Eating Well to Be Well

I was stumbling along on Shine via Yahoo.com this morning while waiting to see if my migraine would settle or erupt. Thought this was a pretty simple article that was able to wrap up a pretty complex topic. Eating well can be extremely difficult for anyone. Nobody's perfect. Changing learned habits are often impossible to break - and I'm not one to say things are impossible. But it can often be the first step to good health.

One thing I can be thankful for is that I've had a reset button pushed on my body and my appetite. As I've recovered, I've tried to get used to having some of the 'better' foods always around and learning what choices would be better (and just as easy) to buy at the store. I wasn't craving anything for a long time and I wouldn't ever get hungry. I got a second chance to learn how to worship my body as the temple it truly ought to be... and most certainly is, obviously!!

The last topic of caffeine is such a delicate one, especially after brain injuries. However, when I tried to mention that my mom should try to eat more veggies than she does, I know the first thing she yammered out was "I'M NOT GIVING UP CAFFEINE!!" Ok... Nobody's pressing that you had to, Mom. I never got on the coffee boat, but it's as tough to quit as smoking. So I don't feel I'm as well versed as I should be to go suggesting any particulars about the rather touchy subject! :)

Here's the article, 4 Ways Your Eating Habits Can Make You Happier:

Many people seeking help for mental health issues look first to chemical intervention in the form of a medication. There is another chemical intervention which you can utilize yourself - your diet. Having a healthy diet is crucial when trying to fight for your mental health, especially where mood disorders are concerned. How can dietary changes affect depression, anxiety and mood swings?

Good mental health is about maintaining balance, in your thoughts, in your actions and especially in your emotions. When addressing nutrition for mental health it is important to understand how food nourishes and fuels your body as well as the part it plays in providing your body with necessary nutrients for maintaining that balance that it is important for peace of mind.


1. Complex Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy. Your body will burn carbohydrates first before turning to protein or fats. A lack of energy sources in the body will result in the body shutting down and altering activity levels. People who are chronically tired often feel sad and hopeless as a result. To keep your emotions on an even keel it is important to have a slow steady stream of carbohydrates broken down and made available in the bloodstream for energy.

People struggling with depression and/or mood swings often rely heavily on simple carbohydrates (sugars) rather than complex carbohydrates (starches). Simple carbohydrates (candies, table sugar, honey, sodas, fruits, milk products) break down quickly in the bloodstream and hit it with a bang that provides immediate energy. This is why they are preferred by people with depression. However, what goes up must come down, usually with the same speed and intensity. The surge of energy is followed by a crash when the sugar is quickly burned up. This crash exacerbates depression, fatigue, impaired concentration and memory and irritability. However, all simple carbohydrates are not equal. There is a difference between the simplest carbohydrates like table sugar, sodas and candies which are referred to as "empty calories" because they provide so much glucose, an easily broken down form of sugar, and no nutritional value. Compare these with fruits and milk products whose sugars (fructose and galactose respectively) are somewhat harder to break down, enter the bloodstream a bit more gradually and have a somewhat milder crash and provide significant nutrition such as vitamin C and calcium. If you are craving something sweet have an apple or orange rather than a candy bar.

Complex carbohydrates (whole grains, starchy vegetables and beans) are even harder for the body to metabolize and provide and slow, constant stream of fuel for the body's energy demands. This avoids the peaks and crashes of the simple carbohydrates. Whole grains also provide lots of B vitamins which calm and stabilize the mood and help your body metabolize carbohydrates for increased energy.


2. Proteins

It is important to eat high quality proteins like chicken, fish, turkey, soy, dairy products and beans. (I am a very big fan of beans. They are usually high in protein, low in fat and high in fiber.) Proteins are made of amino acids. Your body uses amino acids to make neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals (like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA) are the chemicals which antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications) seek to increase to improve your mood and calm you. Chicken and turkey are also high in tryptophan, which the body also uses to make serotonin, one of the primary neurotransmitters for lifting and calming the mood. Running short on these neurotransmitters results in depression, irritability, difficulty thinking and remembering, insomnia, fatigue and anxiety. Having sufficient stores of these neurotransmitters available to the brain helps it regulate emotions and thinking. Providing your body with the necessary ingredients to manufacture these neurotransmitters is vital for improving your mental health and keeping things in balance.


3. Fats

The benefits of a low fat diet for fighting weight gain and heart disease have been highly touted. However, many don't realize that limiting your fat intake too severely of healthy fats can result in serious mood changes, irritability and aggression. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish have been found to help stabilize mood swings and decrease stress. "Good fats" burn clean in the bloodstream compared to "bad fats" which clog the arteries and narrow the blood vessels. Good fats include olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocadoes and fish. Exchange that fried chicken for a grilled salmon. Replace a mayonnaise dressing with an olive oil and vinegar splash.


4. Caffeine

It's always amazing to me to find people struggling with serious anxiety problems who are still drinking a significant amount of caffeine everyday. Since I don't drink caffeine on a regular basis I have no tolerance for it and it literally makes me shake when I do drink it. I can't imagine throwing that in on top of an anxiety problem. If anxiety is the problem, I would eliminate caffeine all together and see if it helps.

For people with mood disorders, caffeine provides a serious rush of energy, but like simple carbohydrates (sugars) you crash when it wears off. This peak and crash pattern is not good for people trying to stabilize mood swings and the crash will exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Easier

Things I would like to know:

1) Is there an easier way to blog?

2) What easy tips do you have?
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I took this picture of my Grandmother sitting on the steps of the BPL 8.09


Easier.

That’s the name of the game. I think it is a main focus of anyone’s normal life, mainly brought to attention when their life begins to feel overwhelming. However, when recovering from a head injury – as severe or minor as it may be – the object of simplification quickly becomes front and center. How can things be… easier?

I reflect a lot. I write to help me reflect. I also really enjoy talking, so much I fear I’ve never grown out of that teenage girl phase! For a while, I had trouble stringing thoughts together to have a conversation. So writing gave me more time to put those thoughts somewhat together, change around my grammar, and look up words that I ‘misplaced’ definitions to. Right now, I’m reflecting on how much I’ve been able to get back over the last two years.

November 7, 2007 I had no idea how much I was going to go through. Often I heard the two year mark was what I should look forward to, when I would be the closest to ‘me’ that I would ever get. As my first year passed, I tried to celebrate. As my 18 month anniversary came, I took myself to a Red Sox game as a reward. I feel it’s important to reward yourself for anything you put your time into; I think it’s important to take your vacation time and spend money on a trip after working for weeks on end. So as two years came up on me, I’ve been shocked to find myself getting immediately upset at the very thought of it.

I’ve felt extremely stagnant, as I mentioned. I have been trying to find a job with every ounce of energy. I have fallen so far behind on my current course that I’d be foolish to try to catch up. And I’m right back to that awful phrase I had to learn two years ago: I just can’t.

What happens when I can’t do it all? Well let me tell you a quick story: I got pretty sick on Thursday, which happens. I wasn’t able to sleep Wednesday night. My father picked me up Thursday morning so I could drop him off at work and then drive to RI for neurofeedback. By the time we got to Braintree (about half hour from my door to his office) I was about to vomit. I hadn’t had a migraine in about a week while I made sure I would sleep two hours after every 5 hours being awake – and this one was over due. So I took my Axert and drove to the mall down the road to get away from the droning sounds of the school buses next to my dad’s work. I stayed there for an hour before I could drive to RI. On my way back, I tried to sleep in the car for a couple hours before taking the T back to Boston at 5 pm. I was miserable.

I got home and I eventually fell asleep. I slept all Friday. I slept all Saturday. I slept most of today and I’ve got a little bit of a headache. One bad day and poof! I’m down for the count.

Today, I’ve decided I need to let go. I have tried to find a pace and stick with it, but this pace is too much for me right now. So I am in need of simplifying. I am in need of getting back to the trivial things in life – like having food to eat. Everything else will just have to wait. And hopefully nobody will die because I couldn’t do my homework. Hopefully nobody will die because I don’t have a job yet. Hopefully I can make things easier so I can begin to congratulate myself on how much I have actually accomplished in the last two years, rather than come to tears because I am once again stagnant.

