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!!  

Endocrine and Frontal Lobe

I had my one month check up today from my last reexam. It was a great visit. I saw Dr. Steadman first, who went over how I've been with me and did some adjustments on me. My frontal lobe exercises were challenging for me over the past month, so we've scaled them back and made them more manageable for me. My balance has improved, but it can still be better.

I saw the nutritionist next. She went over my endocrine testing. My cortisol levels are on the low end of normal and my progesterone might be low depending on my cycle. We have to verify that before we know for sure. She's given me a supplement to try to bring up my cortisol levels and we will explore progesterone treatments as we find out more about my levels.

I saw Claire, one of the Brain-based Therapists, next. She went over my exercises and changed up my frontal lobe ones. My balance exercises will stay the same until the next month when I go back.

I'm excited about my progress and the prospect that my progesterone levels are what's causing me to be fatigued every day. If I can get on treatment for that and get more energy, it would improve my life. I'm excited to see if the improvement in my frontal lobe helps with eye fatigue, focus, and mood. Please pray for me to stay on top of my exercises!

4 Months Later

I had another reassessment today and it went really well. The outer parts of my cerebellum are pretty much functioning well. My balance is improved a ton and is almost the same as anyone else through the testing. The mid-line still needs a little work, so I'll continue with the same exercises to strengthen that further.

My frontal lobe area is improved in a lot of ways, but my speed is still lacking. I have a new exercise to work on that for the next few weeks. This should improve some of my speed of thinking, processing, and motivation.

There are some issues with my energy levels still. I am still having fatigue with physical and cognitive activity, so they are testing my adrenal glands and cortisol levels. After the results come back in a month, we will see what the issue is and how to work on it.

In many ways, today was a graduation of sorts. I'm definitely getting better. The lines between the head injury and just who I am are starting to get blurred. I will be going to the office only once a month now for therapy exercises, assessment, and adjustments.

Please pray that I will be able to continue to improve. I hope that my test results reveal something that's easy to address, so I can get some energy back. Please pray that I will stay disciplined with my nutrition and exercises during each month in between going into the office. Thank you so much for all your love and support during my treatment!

Reevaluation

We had my revaluation appointment at the chiropractic neurologist this week. It went well, and I've improved in a lot of areas. I haven't had a major headache in a week and a half, which has been a pretty big relief. I still have a dull headache everyday, but it's nice to not be knocked out by the big ones. My balance and motor function are still improving too.

Phase one was intensive, with 2 appointments every week, a nutrition overhaul, and lots of occupational therapy. I now start phase 2, which includes food reintroduction, appointments every 2 weeks, and more focused occupational therapy at home.

After 8 weeks, we will have another reevaluation to see where I'm at and where we go from there. I'm still very positive about the whole thing and encouraged to have so much improvement.

Please pray for my endurance, patience and motivation. I have to continue to work hard at home with less frequent accountability from the team at the doctor's office. I have to keep myself in check, and make sure I don't overdo activity even if I'm feeling more improvement. Thank you!