In August of 1993, I was told I had a rare brain aneurysm. Prognosis was death to paralysis from the neck down. I past that surgery with 'flying colors'. Walked right out of the hospital six days later. Nine weeks later, my second time out driving.I was at a stop sign when someone 'rear ended 'me at about 15 to 20 mph. Whiplash was evident, however the incision from the brain surgery went from the top of my left ear, down and around in an "S" formation to just above the middle of my neck. I went back to work 3 months later, as a courier for Fed Ex. My route was an extended one so I drove 250 to 300 miles a day. 12 to 14 hours a day, 5 days a week. I would have spells of not knowing where I was or what I was doing. This got progressively worse. I tried for 14 months to convince the Doctors "something was wrong". They blew it off until one day I had a blackout spell that lasted 25 minutes. I finished my route, went home, called the Doctor ranting and raving.he finally took some test. Found out I was and apparently had been having "petite mall seizures". That ended my career as a professional driver. I didn't drive much at all from then on. Then July 1, 1998, I was taking a birthday card to my granddaughter, when a driver decided to make a turn without being able to see who or what was coming.I was coming. He T-Strap my vehicle. I made the news that day. I was hit so hard I slid over the top of the airbag and hit my head on the rear view mirror. I was knocked out. Spent 3 weeks in the hospital, another 7 to 10 days in a wheelchair, then a walker to a cane. There are still days I need a cane. Prior to all this "head" stuff I was diagnosis with MS. During this same time frame, my brother has a ruptured brain aneurysm, want in to repair it and found 5 more unruptured aneurysms in a cluster. My Mom, Dad, Grandma(who raised me 9 of the first 18 years of my life) died. As did my 2nd brother from a 2nd aneurysm in the aorta. My best friend's 24 year old son died of cancer, my only neighbor died. My friend and favorite sister-in-law died fighting the return of breast cancer. Her 38 year old son, my nephew died not even a year later of a heart attack. Even my cat and dog died during this time. Of course, as some of you know, the father of my children died last week. As did my daughter-in-law's father, two days after my children's father. My family is in total denial with my TBI and I have been on my own since day one with the residual effects of it. I have come a long way by myself. Then I got on the internet, come to find out.I am not crazy at all. Nor am I use to the understanding and compassion of all my new friends. So bare with me as I once again readjust my thinking mode. I do have a terrible time with headaches, on those days I live in the bathtub(soaking my head) and on pain medication that use to be given in a hospital that they now prescribe to take at home. So, if I am silent for a few days, more than likely that is why.
Update.February 23, 2003
How time flies.things are going better physically, emotionally and spiritually.I still have my days when I want to hide from all the world. Many things have happened since I joined the list. My daughter married, has had two babiesand my oldest son is expecting their first. So that has kept me busy and my mind off my own situation. I do struggle to get the support group up and running again. I really miss some of the folks I first met when I started coming to this group. I have been gone for awhile so many of the faces are not here and so many changes.
Email Melody