I can do math in my head.
I can write.
I can spell.
I can have a conversation.
I can learn.
I can understand complex medical jargon.
I can take out my own trash.
I can listen to music.
I can see well.
I can remember without writing every little thing down.
I got my freakin’ pharmacist license.
I can read a diagram and put things together.
I can be thankful.
I can love.
I can make things easier.

Everything else will come when it’s time. When it’s my time to have things, they’ll fall into place.

I just... ugh

I feel incredibly stagnant.

I have felt like I just need a door to open somewhere. Somewhere, just a crack, I’ll kick it all the way open myself. I need a J.O.B. I need one A.S.A.P. I need something promising to happen to me. I give and give and pray and put in a lot of effort towards wishing other people well, sometimes I just wallow a bit and wonder, “ok, I really am happy and all, but what about me?! When may I expect something back, when will it be my turn to receive?!” So when I feel like this, I resort to the only logical thing – giving more.

I passed my law exam and finally got my pharmacist license. [Uh, now what?] I finished the makeup homework from my course that I almost failed. And promptly, I was down for the count. Three endless weeks of trying to sleep, tending to migraines, and doing my best to hope it’ll pass sooner than later. Four days of no sleep followed by three days of incapacitated migraine, then a few hours of rest only to battle a constant burden of being uncomfortable. And I think the streak ended yesterday. So I’m writing.

The little time in between this battling, I was redirecting my attention back to what matters most to me. People. I have an extraordinary amount of love to give and I have an immeasurable amount of compassion for people. I would try my best to spend one-on-one time with some of my friends. It tires me out a bunch but it is honestly the best investment of my time when I’m not able to do much else. Not only am I giving my individual attention to them and sharing my woes intimately with them, I am keeping myself connected.

I luckily spoke with my friend from high school – who I have always admired since high school band. I read her blog daily and am so amazed that I never knew how incredible she was at writing. I asked her how she gets the energy to remind her self to write every day, and she said “it’s what I’m passionate about.” How did I not know this? I have been passionate about writing since I could hold a crayon and squiggle!

I never want to comment on her blog, because I don’t want to link my blog to it and thus pull the curtain off my anonymity. It’s important that I have a place to talk about my struggles in an uncensored and candid forum. However, I shared my blog with her because she is so candid with her life and I have utmost respect for her passion. I comment on her facebook instead, or tell her through a private message what I thought about her writing. And after talking with her two nights ago, she said something completely profound to me: Start writing again.

Well, I do… and sometimes all the time. But about things that are trivial – like mommy issues or why I find all boys to be duds and how to break up with them without breaking their hearts. Things that ruminate in my head that I don’t really care about but I pay mind because it feels like these things need to be settled and dealt with to be cast aside. However, I don’t think writing about these things to deal with the ‘here and now’ stuff is moving me in any direction – but when I read about concussions and reasons why LENS helps my vision and why my resting heart rate is consistently at 130… I want to move forward, I want to find a way to be creative and announce it to the world and to educate and inspire. I want to be the genius I used to be and I want the endurance to be that genius at all hours of the day without getting tired or falling short to a migraine.

I am three weeks behind on my homework – yes, after finally getting caught up I went down for the count! I am eleven assignments behind. ELEVEN. But nobody’s dead yet. And I think I just needed to find something to write about. I needed to find a little fire. I needed to read about what I’m passionate about; to get excited about solving the mystery of concussions and brain injuries and the desire to teach the world and make it a better place. So I’m incredibly behind and I’m feeling absolutely stagnant, but I needed to write.

Thanks, C. You’ve done more than you can imagine. More than most. Although, I can’t promise everything will now be hunky-dory.

I am Finally

A Registered Pharmacist in MA!!! I passed my law exam and was issued my license on 9-9-09 :) Thank Goodness!! This is a MAJOR milestone for me. I can now begin looking for legit jobs... however, as big of a milestone as it is, it may still be a while until I'm actually working again. But regardless, this is HUGE!

I'm trying to get caught up with all my school work. After this month, hopefully I'll be in a groove where I can come by and begin putting some more helpful tools and suggestions here. Slowly but surely, it'll happen.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. I hope those who come by and leave a note know how much I appreciate it. I think of you often and hope you've all been making some strides towards comfort in your recoveries, too.

Rollercoaster... can we have more coast and less roller, please?

Sorry for the two month hiatus, lets see if I can explain. To make it easy (for you or me?)... or possibly to add a little dimension and fun to this post (again, for you or me?)... we'll try a list format!

June 1: Started two classes - Lifespan development and History of Psychology
Way too much work for me to accomplish
Work submitted is A+ ... yay!
Work submitted late is 0 ... boo!
Work not submitted is 0 ... boo boo!
Played 'Ketchup' all three months
Ended Lifespan course with a 76%... a C... and I'm thankful.
I took Lifespan 4 years ago and ended with an A
Ended History with a 43%
Did not complete 7 assignments, one being a 10 page paper worth 40%
Talked to financial aid
Talked to Advising
Talked to disability
Talked to professor
Everything will be ok
Take out the 7 missed assignments, I had an A
Prof gave me an incomplete and until Oct 5 to complete these assignments
Yay!
Enrolling in only ONE course for next quarter
I found a shadow in my shower, in the shape of a heart
...what else???...

Scrapping down after running out of money
Down to 98 pounds... so much for trying to stay around 107
Explored my attachment style in one of my papers - I have mommy issues
Explored my personality in another paper - I'm pretty cool
Still going to RI once every two weeks to get LENS
Started a medication that my neurologist could lose his license over if audited
First 13 days, I didn't have a migraine - just a few faint headaches
That's a miracle
Last month wasn't so bad other than the stress of incomplete school work
Needed to schedule an appt with vocation rehab... like 3 months ago??
Saved all my bday money to retake my Law exam to be licensed
$75, finally
Hadn't heard about my app for 6 weeks, so I called
$75 was the processing fee
I needed $185 for the actual exam - seriously?
If I can't figure that out, I shouldn't be allowed to take it
Needed a job to make money to take exam
Needed to take and pass exam to get a job
Uh? Anything wrong with the past two statements?
Less eating = more money = money for exam
Taking law exam Sept 3rd... prayers accepted in any form

I saw the fireworks on July 4th over the Charles in Boston
... I know there's more??...
My apartment's a mess
I became pretty isolated for a little while to figure out school and exam
Was pretty apathetic about anything or anyone else's life, or new house, or new car
When I'm upset... I look happy and smiley... don't you worry!
I gave up in trying to save the world for now
I need to belong to an institution to get a grant
My school doesn't have a place for me
I applied to some jobs and its competitive and I don't have my law exam yet
I applied to a couple small jobs, and I'm overqualified
I asked around hoping someone would want to do research with me and they don't care
So I'll wait until I'm in a better place w people to support research
Whatever
I tried sushi for the first time courtesy of my friend Caleb from HS, who's now a cook

... anything fun??...
I went to a bachelorette party with my highschool girls
We had glow bracelets
Every guy asks to have one
My response "what will I get out of giving you one?"
No wonder I can't find a relationship
Their reply "... fill in blank here..."
Which translates "I won't follow through on anything... I should get one for free"
I no longer have patience for "You like to give and I like to take"
I'm absolutely bitter
My girls met guys and blew off the cab I found, but I had no money to pay
He wouldn't let me walk 45 minutes home
Drove me for free while I cried hysterically in public for the first time
Gave all four glow bracelets to the cab driver for his daughters
He deserved so much more than glow bracelets
Still shamelessly humbled by the generosity of a stranger without much to give

...ummm, anything else?...
Maybe that I'm really sorry
This blog hasn't been what I had intended
And still hope for
my Tough Boy Initiative hasn't been ground breaking for anyone
And certainly won't get me a gig public speaking around the world about this
Which I would love to do

Coincidences

For my birthday, I cruised Barnes and Noble. Being around books and reading 20 or so pages from any book in there is my way to relax when my migraines aren't subsiding or my nerves won't calm down. Seeing as I hadn't slept in days and needed to catch up on all my homework that I fell behind on... I went to calm down in the book store.

