Total Entries: 197 Edie Abbott Saturday, 8/4/01, 11:33 AM   Dear Betsy, Love your web site! Do you know of any acute TBI rehab that is experianced in working with a totally blind patient? We are looking for one for our 21 year old son. We don't care what state it is in. Thank you, Edie Abbott (Mom) abbotexc@freeway.net   From: Hubbard Lake, MI E-mail: abbotexc@freeway.net   Monica Jobin Wednesday, 8/1/01, 9:17 PM   Betsy, Thank you for sharing your personal experience with your Mother's rehabilitation process. I'm currently at the end of the OTA program at Baker College in Muskegon. I found your story while looking for information needed for a practical I will be performing in 2weeks. The practicals are based on three casestudies one on TBI, another On CVA, and finally one on Arthritis. I was able to come up with some good ideas based on your therapy style that might be applied to my casestudy. Thank you Monica Jobin, OTAS   From: Spring Lake, MI E-mail: newberry55@hotmail.com   Sheryl Mears Tuesday, 7/31/01, 8:13 AM   I just read the other guest sign-ins, and wanted to add my husband's story. He crashed his motorcycle 2 weeks ago, no one hit him, or did he hit anyone. Went straight on a curved ramp and fortunately down a grassy small slope. But he hit his head hard enough, and has been in a coma two weeks today. He has no other physical injuries, just bleeding in the brain and pressure. No new ones or worsening since, yet the doctors are keeping him in Critical Care with drugs to keep him in the coma. I dont understand that at all. Not for two weeks, and they said they would keep him under for another week. I think I can see him trying to respond, but he's too far under. I still try to make sure I say positive things to him, and not let doctors and nurses talk around him like he isnt there. Not so easy, since I am Deaf, and they treat me like deaf equals dumb. I get so little info, I have to ask my brother to call or come in and get it out of them, and let me know. Doesnt help that he's in a hospital an hour from home, and I am the only one at home. My brother does what he can, but he also lives another hour from me in another direction. And I'm having problems trying to find support from anywhere, not knowing where to start. But, after reading others and Betsy's, my heart is hopeful, so many seemed to have had worse injuries, and they recovered beautifully. Thank you for the hope.   From: Vista, CA   Sheryl Mears Tuesday, 7/31/01, 7:55 AM   Thank you for your page, Betsy. It has given me hope and confirmed what I believed in how we can affect the healing in our loved ones.   From: Vista, CA E-mail: maldragoness@aol.com   Kathy Monday, 7/30/01, 6:53 PM   Thank you so much for sharing your story. It helps to know that I am not the only one who is in this bind. My son suffered a TBI from shaken baby syndrome at the hands of his father. He suffered a fractured skull and was without oxygen for almost a half hour. He too was not expected to live. We have tried all of your methods and then some and they sure do work. Although he is nowhere near where he should be today, he is alive and doing fairly well. He is my true miracle. There are definatley days where it seems like I just can't go on like this anymore and then he does something to give me a little encouragement. Thank you again for your site. It sure brought my spirits up tonight. Have a good night and the best of luck to you and yoru mother.   From: New York E-mail: birdwoman1970@aol.com   Angela Hatchard Friday, 7/27/01, 11:34 AM   My brother who is 32yrs was in a car accident last year and is now recovering from a coma. He is learning to walk, talk, eat. I was just wondering if you were able to get outside financial aid. My parents have no insurance nor does my brother. He is on Medicaid and Texas Rehabilitation commission has been paying for his care while he is in Austin. They are now talking about him coming home and we would have to pay the $10,000 a month rehabilitation. My father had to retire to help my brother and my mom is the only income. I have moved home to help also. If you have any insight on where we can look for help please email me back. Thank you.   From: Dallas E-mail: hatchardangela@hotmail.com   Joan Thursday, 7/26/01, 1:31 PM   Our son sufferes a fractured skull and an ensuing stroke on the right side of his brain, we are currently in our 6th month of his re-hab, he is walking with a cane but still has to get his left ankle working along with his left arm and hand he was only 22 at the time of his accident, on top of everything his insurance refused to pay due to a clause in the back of the book, It has been traumatic for all of us including and especially him do you know of any sights for aid or funds as he still has to have a cranioplasty to replace the right side of his skull which was removed to save his life.   From: Florida E-mail: mx385@aol.com   Julie Thursday, 7/26/01, 9:37 AM   My father is recovering from a fall that he took on July 7th. He is out of ICU and they are moving him to a nursing home for rehab. Right now he is pretty unresponsive but has said a few words and is able to move his arms and legs. He is still on a feeding tube, because he is not able to swallow correctly. It helped to read some of your suggestions and I will try some of them when the time is appropriate.   