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How do I deal with a Brain Injury...

6/19/2023

 
Michael Belliveau
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Brain cancer survivor (9 surgeries and 30 doses of radiation5y
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How do I improve my memory after a brain injury?This is a difficult answer, but I'll try my best to tell you what I currently do. Effective ways of improving your memory after a brain injury are time and repetition. I have a brain injury after undergoing 9 brain surgeries and 30 treatments of radiation due to brain cancer. As a side effect from aggressively treating this brain cancer, I have been dealing with a brain injury for over 3 years.
In the beginning things were very difficult. I could not walk, talk, or feed myself. After completing in-patient and out-patient physical therapy I regained these abilities. After this time my wife and I started attending a monthly brain injury support group. It was during this time that I came to the realization that I had a brain injury. I was very angry, forgetful due to short term memory issues, and had time distortion. This was all on top of chronic pain and chronic fatigue. My wife took me to a neuropsychologist who formally diagnosed me with an acquired brain injury.
After many months my anger dissipated and my time distortion improved slightly. My short term memory, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue are still with me today.
Focusing on my short term memory problems, I can talk about some of the things that have helped me:
  • Time. There's no getting around this. Patience is a virtue when it comes to recovering from a brain injury. The brain is a highly complex, very adaptable structure. Through a process called neuroplasticity different parts of the brain can take over for the damaged areas. The short term memory issues can SLOWLY improve as neurons reconnect. Neurons are notorious for taking an incredibly long time to reconnect (on the order of years).
  • See a Neuropsychologist. This doctor is trained to indentify and explain what is going on inside your brain. They are basically a human MRI. Through a series of tests they are able to diagnose which areas of the brain are not functioning properly. They will also give you techniques and suggestions to help with these deficits. They will point you to different doctors to treat your other symptoms if necessary. Neuropsychologists are commonly known as the “what’s next?” doctor after a brain injury diagnosis. If you have a brain injury, but no guidance as to how to treat it, then you should seek out the help of a neuropsychologist.
  • Find a caregiver and/or advocate. A caregiver/advocate is someone who doesn't have a brain injury and is willing to help you understand and navigate your treatment and recovery. This person is your cheerleader and will celebrate even the smallest of victories. For me this person is my wonderful wife. She has been at my side since day one and has never given me a reason to doubt her. She calms my anxiety and goes to bat for me with the many doctors. She does memory games with me and is constantly helping me strengthen the areas of my brain that need work. Having her with me has been absolutely instrumental to my recovery. I can't stress the importance of this enough.
  • Family support. The friends and family that were important parts of your life before brain injury should be a big part of your recovery. There is nothing worse than isolation when adapting to a new brain. Oftentimes brain injury survivors lack the ability to initiate phone calls, texts, or reaching out in any other way. It is very important for friends and family to consistently communicate and spend time with the survivor. This contact boosts the survivor’s morale and makes them feel “normal.” It also reduces the depression that the survivor is likely experiencing. When the survivor is happy, it is easier to repair the brain and make memories.
  • Brain games. Tools such as Lumosity, Sodoku, crossword puzzles, reading, words searches, etc. are great ways to help you with your memory issues. A quick google search of memory games can help you on your road to recovery. Most of these apps are free and the ones that aren't typically have free trial periods.
  • Scheduling/routine. It is critical to organize and schedule your time. If you have memory issues repeating the same tasks in the same sequence every day is the quickest way to reconnect neurons. Using a planner, whether physical or electronic, is very helpful to keep you on track in your daily routine. It also serves as a memory aid for medications, doctor’s appointments, and important phone numbers. I currently use Calendar, Tasks, and Reminders to help me. I have visual disabilities so using electronic reminders is easier than writing stuff down.
  • Patience. Rome wasn't built in a day. Remember that recovery is slow and will not occur overnight. Slow progress is better than no progress. Take videos of yourself, periodically, so you can see your progression.
That’s all I can think of right now, but if I remember anything else I will post an update. Feel free to ask me any questions, I'll try my best to respond. Remember that brain injury is a lifelong recovery process. Let go of trying to be who you used to be. You're a new you and you will adapt, improvise, and THRIVE!

