7 Weeks Into Brain Injury Recovery

Week 7 has been quite eventful, probably more than it should have been.  I have been mindful of the symptoms and have tried hard not to overdo it and to get plenty of rest.  It has been a challenge.  I have lots of work to do here in the house before my mom can come home from the hospital.  I have also been following the "return to sport" protocol and playing the mental flexibility games for therapy.  Between house work and my own rehab it has been a bit crazy.  Oh ya, and don't forget kennel training my mom's dog.  Ya, have I said I have been busy.

It's been pretty emotional too.  Watching my mom go through her own recovery process is a bit un-nerving.  It's really hard to watch a parent get older, especially when you live all the way across the country.  This visit is giving me a glimpse of things to come and it is really emotional for me.  I'm sure that isn't helping the state of my recovery process.

Day 1 Return to Sport Protocol:
15 minutes.  1 mile.   I took my mom's dog for  a walk along the path by the house.  It went well and without symptoms.

Day 2 Return to Sport Protocol:
20 minutes.  1.11 miles.  I went to my favorite beach to watch the sunrise (Melbourne Beach).  I walked for 20 minutes on the beach while the sun was rising. Then I sat and watched the remainder of the sunrise.  It was so beautiful and peaceful.  Again, I was symptom free.

















Day 3 Return to Sport Protocol:
25 minutes.  1.90 miles.  I went to visit one of the many nature sanctuaries in the area.  Erna Nixon Park.  I did a couple of laps in this beautiful little park.  It was quite fun and I was symptom free again!  I was getting so excited with all of this activity and being symptom free!

Day 4 Return to Sport Protocol:
20 minutes.  1.01 miles.  This is where things went wrong.  I was supposed to do 30 minutes on Day 4.  However, the concussion had other plans.  I was 15 minutes into brisk walking when a headache developed.  This meant, I needed to shut down and walk slowing back to my car.  *sigh*  I did this walk at an outdoor exercise path that was severely neglected and over grown.  It was like a maze/puzzle trying to figure out where I needed to go.  Not only was I physically working out, but my brain was working too AND I was listening to music at the same time.  My head did not like this.  Then I went to visit my old Seventh Day Adventist Church and visiting with old friends and singing song had the head hurting more.  It was a difficult day.

I decided to rest Sunday.  By rest, I mean not try to walk.  I went to the Center for Spiritual Living in Rockledge, FL.  It was quite a drive, but so worth it.  Then I went to Ron Jon's surf shop and found myself completely overwhelmed and over stimulated.  I had to tell myself it was okay and to stay focused on what I went in there for.  I took some deep breathes and made it out alive.  After that, I went to another one of my favorite beaches and took a little bit of a gentle walk to sooth my head. That did the trick and I was able to visit my mom on the way home.

Monday, I decided to continue to take it easy.  Don't ask me what I did, cause I can't for the life of me remember. *laugh* Though I'm certain I went to visit my mom.

Day 5 Return to Sport Protocol:
48 minutes.  1.65 miles.  Yes, that was a HUGE time jump, but it was a very slow, meandering walk through my favorite nature sanctuary, Turkey Creek.  I love that place and I took lots of pictures and stopped to observe the beauty.  After my walk, I spent 8 hours cleaning my mom's room and getting it ready for her to return home.  I took an hour break at lunch to eat and recharge.  But other than that, there was no rest.  I felt okay.  I may have had a little bit of symptoms while I was cleaning, but nothing really to worry about.




Day 6 Return to Sport Protocol:
30 minutes.  2.19 miles.  This walk was brisk and just around the neighborhood.  While exercising I was symptom free and I felt like I  had finally turned a corner.  Then it hit me!  Headaches.  Unable to concentrate.  My typing went down the tubes fast, and that is a sure sign of issue.  I was texting my husband and the typos were so bad he could not decipher what I was trying to say.  That is worrisome. My husband thinks I tried too much too soon.  But I was following protocol.

I won't call today Day 7.  I decided to take the day off and head to the beach and relax.  I went to Sebastian Inlet State Park.  I walk for 30 minutes for 2 miles.  However, my day started out with symptoms.  After my walk, I just hung out on the beach with my eyes closed and relaxing listening to the sounds of the crashing waves. It was bliss...that is until a young man decided he needed to turn his music up so everyone could hear it.  There goes my time of non-sensory rest.  *sigh*  The headache has been pretty  bad today.  I couldn't even visit my mom very long today.  It is feeling a bit better after eating dinner, but I still feel it.  Thankfully my son is studying for some exams and has soft ambient music on.

So there ya have it...I'm still recovering and doing what I can.  I am doing my brain exercises.  I am doing my balance exercises while I walk and I'm following my Return to Sport Protocol all while trying to get my mom's house ready for her return and visiting her in the hospital to keep her spirits up.  Here's hoping tomorrow will be symptom free day :).