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After being released from hospital, I was left feeling uncertain about what had happened to me. I returned home to my three children—two in school and one in college—who knew more about my situation than I did, yet they were unsure how to help. I found myself sitting at home, staring at the walls, struggling to make sense of everything.
My health challenges began at the age of two with a brain tumour that was surgically removed. At thirteen, another brain tumour was treated with the expectation that it would not recur. However, at twenty-three, I faced yet another brain tumour. In 2010, I suffered an aneurysm and, following surgery, experienced a severe seizure affecting the left side of my body, which led to significant physical damage. In 2012, a fall in Spain resulted in a head injury, causing swelling and bleeding. Fortunately, I did not require a coil, but the injury further impacted my condition.
The aftermath of these incidents has profoundly affected my balance and speech. Fatigue is a major issue, and short-term memory loss is significant—if asked about recent events, I often need to refer to notes and rely on my children to remind me. My confidence has suffered, and although I remain outgoing, living life as I once did is challenging. There are days when my energy is so depleted that I struggle to accomplish even basic tasks.
When going out, I might use a walking stick, or sometimes not, which hides my balance issues from view. My coordination and vision have been affected, leading to misunderstandings where people might think I am intoxicated when I am not. Encountering others can be stressful, as I often struggle to articulate my thoughts, leading to anxiety. This difficulty in communication can be frustrating and is often misunderstood by those around me.
People often remember the positive aspects of the past but struggle to reconcile them with my current state. The slow recovery process is not always appreciated, and the impact of brain injury is not as well-understood as physical injuries. Unlike a broken leg, which heals visibly, brain injuries involve complex internal recovery that can be likened to reprogramming a circuit board. This process requires significant time and effort, not only from the individual but also from their family and loved ones.
There is a need for more awareness about how to respond to individuals with brain injuries. Anger and other emotional responses are often difficult for others to understand, and health professionals may struggle to provide appropriate explanations. Recovery from a brain injury is a gradual process and differs from the healing of physical injuries. It involves extensive adaptation and support, highlighting the importance of understanding and patience from everyone involved.
