Survival 101
It happened to me and this is what I asked:
What happened?
How did this happen?
Why did this happen?
What do I do now!
My Family Members!
When your loved one is in the hospital this is the time that you need to be there for them. This is a very critical time for them and they need you support. Most head trauma cases the individual may be left confused, disorientated and un aware of what is happening and what is really going on. I had to be repeatedly told over and over again what happened to me but I still could not grasp what was really going on. This caused irritation and annoyance. The person lying in that hospital bed may be now a totally different person. Please be aware of this. It may be a shock to your system that the person you once new is not longer that person. Their life has just changed forever!
There are some things that you should not say to someone in this difficult position. They may possibly be aware of what is going on but you do not fully understand what they are going though. You can sympathize with them as much as you can for support, but you cannot understand what they are going through. They just suffered a stroke, you did not.
I found that leaving the hospital and many times after people would ask me, "Are you having any problems or issues". I would say yes that I am. I am having a hard time remembering things. Their reply would be, I have the same problem and often forgot things myself. Do not say this to them!. They can become really annoyed because they feel and know there is something not right. Your forgetfulness may be caused by being absent minded, but their forgetfulness is cause by Traumatic Brain Injury and possibly permanent brain damage!
The best thing you can do in situations like this is to say "I can sympathize with what you are going thorough loved one, but I cannot understand what you are going through" Just reassure them that you are there for them and will support them. Like I had mentioned before, every trauma case is different.
Some may walk out of the hospital like nothing ever happened, but most like myself life is totally different for us. It is now an uphill battle. Some of us recover fully, these are the lucky ones. But in cases like my own, the damage and trauma is permanent. Funny that I am writing this to you know and I hear a Medivac Helicopter flying overhead. I am mesmerized by them for a very surreal reason. I was flown by Medivac to St. Mary's hospital in Rochester. My hearing is in tune with this and it brings back a painful memory for me, but happy ones at the same time. I thank the crew that flew me there and that angel that was holding my hand the whole flight there. I never knew what his name was but he was an angel to me that guided me to safety.
Please visit the My Survival Links page. There is critical information for you and your loved on awaiting you there.