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Getting Fit to Find Myself

Finding Yourself Through Fitness

April 15, 2016

Getting Back to My Life

I cannot believe it has been a month since I wrote my last post!  It has been a long and winding road but I am finally getting back to MY life!  For a while, I wondered if my traumatic brain injury was going to rule the rest of my life.  I was concerned if I would ever return to the MY daily activities.

It has been 10 weeks, 3 days, and 8 hours since the fall that forever changed my life.  I often think about what if I would have run a different route, what if I would have skipped the run like I was planning to do, what if I would have left 30 minutes sooner so there wouldn’t be snow on the sidewalks, but I can imagine all I want and it isn’t going to change the fact that it did happen.

However, after a lot of sessions of therapy and some hard work I am getting back to MY life.  No, it isn’t exactly like it was prior to the fall but it is much closer than it was a month ago, hey even two weeks ago.  There is a high likelihood that my life will never get back to pre-fall but I am going to do my damnedest to get there.  Who knows maybe it will be even better then it was prior to the fall.

Getting Back to My Life, the road to traumatic brain injury recovery.

I still deal with headaches, dizziness, memory loss, short term memory issues, trouble articulating my thoughts, concentration issues, and issues with my sight but now I know some much more about them and why I experience them.  For the last six weeks, I have been going to four different therapies each week to help me get back to my life.

  • Speech Therapy – I have been working with a speech pathologist to address issues like regaining my short-term memory, ability to pay attention, planning, organization and word retrieval skills.  She has also helped me create a skill set that allows me to know what my symptom triggers are and how to manage my symptoms when they come on.
  • Occupational Therapy – I have been working with an occupational therapist to address my sight issues.  The fall caused me to loose most of my peripheral vision as well as impact how my eye muscles work.  We are working to regain my peripheral vision as well as strengthen my the muscles of my eye.
  • Physical Therapy – I have been working with a physical therapist to get me back to all the activities I did prior to my fall.  Our number one focus is getting me back to running.  However, to get me there we have had to start from square zero, I started by just walking then adding light strength training, to the elliptical, and now walking three minutes and running two minutes for 45 minutes.  The goal is get me to the point of running for 30-40 minutes straight with no symptoms.
  • Psychotherapy – I have been working my psychological therapist to deal with all the emotions (there are a lot of emotions).  She has helped me deal with all the anxiety this whole ordeal has created as well as helped me avoid going into depression.

It’s because of those four therapies that I am getting back to MY life!  In just over a week I get to return to work!  It has been three months since I have been able to work.  I have tried going back twice, both times ending in epic failures.  I know this time, it will be successful.  And as mentioned above, I am starting to run.  No, it isn’t much but it is a start.

As I always say, my journey is no where near over and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.  And it rings very true in this situation because I look forward to getting back to MY life, not the one my TBI wants me to have!  I would like to believe that with all my hard work and determination that my life is going to be better than it was prior to my fall.

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Filed Under: Random Thoughts Missy 42 Comments

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Comments

  1. Candy says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Glad you have found professionals who can help you regain some or all of what you lost. Hang in there and keep us updated.

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you! I have an amazing team and know I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for them.

      Reply
  2. Renée says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

    You have faced and are overcoming a great challenge Missy. I’m glad you’ve sought help and it’s working well for you. Good luck on your return to work!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Thank you! I am always up for a challenge, I wish it would have came a different way but I will work to get back!

      Reply
  3. linda spiker says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:56 am

    So glad to hear you are recovering. xo

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Candy says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Hope your health and spirit continues to improve.

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Angela Tolsma says

    April 18, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Glad you are improving and are doing so much better than a month ago!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Cori says

    April 18, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Glad to hear you’re recovering. I honestly can’t tell from your posts that you’re having trouble.

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:14 pm

      Thank you! It is funny you say that, because it took me twice as long to write it and I was very worried there would be a lot of mistakes.

      Reply
  7. Carrie says

    April 18, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    Hope you continue to get your life back! I know how important it is!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:26 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Rhiannon says

    April 18, 2016 at 1:30 pm

    As someone who is 4 years out, I’m so happy for you that you’re able to resume some of the activities you enjoyed prior to your fall. Swimming was my thing and now I can’t tolerate my head being under water. I wish you continued success on your recovery!!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you! I am sorry to hear that you couldn’t get back to swimming! I am concerned I may have issues like that too. But I will approach them as I get to them.

