My Experience After A Traumatic Brain Injury
I went bike riding on June 30, 1992 and I wasn't wearing a helmet.
I had been looking at helmets at a bike shop in my local mall, approximately 2 miles round trip on my bike. I had just gotten back in to cycling and the helmet I purchased with my red Schwinn road bike got misplaced in my move.
The helmet I was looking at was around $100.00. It was red, white and blue. No matter the cost of a helmet, they must meet specific standards. For current information about helmets visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
My brain injury cost me much more than a helmet.
I regret not purchasing a cheaper helmet until I could afford the helmet I wanted.
According to a witness, I got off my bike in the middle of an intersection, took one step and fell like I was shot. It's unclear why I lost consciousness; I may have had a seizure, although I did not have a known seizure disorder.
I was under a lot of stress dealing with a difficult situation at my place of employment and I strongly believe I passed out from stress.
I had a Glasgow Coma Score of 4 at the scene (eyes opened to pain only). A CT Scan and Spinal Tap revealed a subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
I learned the hard way – literally – the importance of wearing a bike helmet.
The asphalt didn't give, but my head did resulting in two bleeds. It changed me and my life.
My Hospitalization
I was in the hospital for ten days of which I have a few sporadic memories.
I understand coworkers and fellow reservists came to visit and I have no recollection. I stayed with my neighbor for a few days after I was discharged from the hospital and I don't have memories of that either.
I was told I slept most of the day.
I understand that period of time to be considered post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) and PTA is a major factor in determining the severity of a brain injury.
Back to Work After TBI
I went back to work about 30 days after my hospitalization.
I complained to my primary care physician that I was unusually tired all the time and he suggested I start back to work for four (4) hours a day initially and move up to the regular eight (8) hour day over a few weeks.
For a long time, I thought the reason I was having difficulties with my memory, concentration, emotions, etc., was lack of sleep.
I have since learned that fatigue is a major issue for people who've had a brain injury.
One of the first things my supervisor noticed was my inability to keep my desk organized. She asked me one day: "What happened to your desk?"
Pre-injury, I was fastidious about cleaning my desk daily in preparation for the next day's work.
I was abnormally forgetful when I returned to work. I couldn't remember names of people I knew and I often forgot what I was supposed to be doing.
There were occasions when I would walk across the large building where I worked and then forget why I went there.
I forgot the retirement party for my internship mentor and that stressed me greatly; I know I never would have missed that pre-injury.
My director asked if he could talk to my doctors because he was concerned about me. He told me I appeared to have many of the problems his wife had when she was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
I let him talk to my psychologist and she wrote in my medical records: "Colonel 'W' said Ms. Palmer hasn't been the same since she hit her head."
Shortly after that I was diagnosed with major depression.
Many of the people I worked with noted changes in my personality. I was told by my employer that I had to go on two weeks leave "to find the sweet, smiling Debi we used to know."
I really haven't found her, but since I started cycling with the Ride 2 Recovery Program, I have found joy in life again.
Cycling has been my antidepressant.