a mantra... one you make up yourself... five words of empowerment you can repeat... I've written this before but I'll say it again... little, smalller, and smallest... the world has slowed down for us... accept that and play into the fact... a new you has evolved from a horrific incident... why it happen is beyond our means... acceptance is within... we can work with that... just right, just right, just right... AC

Thanks you for your comment, I have been depressed from tbi but I have a journey life is a journey.

What a devastating story the June 10 piece composed 5:50 PM is. Amazing what persistence is shown. Wonderful your sister has found some semblance of comfort through her artwork. You never contemplated drawing back and letting her find her own way. Amazing journey of sustenance...this is the struggle that is Traumatic Brain Injury. Your sister is, or was in a constant state of rage. Slowly she has shifted into less and less rage and seemingly has found a light in artwork. Amazing the persistence of you and family. Amazing story line...put some of the burden on sister to find the light. Life is about responsibility...it is time for her to stop hating the cards life dealt her and begin to realize the warm and loving foundation that surrounds her...grow up sis, because what you have now will not always be present...!!!

I had my TBI 8 years ago and I am overwhelmingly lonely too.I pray there is hope for us!

My sister and I were hit by a car in 1992 standing on the side of the road waiting to cross. No nothing happened to the person that hit us and we did not receive any compensation. My sister was a 2nd year medical student in California at the time. My injuries were minimal. My sister though sustained a very severe TBI. She was in a coma for approximately 8 months - she eventually started showing signs and responded to family and friends. She received rehab and was sent home in diapers 3 months later. After she was home for about 2 yrs living with my parents and causing major dramas. So she moved into a condo and lived there on her own (barely) for about 20 yrs. It is amazing she didnt hurt herself.  She has never returned to school, got a job or got married. She has no friends either. She is deaf in one ear and sees double in one eye. It is amazing that she never killed herself looking back now. I guess we (the family) thought we would just ignore the situation as much as we could for as long as we could.  Her eyes remain close 80% of the time when she is not watching tv or painting (apparently a result of the brain injury). She is very very difficult to deal with and can get violent one minute and then next, crying her eyes out apologizing. She is partially paralyzed on one side of her body and has a plate in her head. She falls a lot and can be very defiant. When you try to help her - she will abuse you 80% of the time. She has been known to call names, curse, yell, hit, etc. She is like a cross between MS and dementia. As the years go on, her balance is exceptionally bad. She has scars all over her body nothing makes her happy really. She is so depressed and pissed off at the world - as is the majority of the entire family.  Men have used her throughout the years for sex, and she is very lonely. Recently the doctor said to us that you need to put her into a home which financially is not an option. My sisters condition has destroyed our family in a lot of ways and each of us suffer from some level of depression - especially my Dad who is going to die a broken heart because he could not 'fix her' - which I find is common feeling for a Dad. He did do a lot for her - although basically as another father said to me - would never be happy until his child was back to who they were before. 23 years post accident, the family as a whole walks through a slow moving funeral is how it feels. My response to my survivor guilt was to get married and leave the country and live overseas - coming back once a year to care for her. Five years ago, I moved back to the area to care for her. It has been a disaster with my family since, at best. Our family was dysfunctional before - and now we are worse. We argue over her care all the time. My sisters condition is not so much the problem. It is that we cannot work together for a solution because we are all so screwed up with our own grief and depression. When a family cannot accept the condition of their loved one, how can we expect our loved one to?  I desperately needed to see a light! My sister has done artwork her whole life - so I started her a business of her art work. With me helping her, she has started to 're-defined' her life 23 years later  - promoting her and she has shown her work on several websites and galleries When she was doing her undergraduate work, she had worked so hard to get into medical school and since the accident refused to look down any other road - but has finally agreed to - and her artwork is bringing some sort of positivity to her life - finally.  She has had a couple commissioned pieces and does gain some sort of happiness in it which is good. But again, the family dynamics are still in the way! Hopefully that will subside with time - but I have little hope much will change. I have no idea what the future holds for my sister. I dont know how long it will be before we have no choice but to put her into a home which will be exceptionally depressing for her and for the family. The doctors don't know either. As far as what I have learned 23 years on for families is 1) GET HELP FOR YOURSELF because if you lose it, how can you help at all with your loved one 2) have absolutely NO expectations on either yours or your loved ones injury - every brain injury is different and NO doctor can give you answers for sure - they just can guess 3) let go of who you think the person was before and try very hard to make peace with it 4) try to help 're-define' your loved ones life as that may help the depression. 5) you cannot control everything 6) hang on tight because it is a life long journey that never ends .