I came across a book by Robert Moss, which I bought as my bday gift :) It's called The Three "Only" Things: Tapping the Power of Dreams, Coincidence, and Imagination

In the 20 pages I read before deciding to buy it, I read all about instances of coincidence. Some might think this is a little hokey-poky... and I respect that. But if I could tell you some of the things that have been going on since my accident that are just way too perfectly timed to be just a coincidence - you might think differently.

These past two or three weeks alone, I have had some of the most BIZARRE coincidences. Including having a friend from 2005 whom I met during a week long Habitat for Humanity build (in TX) find me on a networking site... the coincidence is that I had completely been thinking about my trip out there and thinking about how I wish I hadn't lost touch while clearing out the numbers in my cellphone DAYS before he found me.

Another was spotting a book that caught my eye - went over and turns out it is EXACTLY who I need to teach me a ton of things that will help me 'change the world' with my research. The coincidences: first page I started to read announced that her therapist shared my lovely first name; it discusses the exact things I had just stumbled on that day and needed more info on; and in one chapter she talked about her summer vacations - IN MY HOMETOWN?! huh??

Last example I'll throw out there. I was trying to find an objective measure for my research on June 25th - found something that might work... might not be it... looking around the cite to see where they're located? Totally came across a convention they were showing this $5,000 machine at: where else but in Boston, at the nursing convention that was held... dun dun dun... June 25th and 26th. (and I still didn't make it down there...)

So the last three days I've been thinking of someone who I held very close to me for many years in college. A few nights ago, I had the best dream reliving some of the time I spent with this person. I haven't felt so comforted and safe in a long time... it was a really great dream where I just couldn't stop smiling and didn't want to wake up. But I have no idea what made me think of this person. Made me miss them, though. A ton. These coincidences lately have made me also paranoid (haha!) I'm going to run into them and not be able to see them because my vision stinks... or I'd actually see them again or hear from them and not know what to say... or they wouldn't recognize me... or it would hurt all over again.

But nothing yet, and maybe I'm just freaking myself out :) hehe With all honesty, though, I'd love to hear from them more than anything these past few days. Or at least send some good Karma their way :)

I'm About to Change the World

What this little Tough Girl (aka: ME!) needs:

1) Research Funding

2) Objective measure of variables of interest that will bring medicine and neuropsychology together

3) Participants with verified symptoms of interest from a recognized diagnosis

4) Connections to the NHL/MLB/NFL/Army to test some participants who have sustained obvious concussions


So how do you feel about that??

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I'm on to something big. Actually, no. Correction: I'm on to something GINORMOUS. (yes, that's a real word as of the 2007 copyright of Merriam-Webster's Dictionary).

I've put together a ton of information. I just haven't been able to put it into a concise readable document yet. I have support from a few professors and even my neuropsychologist that thinks I have a legit clinical trial on my hands... and will train me on his equipment to do the work... Phew!

Also, my neuropharm advisor thinks I'm on to something he hasn't been considering in his mTBI research. And I think he's going to let me do some work in his lab to prove a connection between certain variables and how it affects learning and memory. But that isn't working with people, it's working with Murine rats.

Over my recovery, I would have more and more times where I would feel this brilliant. But it would only last a day... once every two months. I call them EUREKA moments!! In essence, I feel like I could cure cancer. And not because I'm manic and having grandiose delusions, but because I'm legitimately wicked smaht.

This Eureka moment has been going on for about a month. Straight. Well, with a few days of exhaustion in between.

I've fallen extremely behind on my psychology classes. As of June 1st, my work load tripled. I'm at the point where I could probably sustain a job of SOME sort (wooo!!) but I want my energy to be pumped into this research. I think I could change the world this this. But it's got to be pro bono because I'm not really associated on a payroll with anyone who would be open to these kinds of new projects.

But I'm completely running on fumes in my financial realm (after maxing out both my credit cards and being denied further credit). But I don't want to just give someone else the idea - because there are so many intricate details that not only relate to psychology, but will pull in neurologist and pharmacy and the healthcare community could begin to see (and fucking believe!!...'scuz the swear) the problems going on in brain injuries that have NO MEDICALLY OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE. I don't want anything to be missed and not considered.

I want to cater to people who are working their hardest to do just as much as they can do and are frustrated. I want to cater to people who look so great. I want to do this for people who are told there's nothing wrong with them and they need to "lower their standards for themselves and the doctor's who are treating them." I want to give them the data that proves that the doctor's actually shouldn't be lowering their own standards because they are working with a patient that is extremely smart.

I just want to help people feel better. And it's coming together. I just have a few more steps to go.

I'm about to change the world. But I still need a little help... If you have any ideas - let me know!!!! PLEASE!!! Even your supportive prayers will be heard :) and thank you in advance!!

Some Fantastic Articles Involving mTBI

One thing that I really like about all the 'new' data being published about concussions... it spans a really broad area of health care. From rehab, to neurology, to psychology, and also on the molecular level. And I love the molecular level.

Understanding the nicks and knacks of different proteins and hormones and cytokine or prostanglandin mechanisms and pathways... there's so much to know. There's so much that is unexplored!


Here are a few articles discussing the Tau protein found to accumulate and be part of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE has been found in post-mortem brains which were subject to multiple concussions throughout a lifetime. In particular, from football players.


This is an EXCELLENT article written Mark Kram for the Philadelphia Daily News:
Deadly Aftershocks


Here's a pretty awesome picture showing the differences in a 61-yr old brain that hasn't experienced concussion in comparison to two 45-yr old brains (from the men in the story above) who experienced multiple concussions. This is to show you the damage caused by the tau protein they're talking about. (I haven't figured out how to get it to show as a picture instead of just a link... sorry!)
Click here for picture!


In addition, the daily news reports NFL concussion management standards, outlined recently - May 2007:
Special report: Deadly aftershocks: NFL concussion management

They're interested in protecting players from being Tough Boys...

The NFL will establish a "whistle blower" system so that anyone may anonymously report any incident in which a doctor is pressured to return a player to play from a concussion or that a player with a concussion is pressured to play.

Keith Primeau, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey talks about his experience with post concussion symptoms on the USAToday site:
Former NHL star Primeau warns of concussion risks, by Janice Lloyd

He's among the athletes who have agreed to help the Sports Legacy Institute and pledged their brains after they die to the Center for Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University.


To move North a little. Dr. Michael Cusimano, a neurosurgeon in Toronto, did a little digging among hockey staffing and young players. United Press International (UPI) had a quick summary of it here: Many in hockey don't understand concussion

The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, found:

-- Up to two-thirds of players had the mistaken impression a player must lose consciousness to have suffered a concussion.

-- One-quarter of adults and up to half of children could not identify any symptoms of a concussion or could name only one symptom of a concussion.

-- About one-half of players and one-fifth of adults mistakenly believed concussions are treated with medication or physical therapy.

-- About one-quarter of all players did not know if an athlete experiencing symptoms of a concussion should continue playing (they shouldn't).

Just a little reading I thought I'd share.
Beautiful day out today! Wish I could enjoy it all day! (but I got a few good spurts of enjoyment out of it!)

Twitter

I joined twitter.

http://twitter.com/NEdream26

Why?

Because it is quick. When I sign in to write - there's so much I want to write. So I either A) Write a ton!, or B) Don't write.

Also, people ask me quite often, "so what's your average day like?" Or, "how often do you get migraines?" To be honest, all my energy was taken away from jotting on my calendar in the kitchen and put towards my school work. I stopped keeping track. So if I'm not sleeping that night, and I'm up with a migraine (not because anyone who wants to 'follow' me will care)... its a quick thing I can jot down. And every so once in a while, I'm tempted to say, "I don't think I've had a migraine all month..." but in reality I was asked on a day I didn't have one and probably just don't remember it.

Quick. We'll see if it's actually more or less work. We'll see if it becomes just one more thing to do or if it actually is a faster, less involved way for me to keep a journal of my recovery.