TBI Survivors Successes...

4/20/2022

 
Danny
F#*k THIS TBI!!!!!!!!!

Adam Rangihana
35 plus years TBI... your going to make it Danny.


Danny
Adam how did you receive you TBI?

Adam Rangihana
Hi Danny, fell 12.9 metres (5 stories) through steel head first into a concrete floor... died x2, induced coma for 2 weeks hospital for 6 months. I also had a childhood of abuse which makes everything more complex...

Everyone has their own story my experience has shown me how important love hope and forgiveness is to my health plan which I developed many years ago... My first layer of defense are the 5 disciplines /rules...
1. Stick to your daily rituals and disciplines no matter what good bad or weird getup, healthy breakfast, shower etc.
2. Use a health diary as necessary write down everything do this overtime this will help to track changes to your condition it can be used for your health professional and planning... general rule if you need a doctor or counselor go if you need medication take it listen to your body track changes adjust as necessary.
3. Because of our condition we need to be in the arms of love at least 20 minutes min. Each day Be around loving family or friends not your immediate carers very important... or be in the garden love love love... practice thankfulness This is a discipline not a option IMHO... this is about saving your future self...
4. Spend minimum 20 minutes each day of distraction something fun and distracting Very Important watch TV shows comedy something that can minimize you from thinking about your condition...
5. Because our condition steals away our future learn something new... so important. In the beginning and when the condition returns you must be ready. I started many years ago learning taichi... then website design, SEO etc. Writing poetry, singing and playing Guitar ... etc.

These are my strategies for dealing with my situation... I hope you can workout a strategy for you... i am so sorry this has happened to you but i want you to know that everyone here wants the best for you... I know its not your fault but it is now your responsibility to care for yourself and to love yourself. This is a Discipline let me repeat that its a discipline. Wishing you the very best let me know if there is anything we can do...


Danny
Thank you so much for your story and guidance.

Is there a good chance that scientists find a way to fully heal the brain after accidents within 50 years, or do I endure days for nothing, is my life without meaning?

12/31/2021

 
This is my answer to a question on quora...

Yes definitely scientist will within 50 years find a way to better understand and manage brain injuries… [including healing some issues]. I am 35+ years post tbi and I have witnessed so many changes and advances in the treatment of tbi… There are definitely times when I am down, but I have fought long and hard to find the meaning in my life… for years I felt lost and my life was meaningless. Now for the moment at least and for the foreseeable future I feel more a sense of great hope and completeness… more so than the whole of my life before. Give yourself time to heal it is worth it.
I use 5 basic steps to help get me through also adding whatever else is useful when appropriate;
1. Stick to your daily rituals and disciplines no matter what this is your anchor… the worse your thoughts and emotions become redirect that energy into something physical (exercise etc). The worse your physical pain modulate your pain management… medication, practice distraction, massage… find what is right for you.
2. If necessary keep a health diary so you can track how you are going… you can use this to take to a health professional. My general rule is if you need to see a doctor or take medication do it… if you need counseling go.
3. Shelter in the arms of loving positive family and friends. Very important… because this condition affects us daily we need to regenerate and recharge with positive loving energy everyday. This is so important. Sometimes a course of watching comedy shows can deflect the daily monotony of these negative thoughts and feelings. Laughter is an important medicine.
4. Try to distract yourself daily by watching a favorite tv program or movies… read books, write, or play music. Our daily life is [imho] 100 times more difficult than others who have not suffered from a tbi… so we really need to make this a part of our daily routine… so no matter good bad or whatever you stick to your routine.
5. Because of the nature of this condition it will steal away our hopes and dreams for the future. Learn an instrument take a course online or take up a new hobby… gardening etc.

Also finally join a tbi support group there are plenty online try facebook… although I donot like facebook we unfortunately have no choice…
Hoping something here might help… Wishing you all the best.