I am 16 right now as I post this. almost a year ago I got smashed in the head by a cane (the cane broke instantly when it collided with my head) because some guy thought I stole his phone this day changed my life from that day on I have a best friend I can relate to because he got hit by a car. No I did not turn into a vegetable state I was was able to run quickly away as soon he he hit me . That day was the worst day of my life. To overcome this obstacles I jog everyday 2-5 miles I am a aspiring track star it help me from thinking and relieves my moderate depression ever since I start to run and I plan to run for the rest of my life. Although I may suffer from mild anxiety from time to time i guess this was my faith. To this day my family does not know about this

8 months ago i met with a life changing accident since then i am not able to speak properly my left part was paralyzed but it was temporary after that i am not able to write properly...i am 23 years old male

TO ART C......THANK YOU FOR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, ALTHOUGH I AM MOURNING MY PREVIOUS SELF, WHICH WAS 50 PLUS YEARS ON OVERDRIVE, WHICH I THRIVED ON.  I AM HUMBLING MYSELF TO A SLOWER ME WHICH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE BEGGED ME TO DO FOR YEARS.  THE UNIVERSE HANDS YOU YOUR TRUE FATE IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.  THANK YOU AGAIN

I ran into a interior glass wall leaving my brand new, first day back to work office building almost two years ago. Our previous office building was hit by a tornado which forced us to.  I was checked out at the ER and was told I suffered a mild concussion, put on bed rest for 10 days and I would be okay.  Three months later I was rushed from work to the ER with symptoms of having a stroke.  The doctors ran all the test including a CT scan all came back negative.  I did not have a stroke.  The neurologist diagnosis was TBI from the injury I previously sustained .  I was admitted to the hospital for observation, I was floored!  Fortunately, my injury is not like most on this page. But want people to know not to dismiss a hit on the head as no big deal as i did.   For me I had difficulty wrapping my brain, no pun, around TBI.  After many inconclusive diagnosis behind me including a month stay in mental health facility I continued to walk around in a fog and concluded that maybe I was going crazy. I was placed on permanent disability and no longer able to work. I am now under the care of two highly reputable nero psychiatrists in my community who have taken me off all the psychotic medication and now on Nuedexta, with an anti seizure medication and mood stabilizer.  I no longer sufferer with extreme mood swings, which was mainly rage, anger and crying.  My cognitive have improved but I've come to the conclusion that they will never be the same.  My anxiety is my major concern as I live in a hyper vigilante state of fear now, i now question everything.  I  have days that I'm afraid to drive as I seem to become confused, disorientated and afraid, so I don't, I no longer flying, as I did in previous life for my company and vacation.  I cannot tolerate large crowds,or noisy areas; in other words my social circle which was the size of the globe is now the size of a dime.  I am hopeful with time and my new meds this too will improve

I'd like to post some information of significant rehab benefit to the readers of this site. Closing in on 35 years of dealing, living, with TBI, you gain some insight. First and foremost is simplicity is your benefactor......................................simpler the better..................................is the motto to live in.........................................an example of this is incorporating rehab in your daily activities 24/7. Brushing your teeth is one of the most beneficial tasks to re-establishing the corridors of enlightenment on the journey forward. You must "focus" when brushing and there is no outside interference. You gain co-ordination and dexterity. Use one hand or two............................two ideally is the goal. Start with one an in time the other arm will gain the necessary ability to be included. It also strengthens the core and spinal column...........minimal, sure, but it's there.................the most all encompassing rehab around, in my estimation............................................simply because "YOU" control all aspects an YOU can do it. Success, success, success..................................if you fail, try, try, try, again until the task is mastered. Remember, small to small to smaller is where the journey begins..................................................patients heals in its own way...............................................in time!!!