Sorry I've been busy and overwhelmed and trying to get a life going... I haven't reported much! But you can find me on Twitter! http://twitter.com/NEdream26

The updates should come up on the right side bar where all the information links are... if I did it right??

Hope you're all well!!

Stroke of Insight Video - Jill Bolte Taylor

I want to be the Jill Bolte Taylor of Concussions.



This is such a great video featured on Ted.com.


I've learned so much about all angles of the brain. And today was just a great day where I had a lot of great conversation with some of my pharmacy professors - and a lot of talk about my recovery. Funny to hear that they have been talking about me, too!

My neuropharmacology professor, who I did research with a few years ago, had just told my story yesterday apparently. His sister in law was talking about her "type A - I'm going to conquer the world - there is nothing I can't accomplish" son who was just in a car accident... and he looks ok but his life is impossible to resume. I was humbled to hear that he used me as a respectable same-case example. I've completely looked up to him over the seven years I've known him. I must have intuitively known he was thinking about me!

He is actually working on mTBI stuff right now, which is pretty cool. I have some crazy ideas to what might be going on... but obviously have to be studied. If there were anyone on earth to take my thoughts and get the answers - it'd be this man, after publishing his 240th accredited journal article. He has a heart of gold and listens to me try to figure things out without knowing some intricate details about neurotransmitters that would greatly change how they react or affect other neuronal processes.

I believe a lot of the changes that happen in strokes are very similar to what happens when you're hit in the head or have whiplash. In a discussion with my neuropharm professor he mentioned that he's found a lot of chemical changes that occur in the brain after a stroke. He's studied some drugs around it, too. Nothing really speeds up recovery, only a potential for preventing damage. However, nobody thinks they'll have a stroke and nobody thinks they'll get hit in the head! Tough to prepare for something that 'would never happen to you!'

It's a great day today :)

Call for Backup

Tough Boy tip of the day:

1) When things are spiraling, call someone who really won't mind sweeping, dusting, doing laundry, etc.

2) Wear those sunglasses! You're not a solar unit that gains energy when basking in those rays!!

3) Don't ever let your grocery cart look like mine..........

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As you recover - you'll find some more comfort than before, you'll experience a longer 'better day,' maybe have some more better days each month, and you will SLOWLY feel a bigger push to just be you again!

I've felt this push a lot. I know there are things that are better. I would like to say I have more energy. I would like to say I'm closer than ever before - which I am, but I still have a ways to go.

The last few weeks I've been looking around at my apartment and started to realize that my energy is still being completely depleted at the end of each day. I might be completing my assignments (barely) on time. I might be doing more math, I might be a faster reader, I might be having better conversations and feeling like I have more energy to have an educated life again. But in all honesty, and naturally, I have let other things fall by the wayside while my priorities changed.

The order of my apartment is important for me to find things. It's important so I feel I have some structure. It's important so I can recover without losing pieces, defaulting my credit, or getting mice in my house. And often, when things are a DISASTER - I feel less put together myself. My health slips, the care of my skin slips, if I can feed myself comes out when my weight slips, my relationships with friends and family slips, and it was very hard to see it happening until everything looked as if I was now a disaster!

My 'income' right now is coming from my psych program. The energy I have been pummeling into my assignments has been redistributed from the energy I had for self-care. But I had gotten so disorganized... I had to call for backup.

Thank goodness for the people in your life that won't just 'say' "if you need something, call" and then disappoint. Thank goodness for the people who don't question why you need help putting your clean laundry away. Thank goodness for the people who will put your dishes into the dishwasher and press start. Thank goodness for the people who will listen to you verbally vomit about your life and whats on your mind and whats building up and not hold judgement or rumor or make you feel like they don't care.

Thank goodness for my friend, Maria. I've known her since I was about three years old, we lost touch for years when we went to college and recently keep in touch every few months. But she is one of these people. Not many exist.

I've stopped therapy in RI for a little while - I need to put my life back together. Cleaning was just the start. I need the energy to get through my course and do the final project. I need the energy to reapply for accommodations to retake my law exam. I need the energy that was being spent on going home, then going to RI, then coming back... just for a few minutes of LENS therapy. Although, I'm torn. I know I need it. I go there because its too much to start all over. I go there because of my history of them documenting my recovery. And starting over is just so exhausting. But I can come back when I think I can...

I think my energy is increasing. But the level of my functioning is also increasing and eating off any of the extra that I've gained. So I'm only capable of doing X amount of things still. I could do that amount when I had Y amount of energy. But as I recover I have a little more - Y + Z amount of energy. But I'm still only capable of doing X amount of things. So where's Z energy going??

I think I can account Z energy being allotted towards the 'simple' functions that are 'reconnecting' in my brain. I might not be doing more things, but I'm doing things more efficiently. Like my memory. Recognizing faces. Shortcuts. Remembering things I talked about with someone a while ago that relates to a conversation I have today. Being able to follow a conversation and not have to stop and ask what a word means - its understood rather than dwelling on it. But that little detail of remembering a definition without having to look it up, in the flow of a conversation IS IMPROVEMENT! It does take energy though...

SO that's my rant. Call for backup and get back on track!

Happy Spring!

How Strong Can I Be - blog highlight

ResilientHeart writes a ton about her journey through finding resources and struggling to understand her 'new self' following mTBI. Really, it's the fight of her life.

Today, she wrote a beautiful post titled How Strong Can I Be. It wraps up some of the frustration and grief that is often experienced on the road to recovery. Check it out!

Despite the Boston Celtics Loss today, Brian Scalabrine makes my Headlines!

Logo taken from NBA.com in honor of

playoffs beginning for the reigning champs

All Tough Boys can learn a little something from Boston Celtics' Brian Scalabrine's Story:

1) Post-concussion syndrome isn't very understood - but it isn't very fun either.

2) When people are injured, often physical signs are easy to see. With concussions - be honest with yourself and others on how your feeling.

3) You will get better. It can get worse. But it slowly and gradually gets better.

4) Recovery happens. You often can't push it.

5) Your temperament might change. Scalabrine's wife tracks his moods!!

6) Think positive. Even optimists benefit from support!!

7) Go Celtics :)

8) Go Bruins :) [and please be gentle... despite playoffs...]

9) Go Sox :)
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I saw this article about Brian Scalabrine of the Boston Celtics from Boston Herald.com a few days ago and was EXCITED!! I have been curious about Scalabrine's concussion since it happened in February - announcing him BENCHED FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?!?!!

Don't get me wrong, I haven't had a lot of juice 'upstairs' in my own head for a while to really pay attention to every detail in the sports world... so I didn't go digging for information. I'm still waiting to hear if Lugo, from the Red Sox, might have had some more serious complications from a concussion last season that has led him to being MIA most of this season (in conjunction with other injuries, etc). Of course, I'm still wondering!

With Boston sports playoffs just off the hook in my back yard - and I want SO badly to pay attention to all of it - this article just made me thrilled to hear about Scalabrine finally!!

And well - the verdict - he has PCS. And the prognosis - well, uhhh - wait and see? Time and rest? Here are some quotes I liked from the article:

Can a touch of pain lead to a spiral away from normal living?:

When the symptoms were at their worst, and Scalabrine suffered from repeated headaches and dizziness that interfered with basic comforts like sleeping or reading a book

Coach Doc Rivers said:

“I just wanted him to make sure that he’s being honest with himself. It’s different from other injuries, where you can look at someone like Kevin(Garnett) and tell from his gait how he’s doing. We literally can’t get inside Scal’s head with this.”

Scalabrine input:

“But I feel that one day I’ll consistently get better and better and I won’t have any more of these setbacks. Even coming now and watching the games there’s a couple of symptoms.”

I know exactly what that might be like. I went to a Celtics game in November - near the time of my first Bruins game. I don't remember the second period even though I know I was watching it... in a seat. And I zoned out for the ENTIRE THIRD PERIOD! I was actually just walking around trying to 'calm' myself... or look normal despite trying to avoid people and noise... until my friend texted me "where the hell are you?! you've been gone for 15 minutes!!" Talk about a wake up call... or text! I was all sorts of turned around!