From: Green Bay, WI E-mail: julie.fiest@unilever.com     Monday, 7/23/01, 2:36 PM   E-mail: cynthiab@0357hotmail.com   Deena Womack Sunday, 7/22/01, 11:56 AM   I have a 12 year old daughter that suffered a TBI in 1992. She was never expected to live or to accomplish many of the things that she has today. But I have always believed love and lots of positive reinforecement has made a world of difference in her life. She will always be a little slower than the rest of her peers and has lost a lot of her hearing, but she walks, talks, works hard at school and loves to play video games. She is my miracle.   From: Ohio E-mail: DWomack@sygmanetwork.com   Alisha Thursday, 7/19/01, 4:42 PM   Betsy, I have a 13 yr old son who suffered massive brain injuries in a 4 wheeler accident in Feb, 2001. He is one of the miracles! He had to have reconstructive surgery on his face but from the chin down he was perfectly fine. He had no fractures other than those in his face. He was in a coma for 2 wks & stayed in PICU for 3 wks. He was in a children's rehab center in Jackson MS for a month. He continues to see a speech therapist for cognitive issues & it appears will be seeing an occupational therapist again shortly. The dr's told us that if this accident had happened to an adult, they would be dead. There was no way they could have survived. The Lord saw fit to keep my son here. My son not only survived, but he returned to school just 2 months after the accident! The things that you have done for your Mom are alot of the things I did for my son both while he was in the hosp, at rehab & since he has been home. Thank you for taking your time to put these ideas out here for other families to read about them. Encouragement is truly one of the best things for a family going through this situation. You have given us that. Thank you again. Alisha   From: Meridian, MS E-mail: texasfreckles@aol.com   Jim Fox Thursday, 7/19/01, 11:43 AM   My son was in a car accident 7/1/2001. He has been in a coma since that date. He was admitted as Level 4 coma and now is graded as Level 8. Severe posturing kept him heavily sedated for the first 15 days. He got pneumonia at approxamtely day 10 and a staff infection in his blood on day 15 and today we find out he has a staff infection in his lungs that is not responding to antibiotics. His Mother and I are beginning to question his care. He is at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, PA. The hospital has fine reputation and his Dr., we have been told, is the best. ARE WE DOING THE BEST WE CAN FOR OUR SON? Help! Jim jim@foxglass.com   From: Uniontown, PA E-mail: jim@foxglass.com   Jim Fox Thursday, 7/19/01, 11:35 AM   From: Uniontown, PA   Sharon Goodin Wednesday, 7/18/01, 11:09 AM   My husband was a Correctional Officer that was severally hurt in prison riot on 09/12/2000, The warden & Chief of Security froze up and just watched him get beat for a hour or more, Know he has memorie loss, severe mood swings, depression, no sexual drive, anger and alot more, The doctors gave us both a diagonsis of what the veitnam vets have, cant rember the name just right know, There is no one I can talk to except the doctors, and they always tell me its not his fault, I know that, I just need to talk to someone that would listen!!! I love my husband with all my heart & soul & will always be here for him. I was there through all his surgeries, they said he would'nt make it and if he did he may never rember me, but every 2 hours when I got to see him for 30 minutes I talked to him held him and told him I love him and who I was, it took over a month to be able to tell me who I'am and my name. I brought him home after rehab 2 months later and have taken care of him through good & bad. I didnt relize by the time we got home it had been over 2 months, being there by his side 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, sleeping in the SICU waiting room, when I slept at all> Thank you for this beautiful web site, And to everyone just keep praying and be there for your loved one that make a big diffrence in the recovery stages!!   From: Florence Arizona Web Site: hotmail.com E-mail: goodin_s@hotmail.com   Sharon Goodin Wednesday, 7/18/01, 10:58 AM   My husband was a Correctional Officer that was severally hurt in prison riot on 09/12/2000, The warden & Chief of Security froze up and just watched him get beat for a hour or more, Know he has memorie loss, severe mood swings, depression, no sexual drive, anger and alot more, The doctors gave us both a diagonsis of what the veitnam vets have, cant rember the name just right know, There is no one I can talk to except the doctors, and they always tell me its not his fault, I know that, I just need to talk to someone that would listen!!! I love my husband with all my heart & soul & will always be here for him.   From: Florence Arizona Web Site: hotmail.com E-mail: goodin_s@hotmail.com   Bonnie Perry Monday, 7/16/01, 8:01 PM   Our 18 year old daughter collapsed and suffered a severe subdural hematoma and two strokes before brain surgery relieved the pressure. They probably wouldn't have operated on her except she was four months pregnant and they thought maybe they could keep her alive long enough to deliver the baby. She was totally unresponsive for six weeks. In that time we talked, played music, rubbed lotion, exercised joints, showed pictures and even though she was NPO we would let her suck on candy canes. Ever so slowly she began to respond. It wasn't like they show it in the movies, one day they are in a coma, the next they are awake and talking. Every day was a struggle; one step forward, two back. Finally by the first of March, four months after her initial hospitalization she was moved into the ante- partum unit to await the birth of her baby. