[1 of 6] "You Look Great!" : Inside a TBI

[vlsa2]

I was born with Cognitive Brain Injury. I only got my second opinion of that proper diegnoses after I turned 50, throughout my life I had gotten into car wrecks that was a miracle I lived through...

My first diegnoses I was 50. Not much recovery as far as work ever is in my future beyond volunteering, I find volunteering teaching for 2 hours a week a compiter lab. I can understand and score high in understanding computer software. I cannot do puzzles like you can though.

[ClimbingMyWayOut]

I found your first few videos, before they were completed; so much of what you said felt true to my story as a TBI survivor. Now a Few years later I've started to video blog about my experience...inspired from you! I'm not that good at it yet..but learning. Thank you

[ClimbingMyWayOut]

@wenkle3 it use to be thought that a loss of consciousness was needed to sustain a TBI or concussion. As a TBI survivor from a concussion who has never had loss of consciousness...I can tell you that the doctors statement is no longer considered true. Wish you and your son all the best

[shpwrck1]

I am a TBI X2 survivor. Your series is great and I appreciate the time and effort you put into making this series. I am 6 years out now from my first car accident. (head on collision at 55 with a tree) and 2 years out from a neck fracture (Car hydroplaned and flipped end over end. I have never fully recovered from those events. But your series helped me understand what is wrong with me. Thank you!

[brainstormyful]

Thanks so much. You put into words and images what I am going through. I struggle to explain this to people but am unable to. I look great. I even worked for the first two months, trudging on in a fog, suffering from horrible headaches and a host of other symptoms. I was told by a neurologist right after the accident that whatever symptoms remained at 3 months would be permanent and there was nothing I could do, that I didn't need a follow up. Ultimately I got worse and got help. Thanks.

[TBINBD]

@brainstormyful You are welcome! So many have responded as you have, and I'm hoping that *eventually* the public will be educated about TBI, especially so-called "mild" TBI. I'm so glad you are getting the help you need. As much as you are able, QUANTIFY your injury for your doctors, therapists, and your lawyer if you have one. I wish you all the best in your continued recovery. Don't let anyone tell you that you are as recovered as you will get.

[dectiri]

What should have happened is that the ambulance would have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber of the soft kind like they have in Japan, and the hospital would have been waiting with the higher pressure HBOT chambers. Then the damage to the brain would have been stanched and the healing begun to be continued with more HBOT. In this country, the pharmaceutical drug pushers will wait til you are in cardiac arrest and then intubate, shock & desecrate Hippocrates.

Best wishes, look for referral even now.

[CabbageWise]

It took me a long time, but have become able to create a blog recently, to share my story, and hope to do as well as you someday to make a video. I have included your YouTube connection on my post today. Thank you, John. I want to include your name as soon as I learn how you spell it.

[DianaLynnCampbell]

Thank you so much for making this video. I sustained a TBI in August of 09 due to being hit by a careless driver. My TBI also has resulted in Absence/Petit Mal Epilepsy. I'm fortunate in some ways, my MRIs, CAT scans and EEGs confirmed the dianosis of TBI and Epilepsy. I have difficulty putting into words what it's like now living with a TBI. I watched your video and cried, knowing I wasn't alone.  My family now has a better understanding of what my TBI is like for me. Again, thank you.

[TBINBD]

@DianaLynnCampbell Words indeed. That's one of the tough parts of the injury, mild or worse. One of the main reasons we made the video is to help survivors explain their injury to their loved ones and caregivers. You are *not* alone, and you are most welcome. Be strong and good courage. The Lord is by no means done with you yet. We have survived the worst of it for a reason. May you bless others with your survival story.

[brainline]

Great inspirational video! Well told, I love the media incorporated throughout. Just added you to our playlist of must watch TBI videos.

[wenkle3]

Your video is very helpful in understanding mild brain injury. I have a son who sustained an injury at 3 and was only recently dx. We have been through psych drs for 13 years and no one ever even suggested the possibility. When I asked the current one, I was told if there was no LOC then there was no brain injury, but yet it is the only dx that fits the symptoms.