This tough boy has a lot of brain to him. I'm glad he had the sense to even ask his doctors about what 'kind' of concussion he might be dealing with. But more importantly, in the following quote, I can just see what I was like a year ago - scared out of my mind that I lost my brain! Wanting answers and not getting any. Wanting SOMEONE to tell me I was going to be OK... that I was going to get it back... that the pain would get better... the symptoms are 'normal' or probably better stated: "expected." Scalabrine's inquisitions are not far away from those questions that I had - and I really wish I could have worked side by side with the doctors who are "experts." Who are they?? How can I get a job with them?? Are they looking for a pharmacist that has personal experience with concussions?! (and are they willing to let me start working real small hours and build up my endurance?????????)

“You go to the extreme - like there are six football players who had some kind of self-inflicted death, you read about them. I actually brought that up to my doctor, and he said that’s a different kind of concussion from what I have. I don’t have a situation where the brain hit the skull and then swelled.”

Here's a great tip that Brian gave: Bless his wife Kristen's soul for putting up with the man through his mTBI recovery! I bet she could be a spokeswoman for caretakers and family who deal with the worst of the worst!!

Scalabrine:

“My wife is always keeping track of my temperament, seeing that I’m consistent with my temper, and not getting really aggressive because of this. The only thing I really have are the headaches, which I’m slowly getting rid of.”

Mark Murphy concluded his article with the best sentence that should be taken to heart by anyone recovering from post-concussion syndrome... because you might be out of work, but to hell to those who think it's any sort of vacation!

After all, even the most positive thinkers need support.

Somebody get Skalabrine my number - I want him to start running my Tough Boy Initiative on a larger scale!! Hope you feel better soon!!!!! And thank you for being so honest to so many people despite how normal and fantastic you look!!!!!!

Go. Celtics.
Go. Bruins.
and of course... Go. Red. Sox. Yay!!

And as a side note - I was watching both the Sox vs. Orioles and the Bruin vs. Montreal Game 2 tonight with a friend... and although it was a lot to really pay attention... I remember looking at one of the smaller screens showing the hockey game and thinking - Holy COW. I can read the small print. I can see the score. I can SEE the seconds winding down. I can SEE the penalty clock in the corner. I CAN SEE CLEARLY the three white letters of the score bar AND their scores (5-1 by the way ;) haha) But my vision had been so horrible that even 6 months ago it was as if I wasn't wearing glasses and it was fuzzy and I couldn't figure it out. It still gets that way sometimes... but my vision was amazing today :)

NEdream: 1 Concussion: 0
Let the playoffs begin!

Mood Swings Happen

Oh, I'm an angry Tough Girl...

1) Recognize what feelings you've always had before your concussion.

2) Recognize the new mood swings are often precipitated from being overstimulated.
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Ick.

Ugh.

Argh!

What the... uhhhhh... I don't... just... how do... AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

My anxiety has been building all night. I'm not sure why... I'm aware of the thoughts ruminating through my head, but there is honestly NOTHING that has been different or more stressful or anxiety-causing this week that has been more than past weeks.

But this happens sometimes. And all week it's been building. I'm in a "I just want to swear all day" mood. I want to drop F bombs all over the place. I want to tell people to screw off. I want to tell the world that I don't give a hoot about anything they have to say so they might as well shut up. Bother someone who cares.

The ironic thing - is many of these feelings aren't really true. I do care. I do want to know. I do want to have discussions and talk and hang out and yadda... but my anxiety is saying different.

I must have overstimulated myself this week.

I've had a lot of company lately, which I love!!! But I think this wasn't a good week to love it. I have loved it... but at the same time I've been constantly urked by STUPID LITTLE THINGS. Like when I wait for someone who said they're going to show up by 1 am... but I stay up until 4 am waiting for them to get off the night shift - only to wake up at 7 am with a migraine that won't go away for the next 4 days... while you sleep. And then wake up wondering why I'm short tempered and ask you what day it is.... oh... Saturday, for the 12th time. Usually when I've asked for the 4th time... I know I'm having a bad day.

I'm in a Don't F'in Touch Me mood. I'm cuddly by nature... a true female. But this week I cringe at the idea of having a friend over that wants to hug hi and hug by. Don't touch me you slimy, lying, always-crossing-the-line leech! Haha... but they're not slimy or lying... they're my friend that I'm usually leeching onto! What IS going on in my head?!

I have had these types of moody episodes before my accident. I recognize that. Usually they would take part when I hadn't slept because I had 4 exams, 2 presentations, 9 club meetings, 3 nights out with my friends, and a weekend full of working for money... and it would come in the form of dropping things. I would always always drop things.... and it would make me mad, like I could control it. The WORST was when my contacts case would drop into the sink... oooh no it didn't!!!

But this is different. I'm angry at people who have good intentions. I'm angry at people who don't even exist. I'm ruminating over situations that stress me out and I just want to scream about them. I'm having an anxiety attack. I just want to shout several phrases that don't make sense and aren't complete sentences...

I don't even care that.... I just wish I could... I wouldn't even know where to... I'm not even... I can't believe.... if I knew this was.... I don't understand why they.... urrrrgh.

The thing that isn't different, is that I'm probably really tired. Instead of coming from an overloaded schedule, much of this is resulting from an overloaded sensory system. The last few days - regretfully I haven't been outside - have been so bright and sunny. Which I love. But it wears me out and overstimulates my eyes even though I'm still inside with the shades drawn. And its from having a constant migraine all week. It's relentless. I think I have good sleep and then I wake up with a migraine... and all the 'restfulness' goes out the window.

I'm ultra annoyed. I want to sleep. I want to stop hating. I know this isn't normal. I am completely aware that I'm just having an anxiety attack and that it could be from where I was stimulated with neurofeedback last week, could be partly due to being stimulated and not being on a mood stabilizer, could be due to legitimate concerns I have but haven't any reason to be thinking about them right now.

I am very aware that the way I am thinking is not the normal way that I think.

I have this feeling that if I just get up and make myself puke that the world will just get better. It's kind of like if you've had too much tequila and you can't sleep... but if you make yourself puke you'll feel better. I haven't had a drink in a long time - nor am I bulimic - but I feel like puking would somehow cleanse my mind/life of the garbage I'm ruminating over. I know it won't - so I never try it... it's just that internal feeling... and it might be hard to understand.

But I still want to tell people to F off. I want to fight and I want to scream and argue. I want to tell people how stupid they are and suggest ways they could be less stupid in the most demeaning ways possible. All to be spiteful and hurtful. And none of this I really, truly would do... even if given the chance. My blood is boiling and I'm short of breath... and this whole entry might make you think I'm a quack... but its so hard to explain the short-temper that seemingly calm and collected people can develop after having a concussion. Its so hard to even imagine a sweet little girl like me RIPPING APART seemingly caring individuals.

And I did this a lot in the first year of my accident. As I tweaked and reacted and screamed and cursed, I was completely sorry I was doing it... but would never admit it or hold back. Its been a while since I've been this heated.... this angry... this 'I want to tear the world into pieces' annoyed... But it happens. It happens to the best of us.

And I'm truly, truly sorry.

So I hope this post... if anything... just provides an insight into how real these mood swings can be... and how patient and accepting the family and caregivers of newly injured (and possibly those through long-term recoveries) might have to be if they see this kind of attitude in their loved one. Its hard enough on them as it is to knowingly be hurting you and yet not having the energy to hack it out and explain every nuance that's traumatizing their life to you. Try to understand that it usually has nothing to do with you... at least deep down at the root of the problem. And hopefully one day it improves and they apologize.


I just want to cry all over the place. Uggggh but if I hear the garbage truck today I'm going to freaking kill someone. Imbeciles! I need a hug :(

Tough Girl in Fall River, MA

Another Tough Girl makes headlines:

Read about Michelle Pelton here
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After Brain Injury Awareness Month in May, it seems as if their focus on sports concussions is receiving more and more feedback this April. Not to mention, the last few articles I've posted and read about have moved from the VERY west coast and slowly over to my home state.

