Let's Talk - Sharing Our Stories Helps Us All

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow to replace the skull piece that was removed about six months ago.  As I have been preparing for surgery, I have been thinking about why I started my blog.  According to  the CDC, over 1.7 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury each year. That is an amazing number when compared to cancer, HIV/AIDs and spinal cord injuries.  With so many people affected by TBI, I feel very strongly that it is important for victims, families, caretakers and friends to share their stories.  Like so many other illnesses, no one expects to have it happen to them and when it does the ability to access information and resources related to TBI is invaluable.  

If you are reading this blog, and have been through similar challenges it would be great if you would comment and share your story.  Sharing your personal experiences is very helpful to me and others dealing with TBI issues.  It is important to know that you are not alone. 

Wishing everyone a great week!

  

Next Step in my Journey

In the coming week, I will be undergoing my fourth brain surgery in three years. My surgery involves putting in a synthetic skull piece to replace the bone that was removed last fall. While I am not looking forward to the upcoming surgery, I am focusing on the positive. 

This past weekend we had a day-long trip that involved about six hours of driving.  Between the bouncing around during the drive and walking around I was quickly reminded of why I need to go forward with the surgery. Walking around with part of your skull missing isn’t safe and it has most definitely limited my ability to be physically active. 

I had really wanted to participate in the recent Ride2Recovery Texas Challenge but wasn’t able to because of my upcoming surgery. I missed being part of the ride but was happy to be able to keep up with what was happening through Facebook. The posts definitely inspired me. My goal is to get back to biking and running within a few months of the surgery.

I am continually reminded that recovery from a brain injury is a journey that requires a lot of support. I am very fortunate to have an unbelievable family and a great network of friends. 

If you are reading this blog, please don’t hesitate to share your story or thoughts.  They are helpful to me and other TBI survivors, caretakers and family members.

Have a great week!

For more information on Ride 2 Recovery visit their website at https://ride2recovery.com/.

Upcoming Challenges

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about my future. My retirement from the fire service gave me an empty feeling and not long after moving to Texas, I was considering what my next job would be.    

Following the accident, my professional goals changed a lot. Prior to my accident, I honestly thought that I was ready to retire. I realized a few months after my accident how much my career meant to me. I was fortunate to be asked to join Project Rebirth as the First Responder Outreach Coordinator. Through Project Rebirth I have been able to assist others who are facing very difficult situations in their personal lives. One of the most rewarding things that I have done is to represent Project Rebirth during Ride2Recovery events. Not only have I made many new friends, but I have truly been inspired by so many who are facing significant challenges. I have come to realize that helping others is part of my DNA.

Even though my professional goals have been placed on hold over the last three years due my injury, my focus now is on how I can help others. After my upcoming surgery my goal is be even more involved with Project Rebirth and identify more ways that I can assist other TBI patients. 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

 -Albert Einstein

For more information on Project Rebirth, visit their website: http://www.projectrebirth.org/

Finishing My Education After My TBI

I began working on my bachelors degree in 2009 while still with Arlington County Fire Department.  I wasn’t sure that having my degree after I retired would have a substantial impact on any future employment but I personally felt it was an important thing to do.  About two months before I retired from Arlington Fire Department I had reached the point where I had only four classes to go and I was actually planning to address some of those classes through CLEP tests.  

Fast forward to March 2011 and my fall and suddenly my education, along with many other things, got put on hold.  About 7 months after my injury I decided that I wanted to finish my degree and signed up for a class.  Restarting school was one of the most challenging and difficult things that I have had to deal with since my injury but it is also one of the best decisions I made.  

I came close to dropping my first class because I found it very difficult to complete the reading and writing required to keep up with the class.  At the beginning of the class it was very hard to read even a few sentences.  I wasn’t able to focus my eyes while reading and had a hard time concentrating on what I was reading.  I was surprised when after a few weeks my ability to focus and concentrate on what I was reading got easier.  I found that the challenge I encountered advanced my cognitive level, probably much quicker than would have happened if I wasn’t taking the class.  My improvement was very important to me because after my accident I wasn’t sure what the future would hold.   

It has taken me almost two and a half years to complete my last four classes.  My progress was slowed down by a number of infections and surgeries.  My last surgery was in November.  I had to have the bone that had been replaced in my skull removed to address an ongoing MRSA infection.  I started my last class about two months after my surgery and got my final grade two days ago!  I feel like such a weight has been lifted off me and I am glad that I was able to complete my degree.

Today marks the third anniversary of my fall and the beginning of a new life that included a TBI.  In the next month, I will face my next challenge, the surgery to replace the skull piece that is missing.  I am hopeful that this is my last surgery. I am quite intimidated by my upcoming brain surgery, but I am hoping for a positive outcome. Accepting challenges is never easy and a TBI often makes it more difficult. 

While I have another surgery to deal with I am thankful for my family, friends and the fact that I have recovered to the point that I am able to write this blog.  I am looking forward to my family vacation, working with Project Rebirth, cycling with R2R and Cadence Cyclery, more blogging, fishing and helping others dealing with TBI.

Have a great weekend!  Don’t forget that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Help spread the word about TBI.  Please share your thoughts on this post. I always appreciate hearing from others about how they are dealing with their TBI.