Friday, June 5, 2015

6 years post concussion

Wow! 6 years since that fateful weekend where I hit my head and couldn't get better. I have come a long way to where I am today. On a trip home last week, I was able to get together with a bunch of people from my family without getting sick! It was an incredible milestone that moved me so much, and it was so wonderful to be able to see them all together again! I was able to be back at church and talk to everyone without getting sick! It was amazing! I've missed it so much.

I remember back in the beginning, people would say “After you are better, it will seem like such a short time that you were sick”. Not necessarily true, but I have forgotten how bad it felt some days. I have forgotten some of the frustration of when I couldn't drive for the first 3 years. I have forgotten what it's like to be so embarrassed for my dear friends to come and clean my house because I couldn't. I have forgotten the disappointment I felt in myself when I was a patient to my husband and kids instead of a wife and mother.

Today, I am a different woman. I'm so much better, and on my way to being all the way healed. Six months to a year of continued therapies and I should be all better! A friend put it best when he asked, “Is this the new Kate?!” I'll never be the same as I was before the head injury, but I don't think that's a bad thing. My perspective and priorities have changed in great ways that have centered and grounded me. I'm happier with myself now than I've ever been.

The plan now is to continue with the nutrition changes I've made, keep going for chiropractic adjustments, and keep working on my brain based therapies at Integrated Health Systems: http://integratedhealthdenver.com/ These are the people who have gotten me from 50% to 90% in about a year. I can't tell you what I feel for this place and these people. They have truly saved my life!

I also have to start building endurance and strength. I am so out of shape from not using my body for 6 years. This will be the tough part as it is with anyone who hasn't worked out in a while. Please pray for me specifically in this. I need to get in the pool regularly and get in shape! I want to be able to chase my kids around and participate in life again. My body and mind are ready to do the work now. I just have to put one foot in front of the other and do it.


Thank you for you guys who have supported me and stood by me when I wasn't able to be present. It's been a long road, but I truly believe I'm at the end of it. I would not have been able to get through this without all of you who brought me meals, gave me rides, cleaned my house, watched my kids, listened to me whine about feeling crappy, treated me like I was a normal person while I was sick, supported me through my recovery, prayed for me and my family, were there for my husband and kids to vent about me being sick, and loved us in ways that we could never imagine. You are all incredible!!