Editor’s Note: Since taking on the task of writing and editing the Head and Brain Injuries website, I’ve had the privilege to meet more and more people who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries, and who’ve nevertheless been able to put their lives back together, albeit in a new way.
One such person is Brian. He said I could use his last name, but I’m not going to. He’s a real person, all right – we chat on Facebook. And in a way that just serves to emphasize the possibilities people have after suffering devastating brain injuries. When I mentioned that the Head and Brain Injuries website was featuring stories of hope for people who may be recently coping with recovery from a TBI, Brian offered this account of his injury and continuing recovery.
Brian’s Story
“Back in January, 1990, I was working in the oilfields of Northern BC, Canada. I was doing some standard maintenance on an oil well at a nice chill of minus 40 degrees. The line was plugged, so we were unplugging it.
“During the operation, the well blew up. (Through no fault of our own, just circumstances.) Parts of the wellhead flew by me, caving in my skull, and trapping me by the legs, while 3 miles of oil line depressurized onto me. It was a very horrific experience.
“Apparently I lost consciousness for about 1/2 hour. All I can remember is the helicopter landing to take me to the hospital (75 miles away), then another trip by jet to a major centre 800 miles away. I was covered from head to foot in crude oil (and smelling real bad of hydrogen sulfide gas).
“I was only in the hospital for about a week. Wow, short time you say? Well, it was, but from there my troubles were only beginning.
“I had swelling in the face (from the high pressure oil), teeth loosened, jaw and neck problems, hearing problems, slow left side, balance problems, poor short term memory, trouble understanding words, concentration problems, dyslexia, mood swings, depression, lack of sex drive (come to think of it, lack of any drive), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“The first year or so is just a blur of memory to me. It could have been from the heavy medications, or just my brain’s way of blocking the pain and shock. I could not remember even my wife’s or my pet dogs’ names!!!!
“People would speak to me. I could recognize the words, but I didn’t understand what they meant. I would get lost in sentences real easy, specially if the person used more than 10 words in a row. And I would lose all the meaning of the previous sentences if they just kept talking. It was a tough time.
“Over time I found that part of the problem was from damaged hearing on the left side. Signals from the ear to the brain were being scrambled. (That only showed up in a sophisticated computerized hearing test.)
“Over the years, I have had many different people helping with my rehab. I have had to relearn to read and do math. (That was a shock – going from an engineering status to not being able to do grade 3 math).
“I have learned to adapt to many of my problems – i.e. walking on soft ground, keeping my tasks to short duration, even how to pace myself at things so as to not overload my senses too much.
“I can still remember the pre-TBI days very clearly. Maybe that is bad, because I compare the deficits I have now too much with what and who I was. I am no longer the outgoing, hardworking achiever that I used to be.
“I am telling this because no doctors seem to tell you of all the troubles you might be up against. You lose many friends, and your family has a much heavier burden to carry caring for you.
“Roles in the family often have to switch without warning. Suddenly the wife, previously the homemaker, is forced into being the major breadwinner, and a caregiver at the same time.
“On the outside I look like an ordinary person, the scars hardly even show, but inside is much turmoil. Many of my old skills are not re-usable, the stamina does not allow it, the unclear thinking does not allow it, and yes, the lack of confidence in myself now does not allow it.
“Will I ever work again, I don’t know. Unforeseeable in the near future, and that is a major blow to my psyche.
“Yes, I have come a long way, and yes, there is further to go.”
Editor: Keep going, Brian. Just keep going! You inspire everyone who follows in your footsteps. Keep leaving those footprints.
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