The Fall River, MA Herald does their part highlighting a story of a high school girl who suffered her fair share of concussions through sports. The great thing is her devotion to sports after not being able to play anymore. She's truly a gift as an advocate to the concussion world. She is a perfect example of someone who has been dealt a difficult hand but has been passionate about educating others while recovering.

Great job, Michelle! Thanks for sharing your story!!

High School Tough Boys

An article from Cumberland County, PA introduces another Tough Boy:

Read about Kyle Chester Here

Read about Corey Bischof Here

football dude taken from graphicsfactory.com
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The Story of Kyle Chester
I stumbled on another article highlighting concussions today. In Pennsylvania, Kyle Chester was one of those tough boy kids who just wanted to play football. The article describes exactly what I mean by "Tough Boy," quoting Kyle:

“Most kids say, ‘I’m fine,’ and want to play to impress dad, coaches or a girlfriend,” he said, calling it an adrenaline rush. “That’s all I wanted to do was play.”

As unfortunate as Kyle's situation has become I congratulate him for standing up in the face of concussions! Thanks for getting your story out there!!


The Loss of Corey Bischof
An additional story from Cumberland County, PA creating awareness of how personality changes, thought to have occurred from concussions, can be devastating to families. Depression resulting in a teen suicide.


ImPACT testing
Article mentions the testing that has been adopted at the Cumberland Valley High (and I've read of other states that have adopted this same testing for high school sports).

As part of this initiative, each athlete in grades seven through 12 undergoes a neuropsychological assessment through the program. The test provides an objective measurement of attention span, working memory, sustained attention, reaction time, response variability, visual and verbal memory, selective and non-verbal program solving to establish a baseline assessment.

Baseline retests are given in ninth and 11th grades.

If a sports-related concussion should occur during the season, the athlete is retested with ImPACT. Those results are compared to the baseline, which assists the medical staff in making return-to-play decisions.

It's saddening to learn of a loss at such a young age. Grateful, however, that Corey's story is being shared during such a vulnerable time to learn about concussions. I send my blessings to his family.

My Two Cents today
If I find any other examples, I'll post them along! I think I read somewhere that NJ Brain Injury Association agreed to pay for half of the tests in their high schools - but I forget where I saw it... But how valuable could this be? Imagine how different our communities might be if we invested in better brain protection early on like this?

However, brain injuries have been happening for years to all sorts of people. And the great thing, is that you can recover. It just takes some time. And it's frustrating. It's painful. It is very hard to leave the "old you" and recognize the new directions that you need to move in. It is very hard to assume a new path, accept the losses, and become one of the many people in this world who has shaped their life much differently than where they originally thought they could go.

But you do keep going, somehow. It is possible. Recovery is difficult but possible.

The Intelligence of Our Future resides in the Brains of Our Kids

I know I have a reader from WA stop in once in a while... Well, here's a great article adding to the awareness of concussions in sports straight from Issaquah, WA.

The seriousness of concussions are becoming known in sports... and not just any sports - the ones you see the next generation playing!! Think Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. As exciting as these sports can be for the little guys going out and giving it their all, this quote from the article pretty much sums it up for me:

The trouble is, students aren’t as careful as they need to be, said Cheryl Reed, head athletic trainer and sports medicine instructor at Skyline High School. Trainers and coaches have to be vigilant because some students won’t admit they’ve suffered a concussion, she said.

“They want to keep playing, so they don’t tell anyone that they’ve got a headache,” she said. “They just don’t have the maturity to say, ‘Hey, is this really worth brain damage?’”

Just a little awareness for your thoughts :)

I'm completely exhausted today..........

Iraq Veterans and Migraines from TBI

I don't know how legit ScienceDaily.com really is. I find some of the small articles here more enjoyable and thought-provoking than actually credible information. There's a lot of advertising around and Ads by Google... But then again, I haven't looked into the whether the information is coming from something legit either, and it very well could be??

But here is some food for thought on how imporant the Veterans from Iraq will be in developing an urgency to learn about mild traumatic brain injuries.

Enjoy the exerpt from ScienceDaily


Even though some of my posts aren't very influential these days... I'm trying to get in the habit of blogging what I find right away. The more I let build up... the more anxious I get... the more of a failure I feel like... and I know it's just all in my head. Bare with me!

Boston Children's Hospital Brain Injury Program

Play Ball Tough Boy!!
------------------

It's Red Sox Opening Day!!!!!!!!!!!
So hence the Fenway Park photo that I took last April 9, 2008 - a few games into the season last year. However, I had no clue it was one of the first games because I didn't know anything that was going on, in any situation, at any time...

I even caught a foul ball, too... but I was soooooooooo out of it! And every time I would stand up to cheer... I would lose my eye sight or almost pass out. Ugh! The music was too loud, there were too many people around, the lights were bright... my favorite place to be was now becoming a place I'd have to avoid for a little while...

Needless to say, I'm ready for the new Season!!!!!! I really really hope to be able to catch some more games than I was able to last year. And I really hope that I can enjoy them and 'be there' instead of zoning out, getting a migraine, or just forgetting where I am or what's going on.


Anyway - while watching the opening day ceremony, I've been getting more and more excited!! And then the game is ready to start!!!! They go to quick commercials before starting up....

The first commercial: Children's Hospital talking about their Brain Injury Program

I didn't know they had one??? Well, I'm sure they did... but holy smokes!! Way to advertise on NESN!! And if you click the link I provided, you can see the little commercial they made with the Bruin's Patrice Bergeron!

Just another reminder to kids, don't be a Tough Boy... protect your brain. It's the only one you've got. Wear a helmet! And spread the word!!

This is the link to the actual Children's Hospital Brain Injury Program page - the above one is the link on NESN w/the commercial.

YAY!!! GO. RED. SOX!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!

Some of the Toughest Boys Play Hockey

Check this article out, Tough Boy:

National Hockey League players and Concussions
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I have saved a ton of little articles that I have always 'meant to post,' but never 'got to.' I'm just posting this because I found it (back in OCTOBER!! eek!) interesting and it relates to my Tough Boy Initiative - and provides a perfect example of what researchers are just learning about the impact of concussions on those who sustain MANY of them... what better place to start than Professional Hockey??

Wow... what a run on sentence... :(

Bruins Final Score 11.13.08

My First Live Bruins Game!

I went to my first Bruins game in November. I 'zoned out' a little bit throughout the game... but over all I really enjoyed it. I was initially afraid that I would cringe every time they body slammed each other into the walls. I felt like I would constantly be concerned about concussions and constantly urked (spelling??) to think of what could possibly be happening to their brain each time.

I have to admit that I actually really enjoyed that part. When I work and save enough money - I want season tickets. I can see why its not an initial concern while cheering for your local (awesome awesome awesome) team. As much as I felt guilty for enjoying that part, I can see how the sport could have less fan involvement (?? not sure if that's what I mean or how to say it...) if the contact didn't exist while fighting for the puck.

This is a good article that was written October 21, 2008 (very recent!) on summarizing data pulled from a long study involving hockey players and how they've been impacted by concussions - without realizing it. An example of what was found quoted from the article:

Thirty percent of NHL players diagnosed with concussions have normal physical readings but abnormal neuropsychological testing scores.

I want the data from other sports... NFL, MLB, NBA... bring it on!! I know they're all tough boys and do very well sucking up the pain and dizziness to get back on the ice... but I need more data to assess how to change it! After all, that's my initiative. To protect, serve, advocate, and educate to and for all the tough boy's out there in the world!

Go. Bruins. Yay!

Depression and Healing

Just Checkin on you Tough Boy:

Are you being good to yourself??
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Yeah - it's 3 am EST. I'm trying to find an article that I can use for my online Psychology discussion... which was due at 2 am :( Thankfully, I think if I have it in by 4 or 5 am... it'll still be considered 'on time?' Maybe... maybe not.

In my search, I came across this little article that had me asking some questions again (completely ADHDing away from what I'm supposed to be doing...).

