Comments on: When Lightning Strikes, You Have to Act

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:13:16 +0000

Dear Marge,
Your situation brings back a lot of memories. I am sorry you and your husband have gone through so much and have more to go through. I am also impressed with your positive attitude. Miracles DO happen. You have seen and experienced one.

When I was recovering, I felt as if I were traveling 33 rpm in an IPod world. Frankly, I still have days when I feel like that. Perhaps age is a factor, too?

Whatever the cause, when the brain is traveling at 33 rpm, normal IPod-world things can cause it to skip. That’s frustrating and tiring.

For me, it was exhausting to have too many people around at any one time. Groups of people tend to talk a lot, interrupt each other and ask each other lots of questions. It’s fun, but it’s also a lot of brain work to keep track of everything. My husband literally scheduled visits. But if a group dropped in we came up with a hand signal that we still use. The signal basically means, “I’m okay but need a few minutes of quiet.” My husband would then move the group (”Let’s go downstairs. I’ll show you my trains!”) Or I’d excuse myself to a quiet room and he wouldn’t worry because he knew I was okay and would return in about 20 minutes.

We stumbled upon other daily-life, practical things that helped–ideas that, frankly, aren’t in any “Road Through Recovery” brochure we’ve seen. I’d be happy to share them with you. Who knows? Maybe some would help?

Take care!
Barbara

By: marge robertson

marge robertson — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:18:56 +0000

Hi Barb – my husband(55) retired in April (completely healthy and no symptoms) and in August was fishing in Alaska when he fell to his knees in the boat. He had an aneurysm and miracles began to unfold – as it took 6 hours to airlift him to Seattle where he was in NICU for 4 weeks and then 2 weeks in rehab. He is scheduled to have reconstruction surgery in February to replace his piece of skull they need to remove to allow for swelling – should have been replaced by now however he then developed a blood clot in his leg which required 6 months of coumadin. He has weakness on his right side and by noon he needs to sleep and rest. Cognitively he is in tact.
I am wondering what is to most helpful things your family did for you during your recovery?
Thank you – Marge

By: Tim L

Tim L — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:28:50 +0000

Barb, as a nurse at the NBAC on 5th floor I’m really going to enjoy reading your blog. This is a perspective that I just don’t get to see when someone is in a coma and/or has a temp of 92 degrees.

Thank you,
Tim