[TBINBD]

@wenkle3 Thank you for your note. I forgot to respond. Stay strong, keep the faith, you know what they don't know. More and more NOW is being learned about TBI, mild or otherwise. I and my co-author are about 85% done with our book that goes into some detail on most aspects of the injury. I wish all the best for your son.

[jans4981]

thank goodness someone from the inside is able to give the people from our old world a glimpse of our new world!!!

[Innernonexistence]

John, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for how I imagine this video has and shall educate people without TBI, and even those with. I know for me (TBI 3yrs) it's helped.

~ Caitlin

[TBINBD]

Hi Caitlin, thanks for your encouraging note! Chris and I will begin working on a sequel shortly.

[fitzklio]

My neuropsychologist said he has seen significant improvement for people with TBI even 20 years after the injury!

[TBINBD]

That's incredibly good to hear. I hadn't heard that many years before. I had a very unpleasant experience with a noted specialist who told an insurer that after 2 1/2 years with no improvement (and no other meds to try out on me) that it was likely that less 1% of my sequelae were due to a brain injury, and probably just apnea and depression. Just bcz doctors sometimes throw up their hands (in ignorance) doesn't mean we should. Thanks for sharing that.

[fitzklio]

I suffered a "mild to moderate"TBi in January 2005 when I was hit in the back of the head by an exhibit door at the museum where I worked. Your story explains the realities of TBI very well. I am finally back to work. I have lost a few things along the way, but God is faithful and I have a very supportive family. The videos are great!

[TBINBD]

That is terrific news! Glad you're doing so much better. A friend told me he experienced the most healing between years 3 and 5, so that's another reason for hope. God is indeed faithful, and you are blessed -- as am I -- to have a supportive family.

All the best to you,

John.

[jackwhittington]

The series is wonderful, John. Well conceived and produced. Thanks for bringing this out to the world. And best wishes for you and your family.

Mike M., The Competency Guy

[TBINBD]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your encouragement.

[hanover73]

Thanks so much for putting this together. You have told my story as you tell yours. My injury happened around the same time. So hard for others to get inside our head. "How are you?" that was always a hard one. I would look to my husband for that answer cause I couldn't figure out how to put those pieces together. Gotta love the jigsaw puzzles. And for me it was coloring as well. Can't wait for the last 2 parts.

[TBINBD]

Thanks for your note. I'm hoping Parts 5 and 6 will be finished in mid-November. I hope you're well on your way to recovery, and if not, that you're finding ways to get through each day with courage and joy.

[tigerlorenz]

Congratulations John!! You and your son have done an amazing job on this. I hope it has been a fun project also. It is sure to help many survivors and family members, and provide insights for healthcare professionals. Congratulations again. Laura

[TBINBD]

Thanks Laura. I agree on all counts!

[justcmb]

Whoops! Sorry John, justcmb is me, Colleen, not exactly obvious now is it? :-)

[TBINBD]

Hi Colleen! I never thought of you as "just" Colleen.

[timrice10]

John, Great video! I look forward to seeing the next segments. And as always I like your sense of humor with the facts and real life situation. Thanks for letting me know about this video post. Hope you are doing well.

[TBINBD]

Hi Tim, long time no talk to. Thanks for your note . . . My humor comes across in the script but Chris's humor is all over the video! He's a piece of work all right.

[dontsendmeanybs]

Good job, GREAT vid!

[TBINBD]

Hey there, thanks for your note. Chris did a bang-up job all right!

[clifffrog]

Very interesting and informative. A good mix of facts and anecdotes keeps up the pace and makes the information memorable.

[TBINBD]

Awesome . . . that's exactly what we were going for. Thanks. Part 5 goes up shortly, then Part 6 in late October (drumroll please . . . )

[poppajimmitchell]

John, The video was brilliant! Looking forward to the rest. Well done!

[TBINBD]

Chris's brilliance is becoming downright viral! Thanks Poppa Jim.

[justcmb]

John - Nice job! In true John style, many laughs and smiles among the seriousness. Is that a word? Seriousness? Alert Websters! Looking forward to the next installment...

[TBINBD]

Hey there, thanks!

[poppasblosm]

Really great video - I look forward to the next installments. Oh - and you look GREAT!!

[TBINBD]

Well shucks, I try!

Installments 2 through 4 are now up . . . 5 and 6 to follow.