      Reply
  9. ALISON says

    April 18, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    You are so brave! It is hard work coming back from an injury. I am sorry you are still dealing with the effects from it. The fact that you have such a great attitude and willing to try to get back to where you were or even better is inspiring. Keep it up!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:25 pm

      Thank you! I had never thought of myself as brave, but I so appreciate that you think I am. I am willing to put the hard work in!

      Reply
  10. Dia All The Things I Do says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    Missy you always have a way of making me cry. I am so glad to see you back on the site. I can’t say I 100% get what you’re going through but the part about “If I skipped the run, if I left 30 minutes earlier, if, if,if” when I had my car accident, 5 years later still causes me pain, I was on my way to work on my day off and I always think, “If I’d taken the other route?” “If I’d not accepted the shift” if if if and I know those ifs can drive you crazy if you let them. I’ve seen the dramatic and wonder changes you’ve made in your life and I can only believe you will rise like a phoenix from this. Love your way.

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      Ah, Dia! Those questions are so hard! I wish we didn’t have them! I so appreciate your kind words and I am so sorry that I always make you cry!

      Reply
  11. Jane @ seejane.me says

    April 18, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    What courage you have to share your story. You are a true inspiration to me. One of my closest friends has a traumatic brain injury and I always try to understand – but I can never walk in her shoes. It’s writers like you that share the story and help advocate TBI. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      Thank you, Jane! I want to share my story because TBI’s are very hard to understand, even for those of us who have them. I will forever be changed because it but if I can help others understand the change will be worth it.

      Reply
  12. Bree Hogan says

    April 19, 2016 at 12:43 am

    You are one tough cookie, Missy, and should feel proud of all that you have accomplished since your TBI. I can tell you are a fighter and you will get back to your life. Sending hugs, xx

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      Ah, thank you! Wow, I so appreciate that! I am proud of all of the hard work I have put in to get the process started.

      Reply
  13. Jasmine Watts says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:14 am

    So glad to hear!! Hope your health continues to improve…!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  14. Kiwi says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:33 am

    So sorry to hear about your fall, but it is great you are returning a month isnt that long. It seems like a setback but it is a step forward because I think you are going to be more determined more than ever to get back to normal stronger than ever. Rooting for you!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Thank you! I have always been determined but I agree I am even more determined now! I am going to work every hard to get back!

      Reply
  15. Amber Starr says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Wow, I can’t imagine what a change this has brought to your life. It’s inspirational how hard you are working to get yourself back to a new normal and with such a positive mindset. Wishing you all the best!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you, Amber! I appreciate those kind words! I some days it is hard to have a positive mindset, but I know it is the best approach.

      Reply
  16. Victoria Stacey says

    April 19, 2016 at 9:12 am

    It’s so great to hear you are back on track! Good luck on your continued recovery!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:11 pm

      Thank you! It is nice to be back on track!

      Reply
  17. aNA says

    April 19, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Beautiful piece of writing. Thanks for sharing it with us!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Ah, thank you!

      Reply
  18. Cara says

    April 19, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    So glad to hear you’re doing well! Best of luck as you continue to recover 🙂

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  19. Julie Syl Kalungi says

    April 19, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    Get well soonest and I am glad you are getting the help you need and deserve. Keep smiling and keep your gratitude glass full, its the key to even more breakthroughs in your healing!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Thank you! I will keep my gratitude glass full!

      Reply
  20. Emily says

    April 19, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Missy, I am so glad you are okay! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It is powerful and inspiring!!! Keep on keepin’ on xo

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Thank you! I hope by sharing others will have a better understand of TBI’s.

      Reply
  21. Idaintyit says

    April 20, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    Oh my goodness you have certainly had a lot to be dealing with. I am happy to hear you have a good team or people around you. I wish you a speedy recovery and welcome back to your own life!

    Reply
    • Missy says

      April 21, 2016 at 6:53 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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Hi There! I’m so glad you’re here! My name is Missy, and I am the blogger behind Getting Fit to Find Myself. I live in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) with my husband, Justin, and my dog, Walter. This blog came out of a want, I wanted a place to talk about how my fitness and weight loss journeys have helped shape who I am today. xo Missy

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