Friday, May 10, 2019

She's a Knockout, or Knocked Out Anyway

As a child, I suffered two serious concussions, but have only vague memories of the aftermath. Saturday afternoon, I fell going to my car. I'm not entirely certain what happened, or how I ended up bruised on the back of my arm and head as I don't remember being knocked out, though it seems I was, if only momentarily. I quickly got myself up, established nothing was broken and drove home. Yes, really. I was alone and though it all happened so quickly, I decided all was well. It was is not. By the way, because I know someone will ask-I was wearing flat shoes! I never lay myself out wearing platforms😀

My last concussion happened playing backyard baseball. In one of those classic, "I've got it-I've got-it-WHAM-into a brick wall" moves, I managed to knock myself out cold. Don't remember if I caught the ball. 45 odd years on, I gave myself an injury going to a parked car, but went to a baseball game that evening. I felt fine-still had no idea I'd hit my head. About 8 hours on from the fall, I was feeling terrible, and the drive home from the ballpark seemed unusually dark-well, it was as I'd neglected to put on the headlamps. I've been driving since I was sixteen-as far as I know this was the first time I'd ever driven down a rural road without lights. By the time I made it home I was dizzy, nauseated, and shaking from cold. Still unaware that I had a concussion, I went to bed. Yes, that was stupid.

By Sunday, I was putting things together. What I didn't put together was that my arthritis medications are incredibly dangerous to take with a concussion. Monday, I caved and went to see my GP who, horrified that I didn't have myself seen immediately in the ER on Saturday, ordered a brain scan to see if my brain was bleeding. It was not, and I am incredibly thankful. I had to immediately stop all my medications as the risk is still there, but as brain injuries go, I was lucky. Due to the trauma of the fall, my immune system seems to have gone into fight mode, so I'm having a flare. Predictable, but still so disappointing.

It is now Friday and I still haven't a clue what happened, or how long I am going to feel this way. I can't sleep, but I'm tired constantly. When I do sleep, I have what are probably the strangest dreams of my life.  I am nauseated, dizzy, weak, feel slightly stoned in that time delayed sort of way, and have been crying over everything from unloading the dishwasher to watching a robin struggle to eat a raisin from the feeder. In other words, this ain't me. I've been wearing the same Everlast track suit for days and don't anticipate getting dressed anytime soon. I know I'm improving, but it is slow going and after six days at home, I'm getting impatient. I can't drive until I've been symptom free for 24 hours, and I'm not all that comfortable with the idea of driving anyway after that ride home Saturday night.

I'm supposed to be resting my body and my brain. I took that as don't try to do anything too complicated or upsetting, so I've been avoiding news in favour of reading Tumblrs. I adore Tumblr (mine is HERE). Sure, it can be a hellsite at times, but where else can you look at people's horrible thrift finds, watch videos of pet birds (Birbs!) doing silly things, or scroll through what amounts to teenagers ideas of what the 60s and 70s were like in a sort of online scrapbook. Picture after picture of crazy fashions, bands you'd forgotten, advertisements, home decor, etc. Perfect for a brain that needs to heal-nothing too challenging there.

So that's about it. I have some posts half-written that may or may not ever end up published. I am trying to get caught up with all your blogs, but I hope you'll forgive me if I don't comment on them as I'm really straining for words at times.

I hope to be back to normal soon, or at least getting dressed.








17 comments:

bahnwärterin said...

goody!
thankfully you did not drive while you got the blackout. but a concussion is bad enough.
could the fall down be caused by your low blood pressure? i remember a time around my 15.year - more then once i found myself down on the pavement - with no memories how it went and bruised knees/hands/etc....and i had significant low blood pressure back then.
please be patient with yourself! in "our age" things need much more time to get better - i do forget this too regularly, i must admit :-) but - the time and rest is needed! very!
and of cause we miss you! <3
healing vibrations to you! xxxxx

Alli Duncan said...

So sorry to hear you are still so unwell, Goody. I hope you feel much better very soon and your boys are looking after you like the goddess you are!

Vix said...

You poor love. Hope you feel much better soon. xxx

Bibi Maizoon said...

Oh Goody! I am so sorry you are suffering from a concussion!
So happy to hear the brain scan came back clear. (I suffered a seizure once due to electrolyte imbalance during a particularly bad viral flu episode which resulted in a concussion - took 6 months to get my driver's license back- AAK!)
Sending good vibes your way to hopefully get you on the mend!
XOX

Mrs Rat said...