Art C.

 life...sustaining a TBI at some point in the journey allows one to view life afar, it seems. What was, was, what is remains elusive, seemingly impossible to regain the "old me."

Sustaining a "Traumatic Brain Injury" is a primer in controlling the "ego." The benefits of reigning in this instrument of other/under/worlds is immeasurable. We get a chance to experience the flip side of life...before the chronological time frame is reached...a benefit that is not seen as you experience the depths of depression from this incalculably action that has overwhelmed the body.

Peer into the future, oh chosen one...for you have been granted a gift in reverse...life is about perspective. Look, feel, see, how it be...!!!

It is there for the taking...life, choose carefully, for the master of deception may seek to send thee astray. Humility is the path you have been forced on. Accept the decree and travel with the wind at your back instead of fighting the blizzard 24/7.

Choice...choose...it's only you!!!

Arthur Cortis

Stephanie Heidrich, you were not lucky because there is no such thing as luck...as stated before, "everything happens just the way it was suppose to." You, Stephanie, made your supposed luck...you took the warrior stance and plowed ahead, realizing what was bequeathed to you, life at a level that allows you to realize the fortune one has inherited.

I read your statement since it was the one right after my two comments that run together but separate...CNA, just right!!!

Hi, I came across this very interesting piece of reading material on my computer. Sustained a TBI thirty-four years ago. Brain-stem contusion...a new person was born. Hit by a train, comatose for 13 days...3 months in hospital, 1 month in ICU.

Life changes, to say the least...reincarnation. A new you has been born.

The perspective is always "JUST RIGHT!!!"

Hello,

My daughter was hit by a car when she was 8, she is now 24. I have been dealing with the affects of traumatic brain injury for 16 years and it has mostly been hell on earth. She had rehab all this time except for a few years when she decided to live with her dad and he said she was "fine" She's not fine and hasn't been since the accident and neither has our family.

She is mean-spirited, sarcastic, loud and verbally abusive most of the time. She swears like the devil, is horrible to anyone in the service industry like waitresses or bank tellers, she is awful to her children and has no friends or any personal relationships that last more than a month or two. Men use her for her monthly cheque, she uses drugs and alcohol all the time, her hygiene is terrible and her house looks like an episode of "Hoarders" And that is just the personality issues!

She has no sense of smell or taste so she is always sick from food poisoning. She wears special glasses because she has double vision all the time. She has a very bad back, shoulders and feet issues because she just doesn't take care of herself. Her person hygiene is sporadic at the best of times. She has chronic headaches and there are a million other health issues, I've only named a few.

And me well I cry a lot. I worry about her constantly since I won't live forever and no one cares about her or for her. She still has rehab but I talked to them yesterday and they are talking about pulling out since she doesn't care to fix her life. I've tried to get counseling for myself but there doesn't seem to be much for me since she is now an adult living on her own.

TBI is not anything I would wish on my worst enemy. Good luck for all of those living with TBI and their families

Mom in Ontario

TBI  number one after 35 mph motorcycle accident at age 15, Spring of 1970. TBI had not been given that name recovery was quick.42 years later a bike accident resulted in a moderate TBI that changed my life. Sight, hearing, taste, smell are all altered. Two years later memory and vocabulary still full of holes.  Reality is skewed. 

Work and pleasure both lack meaningful consistency. Libido is suppressed. Skills are diminished. My new dog makes me happy.

In 2003 I had a 3 inch nail in my head for more than 24 hours. I lost my peripheral vision in my right eye. I have a lot of emotional problems, I am not social anymore, depressed all the time, sleeping habits are up and down. I have a constant ringing in my ear that get worse some days. If you want  https://depthtml.musc.edu/catalyst/2003/co5-9nail.htm check out my article. I am currently 30 years of age, I seem to be having more problems as time goes on. It is really hard to regulate my body temperature. I mean some mornings I will wake up sweating and it cold. It happens at work a lot and make me feel embrassed constantly sweating when it is cold outside. I am currently on 26 pill a day. I really hate medication but it does seem to help out the sharp pains that shoot down my neck. Where the nail entered my sinus cavity was totally rebuilt because of the air pressure. Life has not been easy, just like others some days are better than others. But I don't feel myself, I don't have a life, I have no motivation to accomplish anything which is defeating the purpose of me becoming happy again and enjoying life. No doctor won't listen to me, I have no insurance and barely can get by. It has affected everything about my life and its not fair.
 

