Getting Fit to Find Myself

Finding Yourself Through Fitness

Getting Back to My Life

By 42 Comments

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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Comments

  2. 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

    • 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

    • 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

  8. 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

    • 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.

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  9. 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!

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    • 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!

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  10. 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

    • 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!

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  11. 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

    • 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. 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

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    • 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.

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  14. 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

    • 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!

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  15. 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!

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    • 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.

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  19. 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!

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  21. 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

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