Lately, I question everything I do because I forget. You see, in 2012, I suffered severe head trauma that doctors missed. Since then, I had several hypertensive crises and mini-strokes with residual weakness. The first stroke, two months after the head injury was because doctors continued the meds that raised my blood pressure and caused the head injury.
In 2017, a neurologist finally diagnosed my symptoms as classic head trauma. Before that, I carried a diagnosis of “abnormal behavior,” PTSD and HTN. Little mention of the hypertensive crisis or stroke which I think my PCP at that time did not believe was real. I had to change doctors to get the care I needed. In July, I will meet with a brain trauma specialist who I hope will help me.
What was it like to live with undiagnosed brain injury? Painful, very traumatic and destructive to my life and relationships. In the early days after the head injury, I woke up and often forgot to get out of bed. Or I would get out of bed and sit in a chair by the window for hours without moving. I would forget to wash my face, bath, get dressed and even eat. Activities of daily living (ADLs) were challenging, and I was alone without help. Took me 3-5 times as long to do simple tasks.
I also dreaded going out in public because I didn’t want anyone to know I was different. Living in my head and overwhelming fatigue made me an invalid.
I knew something was wrong but couldn’t figure it out. Deep down I suspected brain injury but didn’t want it known. I feared it would be the end of my career and it was.
This post has no title because I’m not sure where it’s going. Maybe it’s an explanation for why I haven’t followed through on many stories or why I have imprisoned myself. Or perhaps it’s the beginning of my recovery.
Be patient as this story slowly unfolds. Last year, I was in an extremely dark place when I found a flashlight.
Source of Images: Pinterest
Dear Angela,
very sorry to learn about this.
Healing hugs and cordial regards
Andreas
PS: Health is a precious good. I can tell from my experience with leucemia in 1998
Thank you Andreas. As you know healing is not linear and I still have a long road ahead. Part of it is re-learning good habits to replace the bad ones I developed when I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.
You will manage this! I´m convinced. You´re much stronger than you might think.
My best wishes are with you!
Remember you have a guardian angel, Angela, who much cares about you and will see you healed. xxx
Thank you, Pete. I do remember 😉
Leaving coming up with soothing, uplifting, mealy-mouthed, and comforting clichés to other people, tell me: Still moving to Africa? You do? Here’s some help…………………..
https://www.africanexponent.com/post/7764-top-10-cheapest-african-countries-to-live-or-retire
http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/01/17/8-best-places-black-people-live/
And in case you leave Africa for what it is……………….
https://www.theroot.com/5-places-black-people-can-move-to-when-they-ve-had-enou-1790860514
Your links made me more excited. As luck would have it, another friend would like to vacation there so we may go together as soon this year.
I ask God to heal you soon
Ty 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about your illness Angela! You had a lot of tragedy in your life. I know you are a strong lady, but do you attend some kind of support group? When you meet with your neurologist I’m hopeful between the two of you a diagnosis and treatment will happen. You’re in my thoughts and prays!
Thank you Ruddy. No the diagnosis was missed and I was misdiagnosed so I received no support until 2017 when I got therapy to develop strategies that would help my memory.
Many of the symptoms sound like depression but they were not from depression. I had neuropsy testing.