My First Concussion- Brain Injury Awareness Month

TO MY SURPRISE

A couple weeks ago, I experienced my first concussion. It was quite a scary experience. I never really understood much about concussions, and since getting one, I can't imagine how football players and other people in contact sports can get back up and back in the game.

My experience was much less dramatic than an amazing football player. I simply got up at 2 am because of Sampson my dog needing to go to the bathroom. I jumped out of bed, headed through the garage and opened the door.

I proceeded to go back inside while I waited and then he started barking. Barking at 2 am is not a good thing when you live in town. So I went back out through the garage; bare feet and Pj's and proceeded to step out into the freshly fallen snow, and much to my surprise; there was solid ice under the snow. Down I went. I'm not sure if my rear end or head hit first. All I know is when I got back up and came inside, my feet and hands were extremely cold and 25 minutes had passed. My head was killing me and I went inside to use the restroom; only to discover: at some point, I had soiled myself! This is when I realized,  I must have been knocked out for at least 10  minutes.

I decided to come back inside and lay down. About an hour later, I got up and went to the freezer for an ice pack and then laid down until I could make a doctor's appointment.

Once I talked to my doctor,  I realized I couldn't do simple things. Every test I tried on my left side, I failed. I couldn't touch my nose with my left hand, I couldn't walk a straight line, I couldn't do some simple hand gestures. I was tired. I pretty much slept for a week. I had a headache...in the front...and in the back where I hit.

He told me I couldn't go back to work until my headaches were gone. This took almost a week. The lingering effects were nausea; if I walked too long at the grocery store, and then finally my back giving out, which was also fall related.

REASONS TO REST

Some signs of a concussion come later; Concentration and memory complaints. This is what I'm experiencing now. Although my kids would say I always suffer from this since being in my late 40s, I think it's a little more noticeable.

There are other symptoms people can have. Personality changes, depression, irritability.

Rest is definitely the best thing I could have done for myself. If you have a child or someone in your family that has had a recent concussion; give them some time to get back to being themselves.

MARCH IS BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH

It might be good for you to learn about what to do if you fall. If a child falls. What should you expect from a concussion? How long will the symptoms last, and what happens if you return to normal life to soon?

Best advice; Listen to your doctor. Take it easy, and give your brain the rest it needs to restore normal function.

If you'd like to learn more about concussions, click HERE now.