It's a little heavy on the pharmacy talk - but in layman, Dr. Hedaya is stating some parallel studies that related the incidence/severity of a patient's depression to the condition of whatever inflammatory or infection-like problems that had.

I definitely agree that healing won't occur when your body (or brain!) is in a protective, please-don't-hurt-me-again mode. As for validity of the studies Dr. Hedaya is referring to, I'm a little skeptical but haven't seen them!

I wouldn't go treating everyone with Advil or Motrin to heal anything... but being good to your body will help your body repair. Go for a walk, call a close friend, have a laugh, watch a good movie, smile. Remove that stress!

I know, I know... its easier said than done! (and if it needs to be said - I wouldn't recommend anyone going to ask their doctor for a tumor necrosis factor inhibiting drug mainly for initial treatment of their depression... but if you've got other stuff goin on that warrants it, by all means...).

Good News :)

After 16 months of recovery and a ton of re-learning... I took the national pharmacy boards (NAPLEX) and the law exam required for licensure as a pharmacist. Today I got the letter that I PASSED THE NAPLEX!!! YAY!!

I failed the law though...

But I passed the big one!!!

At the rate I have had to re-learn my vocabulary, my spelling, my reading, my writing, my addition and multiplication tables... the information was difficult to 'get through,' but six years of pharmacy school was coming back just as slowly. The great thing is that it was able to come back. And hopefully still will - because I still feel very uncomfortable with what I know that I don't know anymore... The old connections just aren't there anymore and I need to foster new ones to replace them.

However, I am not a Registered Pharmacist yet. I have to also pass the Law exam - which I failed this first time around. But others have failed that before too. Even people who weren't re-learning how to change a lightbulb a year ago.

All of this is just another step while taking one slow step at a time. I have no real goals with time limits right now. And that has to be enough for everyone who's expecting me to be 'everything and more.' It will happen. It has to happen. It might not happen... but asking "when?!" isn't going to hurry it all along!

The NAPLEX was a huge milestone in this long recovery. Just graduating college with my PharmD was a milestone. And when I become an RPh, that will be another.

Brain Injury Press

Photo from Natasha-Richardson.org

I know Yahoo.com doesn't have the best cited information - but I stop by for some small information and headlines sometimes when I'm not feeling my best. I like to continue to read, even when I don't think I can comprehend much... and this is the kind of small reading I tend to go to!

Anyway...

The news of Natasha Richardson's death is absolutely horrifying. However, I feel this couldn't be a better time for the increased awareness of brain injuries and just how severe they actually can be.

Since the day of my accident, I have felt that somehow I've been affected at a moment where NOBODY knows much about mTBI. And as much as this fact has stunk up any easy recovery... as the months go by more and more situations arise which start making mTBI a HUGE deal on this planet. This is just one example of the awareness that I feel I might be in the middle of when I'm finally well enough to make a stand and become an educator and advocate about the horrifying ordeal that concussions can lead to.

A few days following Natasha's skiing incident/death - I am not sure the exact date, but had thought to blog about it! - I had noticed in the bottom right of my browser on Yahoo.com "Today's Top Searches" that "Brain Injury" was number 6!!!

Now, I didn't ever think I was going to die. I was in excruciating pain for a good 8-14 months, but I never felt my life was at risk. I had significant pain which I thought I was dying or going to have a seizure or pass out and hit my head again and bleed to death (dramatic I know...). I hadn't had a CT of my brain at the time my head was hit, but my CT of my neck was less than impressive and my MRI of my cervical spine a month later wasn't showing anything significant either. In February, I finally had an MRI of my brain and everything seemed clear. I was thrilled to see I had a brain!! wooooo!!!

I hope this link works. This is a pretty inspiring video of a little girl who was hit in the head by a baseball and was 'talking and she was fine' and had 'a bump on her head, but no symptoms whatsoever' until she started to have a migraine a few days later... she had a similar acute epidermal hematoma (significant bruising/blood clot) to what killed Natasha.

It makes me wonder if I might have had a similar hematoma that disturbed some of the blood flow to the neurons I've had to rebuild over the last year plus. I'm just thrilled this girl was so strong and can't imagine what pain she might still be experiencing - but bless her having the strength to forward the brain injury awareness to the world.

My mother also told me that she heard Obama recently mention in one of his speeches that he was awarding troops or veterans increased funds towards treatment of brain injuries - anyone hear this too?

I know I'm not the best at citing references, etc... but I'm working on it.

Perfect Moment of Relief

Perfect Moment Roses

I received years ago

Tough Boy:

1) Assess the stresses that are preventing you from focusing on recovering.

2) Get creative. Think outside the box!

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An article headline caught my attention just now on Yahoo.com in the Finance section. It read: "More women needing cash go from jobless to topless." Ha. I got a little chuckle out of it. I didn't read the entire article, but if you're interested here's the link.

The irony of this... I've actually thought about this as an option to make money. Thankfully I kept holding out until I could make better decisions; but desperate times call for desperate measures and as a young woman in her early twenties... I kept it in the back of my mind (as for some other options I'm not too proud of!).

Financial stress has always been the number one variable to cause worry and anxiety - even before my accident. I know I'm not alone. With this economy, brain injury or not, anxiety has heightened about how people will can cut back on frivolous spending and maintain their sanity. My biggest concern - and others - from not having any income points specifically to how am I going to pay for my rent, keep my home, maintain the stability and security that is provided from the roof over my head.

I don't have the answer for this. But I do encourage creative thinking. Asking people you know for money is easy when you're raising funds for people you both don't know, for walks and charities. It's a whole new ballgame when you need money for yourself.

How have I done it? I was able to get a credit card that (for a fee) would cash advance money into my bank account, I have an amazing landlord that has let me live month-to-month until I couldn't do it anymore, he moved my 'last month' that I paid when I moved in 4 years ago to be February's rent, and most recently had many prayers answered. I don't own anything and can't get a loan, I've maxed out my credit options, my family cannot help much... so what other options do I have? Stripping? Phone sex operator?... uh... where are my morals???

I needed something that could give me a lot of cash by April 1st. Something that wouldn't require 'working' just yet... I just can't yet. Something that will be easy enough to BS my way through. Something I might enjoy anyway...

Whether God answered or I just got lucky - pieces started to fly together and it started to become clear that the only loans I could qualify for were for education, as long as it was a graduate degree. By the grace of having the stars align just right... I 'stumbled' on a Master's in Social Psychology that was starting on March 2nd - the day my student loans from Pharmacy school would become delinquent. I busted my butt to get the application in ASAP, within two days I was accepted and started the student loan process.

It just made sense. It isn't a free ride - it's still a lot of work. I read Psych all the time and I like to write (even though this stuff requires a TON of energy for deadlines etc...). It deferred my loans for in-school status from the DAY I needed it most. It went off my 2007 taxes (when I worked before I was hit!) and I now have about 11 months of rent coming. The application fee had been waved for a few weeks right when I needed to apply. It's COMPLETELY online and I can do it while still going to RI for treatment or at 4 am on the fourth night of insomnia/migraine.

Honestly - I have to believe nothing is a coincidence. It came at the perfect moment with all the right answers. I believe I'm in my apartment because "someone bigger than me" knew what I was about to go through and believed it would be what I needed to make a recovery through these horrible few years. I had to believe "they" wouldn't take it away from me until I no longer needed it to recover 100%. It was my biggest challenge while trying to develop a minuscule amount of faith. I now have the biggest financial stress on quiet for a while to allow me to focus on getting back into Pharmacy and building up some work endurance ever so slowly.

I am so thankful. Not everyone is as lucky. And I encourage you to continually keep pushing buttons and thinking outside the box. Answers will come at the most critical time - last minute! Creativity, creativity, creativity... its not easy, but just imagine the possibilities!!

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!!

Pass it on, Tough Boy:

1) March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!! Spread the word!!

2) Still feeling that pain? Look into acupuncture or craniosacral therapy.

3) Do your body good! Avoid the junk. Replace your sugars and simple carbs (like white breads/pastas) and bring in some more whole foods, veggies, and fish that have tons of Omega-3s!