How terrible! I hope that your body recovers swiftly and there aren't any lasting effects from this hard recovery!
Sometimes the Internet can be a friend.

Propagatrix said...

Oh, you poor dear. Thank Fanny Craddock you’re all right!

Polyester Princess said...

Oh, Goody, what a terrible thing to have happened. It's a good thing you didn't black out while you were driving, as it could have been so much worse. And what a relief the brain scan came back clear. Hopefully, you'll get the feel better soon, and there won't be any lasting effects. Sending you virtual hugs and good vibes from Belgium! xxx

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

Oh goodness, that all sounds terrible. Poor you. You must let your body heal in its own time. You will get over this I'm sure. It's frightening to think about the side effects of some drugs; I'm just so thankful that at the moment I do not need any medications.

Get well soon, Goody.
xxx

Emily from Etsy said...

Thank goodness you saw a doctor in time to prevent complications. Please take all the time you need to get well. You are very strong and I just know that when you heal, you'll be back on your feet and ready to take on the world again!

Beth Waltz said...

Please make self-care your first priority, Goody! And may I respectfully suggest that Mr. ETB chauffeurs you to a sports med head-injury expert and goes in with you to be certain you mention not only the fall but also that odd phenomena with your blood pressure after a run.

My own experience with head injuries and the medical profession has convinced me that two-heads (or more) in the diagnosis and treatment process is very beneficial. Besides, cabin fever is a well known side effect and a trip out is a trip out.

JanF said...

Sorry to read about your fall. I hope by now you are feeling much better.

Bibi Maizoon said...

i concur wholeheartedly with Ms Waltz's recommendations!

Señora Allnut said...

sorry to read about your accident and glad that you went to the doctor (finally!). Happy to know you have not any major damages!.
Please, take care of yourself! and hope you feel better soon!
besos

Mim said...

I've been following your recovery on IG. It seems so unfair that your immune system is flaring up on top of everything else! A workmate's wife got concussed a few months ago, and it took her a few weeks to get over things properly. No surprise you only felt like wearing your track suit for a few days.

Get well - and dressed! - soon.

Miss Magpie said...

Oh my gosh poor you. Wishing you feel better very soon. xxxx

Goody said...

@Beate
Thank you. I am thankful it didn't happen whilst driving. Honestly, I think I slipped and it just happened so quickly I don't recall it happening. I'm told sometimes there can be a bit of amnesia after a head injury.

@Alli
I am doing much, much better. Thank you hon.

@Vix
I am doing much better. I knew it would be ok when I couldn't stand the pile of laundry anymore and just did it ;)

@Bibi
I am ok! *Bangs head on wall* me have hard head!!!
Hope you're doing better too.

@Mrs Rat
Thank you. I am doing much better two weeks out. Being forced to slow down was probably a good thing overall, but wish I didn't need to knock myself out to get a rest :)

@Amy
Thank you. I love that you know who Fanny Craddock was! Now I want a mincemeat omlete....actually, I don't.

@Ann
Thank you. I am back to my good old cranky self. The fact that I can't stand my doctor probably works as an incentive to stay well! I suppose this would be a time to start looking for a different doctor ;)

@Veronica
I am doing much, much better and most of the bruises have turned yellow-a good sign. It never occured to me that NASAIDS could cause brain bleeding. Now I know.

@Emily
Thank you. I think you might have a bit more confidence in me than I deserve ! I'm ready to clean the house though!

@Beth
That's good advice. I'm back on my feet now, and well enough to realise I cannot stand my doctor. A trip to a sports medicine clinic might be helpful, particularly as I tend to run funny because of my spine (I lean to one side and you can see it by looking at how my running shoes show wear on the soles).

@Jan
Thank you. I am doing much, much better. If anything, I feel bad about teasing my mum when she was my age and broke a hip. She always insisted her leg just gave out under her, but we didn't believe her (because she had been out drinking with a friend). 30 years on, I wish I could go back in time and apologise. These falls happen so quickly.

@Monica
Thank you. I am doing much better, and ready to return to living. There's only so much Tumblr a person can take.

@Mim
To be fair though, it is a really nice tracksuit!!!

@Miss Magpie
Thank you. I am doing much better!

Cee said...

Thank goodness you're OK :)