J,
What if after years of self-working, I still can’t accept not to be the best as I was ? Of course I know that there is no answer, but you can’t feel how painful it is to waste my time whatever I do, since I’m slower in reasoning than before and can’t reach the same peaks…
It’s obsessive and really appalling. I dream of my life without these minutes that happened back in past…


Adam Rangihana

Hi J,  I apologize for not replying earlier, I only just saw your comment now...
It is my firm belief and experience that most if not all of us who suffer from tbi.s eventually find and reconcile ourselves in our new circumstances. Counseling is one of the most important issues in my life… this is not to say I still don’t get down but I have the meaning in my life. This is what keeps me going.
All the best… :)

Is it normal for people to hit their heads, like not frequently, but like every now and then?

12/30/2021

 

Hi Jay,
This figure is definitely tracked by actuary’s who calculate the insurance cover for many commercial enterprises as well as government consultants who provide modeling to the government of the day with regard to tracking various data points which will help it to govern...
In the past definitely Yes… pre-industrial war such as hand to hand combat there is definite indications that there was a high level of these types of injuries. However there are no real records with regard to the building safety practices during the rise of the city states to the regional states.
During the industrial revolution… with regard again to wars such as the civil war in America, WW 1 and 2 through last century we have a patchwork of data outlining and sketching a period of high injuries. There is also a similar record of various major building projects etc. which give a epileptic view of this period.
Currently during modern times in so called economically 1st world countries with the proper safety policies, legislation, and enforcement we are as a society reducing the number of possible injuries and with the help of inventions and innovations developing better methods and processes for treating such injuries…

IMHO…

What is actually preventing someone from facing his trauma healing?

12/30/2021

 
This is my answer to a question on quora...

It has taken me some 50 years…

Yes the general idea is fear and trauma prevent us from healing.

This is my experience and my research confirms this point of view.

But these knots of psychological and physical adversities which enslaves our spirit, darkens our heart and entangles our soul is about acceptance and wholeness. It is about a journey to being a greater more unified and integrated as a person…

For all those in search of healing I wish you well… :)


Is it possible for the human mind to be open or intelligent enough to conquer its own ailments such as mental illness, or brain damage through self awareness, growth and therapy with little to no medication?

12/29/2021

 
This is my answer to a question on quora...

I believe through experience that this is a slight misinterpretation of the healing process. therefore I choose to answer this question by saying;
It is important to find the right health care professional for you and your condition. The answer is very complex and peculiar to you so read contemplate consider… this is imho a major part of the healing process.
Managing your health is about living your life as successfully as possible…
Wishing you all the best. :)

Does a human need an extra brain to handle stress in the current scenario?

12/28/2021

 
This is my answer to a question on quora...

They say we have 2 brains already…
Think Twice: How the Gut's "Second Brain" Influences Mood and Well-Being

But the heart also has synaptic cells so there is a third brain none as complex as the brain but certainly affects its functions...

Wish you all the best. :)


How does one stop intellectualizing trauma?

12/27/2021

 
This is my answer to a question in quora...

I hope you are well.

My first thought is how do you define Intellectualization? In psychology this process is noted as a defense mechanism a reaction to deep emotional trauma.
From my experience, investigations and consideration this is natural… and in normal circumstances helps to improve our understanding of ourselves and how we interact with our life.
What are you trying to achieve?
If you are suffering from emotional trauma I ask you seek urgent medical advice asap.
All the very best. :)

How can you tell if someone is having a P.T.S.D flashback?

12/24/2021

 
This is my response to a question on quora...

What are you trying to achieve..? It is always best to seek professional medical advice as there are many issues which are not apparent even if you are able to tell if someone is suffering from a P.T.S.D episode…

What can I do I have a serious mental problem...

12/23/2021

 
This is an answer I gave on quora...

As someone who has lived with c-PTSD and traumatic brain injury for some 30 plus years… seek professional medical advice asap. Very important… wishing you all the best.

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    Author

    Hi my name is Adam and this is my website... The New Protocols are a set of guidelines I have used to overcome the many adversities that I faced for most of my Life.  At the age of 18 I fell 12.9 metres through steel head first into a concrete floor (about 5 floors.... I also suffered mental and physical abuse from childhood which along with a major head injury returned as depression and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...

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        • The Phantom Person
        • The Inverse Mandela Effect
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