4) Get moving! Just a short walk outside, ten or fifteen minutes. I know, its tough... but it'll help!

5) Check out the other blogs I've collected under "Personal Stories" to the right. They've all got some insight on their own struggles - which might be just like your own.

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Just a quick stop by - as my situation hasn't dramatically changed at all. And I'm quite exhausted still.

But March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!!! How could I not stop by to leave some support to my fellow supporters and those looking for some relief! Spread the word and start creating awareness for our invisible struggle - who knows who'll notice, who knows who will be grateful to have found someone they can relate to, who knows what an impact it could make?? Just send over this link and start the discussion!


Relaying Tips

Got some awesome tips from some great online supports I've been leaning on (whether they know it or not!). Feel free to read verbatim what they wrote in the comments of my last post!!


Colette mentioned that her experience with acupunture and craniosacral therapy - often found at places that do massage and naturopathic therapies - has

help[ed] the pain, energy and feeling more balanced.

Unfortunately, you may find that most insurance companies will not pay for these services.


Broken Brilliant stopped by to remind me of healthy choices. These really do make a difference!

it's easy for me to make poor food choices, and then I can't figure out why I feel like crap.

I first read about the effect of sugars and simple carbs in a book written by Edward Hallowell, Driven to Distraction. It's a great book for those who have ADHD/ADD. However, one way to acquire ADHD/ADD... yep, you guessed it!... is from a mild traumatic brain injury.

I have seen first hand how much the brain 'changes' after a concussion - what makes me think that it hasn't changed how it responds to foods? Then again, ADHD/ADD is also genetic - and right before my accident, I had found out I have the genes. I changed my diet to eat less sugar and less cheese ravioli and cheap pizza - what a difference! So I know making healthy choices can be great!

If you don't want to 'diet,' eat as much vegetables as you want - just make sure you're eating better choices. Try veggies and whole grains. Vitamins and fiber. Proteins are important, too! Fish that contain Omega 3s are brain-tastic (especially SALMON! which I have learned to LOOOVE). Most artificial crab meat also has Omega 3.

Also, BB mentions exercise.

when it comes to my moods, but things like getting moving, going for a walk, etc. can make a lot of difference for me.

ADHD or not, exercise can alleviate a foggy mind, anxiety, depression, and just make you feel a little better.


How'd you find me?

The most common way people find me - is searching for "Happy Face" via Google. All because I linked a picture of that happy face on one of my posts. Oh brother!

But these search words that I stumbled on kinda made me laugh a little: "mtbi and quietly insane"

You don't even know the half of it. hahaha. Hope my site helped them a bit!


Read Personal Stories

I sometimes stumble on other blogs of people who are going through the same stuff. I find it comforting to read their struggles and know that I'm not alone and I'm not as crazy as I thought I was... or maybe I am - but everyone else is, too!

Here are a few that always check in :) Other links can be found under "Personal Stories" on the right.

Colette Amelia's Blog

Kazzel's Journey Blog

Brokenbrilliant's Blog

I've mentioned him before - he was the first one I found!! And he has TONS of information dedicated to just Brain Injuries.

Also, I haven't done it yet, but I'm about to check out the video he has linked - a guy in the Boston area made a 6-part video of his TBI presentation he's been giving for a few years.


Always finding good stuff!! Thanks guys!

Keep Applying, Keep Appealing, Keep Faith

Some small tidbits for a Tough Boy as we wait for Spring, longer days, and more sunshine (for those in North America)!!

1) Apply for your Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP). Not all states have one, but it's worth looking into. This is the link for Massachusetts SHIP info.

2) Denied Social Security Disability? Here's an online appeal link.

3) Explore other - sometimes less obvious, less solid, less structured, or less tangible - avenues for support. Whether you have faith, want faith, need faith; whether you believe or you know others that believe in something different, religious, greater than you, or spiritual. Pray, have others pray, or dig a little deeper in yourself.

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Today I received a long awaited letter from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission regarding my application to the Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP).

I have been determined ELIGIBLE!!!!!!

This could potentially lead to a less grueling attempt to participate in vocation rehab - which I so desperately need to begin working again.

Not all state rehab services have a specific head injury program to apply to - but it's worth looking into. I'm also not sure about other countries (such as Canada or New Zealand). This is the link for info on applying for Massachusetts' SHIP.

Even if you aren't found eligible for services, it's important to apply anyway to help create awareness of how, when, etc you were affected by a head injury or concussion. A lot of funding governed towards these programs are allocated based on numbers - and those numbers are probably largely inaccurate for mild brain injuries. It could be your little impact towards better recognition and awareness for this frustrating invisible disability.

Update on My Life

I've been a mess the last few months. Uncharacteristically, last week I had a really great week. However, I am back to experiencing different levels of anxiety, neck/back pain, some depression, and a lot of unknown and uncertainty.

Thank you for checking in on me - for those who have - I'm still alive, just crawling along. I really do appreciate your thoughts and/or your prayers.

Low Energy Neurofeedback System

I know I am still yet to talk about the LENS treatment I've been getting - but I had gotten "too much" neurofeedback about a month ago and it resulted in the most unstable emotional state I've ever been in. Its important that someone who treats you with LENS knows how to go slowly, or to slow it down if you experience a week of instability.

To just touch a little on how bad it was: I cried... no, I weeped and ruminated in a persistent panic attack from the Thursday morning to the following Tuesday afternoon.

I knew it wasn't normal, I knew it wasn't how I think, and I'm fortunate to have been aware enough to know the difference. Needless to say, in that time, I really felt if those feelings would continue until my next weekly appointment, I needed 24 hour observation and a team of qualified mental health professionals to stabilize me. I had called my insurance about inpatient coverage, I had found McClean Psychiatric Hospital and found someone to take me there if I needed, I discussed admission procedures and even discussed with my lawyer, if I were to go what my options would be to cover the expenses. I was completely ready for a two week intensive psychiatric intervention as an inpatient.

There Just HAS to be Something Bigger than Little Me

That Thursday, I went to the book store and bought a book found in the 'Christian' area. For the entire weekend I was finally willing to really devote myself to reading about why 'God' makes people suffer and how 'He' plans to redeem you.

I found a book written by a psychologist that works with adults who were sexually abused as children, Dan B. Allender, PhD. His book, "The Healing Path," was not very preachy - which is exactly what I needed to begin to think about and maybe begin to accept something bigger than me, possibly called "God."

I was baptised both Roman Catholic and also Protestant. I attended a protestant church when I was very young, but my upbringing really didn't stress religion at all. By the time I was attending college, I gave up the fact that the bible would ever influence me. Three or four years ago, I actually flat out denied any faith - if I felt the need to pray, I would deliberately stop myself and say out loud "No, God doesn't exist. Anything I say will be wasted breath."

I can't sit and read the bible. I don't have the patience. I don't understand the language. I need someone to tell me in layman terms. I don't want a ton of (possibly fictional) bible stories as examples; I want real people who believe to tell me why I should believe, how they pray and what he's done for them. I'm a tough critic. But part of it is a readiness to accept a faith and put everything driving me to stress out, hopefully, into someone else's hands. I was so very much at the bottom of the world and ready.

This book was really good for what I personally needed. I am still not religious, or pushing it on anyone, but I am making a conscious effort to believe God has a plan. I am making a conscious effort to pray for Him to love me - for everything I am right now, as I am, despite everything I am incapable of doing right now. This book got me through the week until my next appointment.

Stressed and Overwhelmed

So between getting denied social security, missing the 60 day deadline to appeal the denial, not hearing from SHIP, not getting on a list for vocational rehab services until at least April, not having a dime for April 1st rent and beyond, having to RELEARN six years of pharmacy lingo and thousands of drugs to take my boards March 12 and 19th, and having absolutely NO energy to pull myself together - I'm trying not to freak out. I'm still alive.

One thing at a time. And some things might start to look a little up... but before I count the eggs in my basket, I'm still waiting anxiously for some very critical things to fall into place. Please continue thinking of me and I will try my hardest not to tweak out before jotting down any other things that can help you in your life through your recovery.

If it helps - I'm thinking of you, too.