At fifty years of age I am still struggling with frustrations about what I can do and the amount of time it takes to do things I've been doing for years. Its embarrassing and I wish I could say to people that I had a serious head injury at eighteen. Sounds like your husband is lucky to have you as I am lucky to have my wife who is so supportive.

My son had a moderate TBI 2.5 years ago.  He still has partial hearing loss and a metallic taste.  He had a fractured skull, multiple lobe contusions, hemorrages and epidural hematoma.  He came home from the hospital with personality and emotional changes. Two months later, he decided not to let this injury ruin his life and starting running 5 to 10 miles a day.  He trained for the "Tough Mudder" marathon.  Although he still has some deficits, I believe that all that blood pumping to his brain helped heal it.  I know it is not possible with some people, but if you are newly diagnosed try to get a lot of exercise.  It may be coincidental, but how else can you explain him being able to take the LSAT exam a year later and get into law school

I was 16 in 1991 and was in an accident I suffered a severe brain trauma and had trouble in school.  Years later I graduated and joined the military I started to notice that I would drink almost every night and often became very defensive when people would try to help.  Later in my thirties after loosing many friends I started to just blurt things out even posting them and not understanding why I would feel and say these thing. I'm 41 and I have noticed I'm getting worse I teach at a school and get aggravated when people on my team try to help. I have never tried to get help an I'm very scared. I have made an appointment to be seen but what do I say I have lived with this for so long I don't know how to react I feel lost and alone

This has been so helpful. I was feelin like the only one with on going problems with anger, and day to day routines. I sustained a tbi november 2006. Was kicked in the forehead by a horse. Fractured skull and some spine damage. My Dad wasthere and said it looked like someone took a hatchet to my head the fracture was clear to the brain how no bone ended up peircing my brain is beyond me. Eight years later some I know I have memory problems and some days are worse than others... Controling my anger and well all my emotions is really becoming a problem lashing out at the first person who crosses me. Even bigger problem trying to explain to someone that you have suffered a TBI and it isnt like II want to be unhappy or pissed off or easily angered. I dunno how many times I have been told oh you can controle it when really I dont feel I can... I have been to the point now at 27 I have to put my self in timeout just so I dont blow up. Larg crowds I cannot handle anymore... and some social situations and quickly disliking someone aand being less accepting of people. I stil, have good days and defiantly bad days, if there is a lot going on no concentration on what needs to be done. And for work they dont really allow the whole brain injury excuse when the accident was years ago, I know a lot of people are sick of gearing bout it but itsone of those dealsyou cantelk someone you still have problems with it years later and they just think its an excuse.... lots of frustration here

youare incredibly strong woman! you have just sparked something in me idk what, hope? i have had neumerous blows to head but nvr wentto er except once nevr told about this describe me totally

Hi all. I fell from a fire escape in 2006 and had a severe brain injury. Was in coma for 15 days and the hospital for 2 months total. I was lucky I was a second semester senior in high school at the time and was able to drop some classes and graduate. Then went to ucsb and graduated in 4 yrs. Wasn't a great student but I graduated! Life was good in college, except for I definitely had way less impulse control than normal when drinking. Trying to drink in moderation now. In the working world, life is a struggle bc my memory sucks. Having to give speeches and participate in meetings etc. is really tough. I haven't been fired yet, but it's bc I work for my Dad. I get stressed so I smoke cigarettes, but then I get the worst dark circles possible. I have contemplated suicide but know that is not the right answer. I have lost my best friends bc my personality has changed (but that's mostly bc of my drinking habits). I get angry when drunk, but also very irritated and annoyed when sober. I get depressed easily and don't really like too many ppl. My Dad is a great guy and nice person, but sometimes I just don't even like him. I am really considering leaving my family-centered life (no gf/wife or children) and becoming a recluse, but deep down I don't want to.