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on March 23, 2001. She delivered the baby natural with no drugs. She did a fantastic job of staying focused through her delivery. She named her angel baby Malika Kiley. Minta, our daughter, is now at CCS, a re-hab center in Carbondale, Il. We are taking care of Malika. We make the five hour one way trip every other week-end so Minta can spend some time with her baby. I agree with all of your strategies for reaching out to the patient in a coma; especially not letting "the professionals" make negative comments at bedside. For a long time after Minta "woke up", she thought she had died because the staff had discussed at her bedside that there was no chance for her survival. Like your mother, she proved them wrong. Today Minta is walking, talking doing all of her own adl's re-learning to cook and working on skills to help her take care of her daughter. When we take the baby to visit she gives her a bottle, burps her, changes diapers, dresses her, and most of all enjoys loving her. The only thing we can't let her do right now is walk holding her, because sometimes her balance is a little unsteady. She can push the stroller through the mall for hours though. I've rambled long enough. Thank you for all your tips and words of encouragement to all of us who are fairly new to TBI. It's nice to hear from others that things we have tried or are tring have worked for others. I know we will never get a word of encouragement from the medical profession. Feel free to e-mail me at the address listed. I await your reply. Bonnie   From: Toluca, Illinois E-mail: pperry@maxiis.com   Toby Edmondson Saturday, 7/14/01, 8:04 PM   A wonderful sharing site. You are a model for other familiy members and caregivers. Thank you for openning your life for others to have a path to follow. You indeed are a road sign on the path we travel.   From: La Porte City, Iowa Web Site: Mind Menders E-mail: tedmond@netins.net   Leslie Perry Friday, 7/13/01, 9:04 PM   Thanks so much for the e-mail and for this wonderful website, Betsy! It's great...and I whole-heartedly believe in your methods! I've used them myself with my niece (who suffered a TBI from a car accident June 5th, 2001). She sustained brainstem shearing, staying at Level 1 on coma scale for almost 3 weeks..."totally unresponsive" according to the Drs. They gave us a grim prognosis, saying it would take a miracle for her to ever achieve ANY level of awareness, let alone lead a productive life again. We KNEW she was in there and KNEW that she heard us from almost the beginning...even with no physical response whatsoever. We continued talking to her and touching her, etc...used her own shampoo/lotions/perfume/etc...played her favorite music...took photos of her (getting totally strange looks from the nurses, of course, as we talked to her, fixed her hair, and made her "look pretty" for the pictures!). We all praised her mightily when she was able to raise an eyebrow or wiggle a toe. Since she didn't open her eyes that whole time, we explained every gift or card or bunch of flowers that arrived for her, telling who they were from...read her letters from family and friends, etc...told her every minute that she was going to be alright...that we understood she was "sleeping/healing" and that was OK, but that we missed her and wished she'd hurry back to us...that she was a fighter and had so much to live for...told her silly jokes/inside jokes/personal reminiscing. All I can say is that IT WORKS! That and lots of prayer and love, of course :) She is now completely out of her coma and is in rehab doing wonderfully! It will be a long road to recovery, of course...but we are now on the road and rushing forward happily. I never once let myself believe that she was "gone" and we didn't let HER believe that either. Her "first words" (not actually spoken, but you'll have to read the story to understand that - see her Update Page titled "She's AWAKE!") should be a light for us all...hope for those of you still in the darkness, trying hard not to believe the horrible things the Drs. are saying about your loved one...NEVER GIVE UP HOPE...Kimmie's "first words" were: "Believe in miracles! They happen every day..." To read her story, see her photos, and see yet another amazing story of hope and recovery...please visit her website at www.discoverhiddensecrets.com/KimberlyAnne.html Thanks again, Betsy!   From: Kentucky Web Site: Kimmie's Website E-mail: mperry@mis.net   Holly Davis Friday, 7/13/01, 8:47 AM   Hi Betsy, You are a truly amazing lady, and apparently it runs in the family. Your story if truly inspiring. All the best to you and your mother.   From: Austin, Texas Web Site: Brain Injury Association of Texas E-mail: info@biatx.org   Brenae Brenner Thursday, 7/12/01, 10:46 AM   My sister(47years - mother & wife) is in a coma. Saturday, June 23rd she suffered a suberachnoid(sp) hemorage. The doctors said there was sever damage to the entire left side of her brain. We are not giving up hope but we are tired & frustrated.   From: New York E-mail: bbrenner@topnotchgraphics.com   Cliff Weaver Thursday, 7/12/01, 8:45 AM   You are so correct on your theory of Love-Praise Cliff Weaver   From: MyrtleBeach,SouthCaroina E-mail: cweaver@sc.rr.com   Stefanie Moke Wednesday, 7/11/01, 1:39 PM   Hi my name is Stefanie and I personally am a TBI survivor. On October 2, 1999, I was riding a 4 wheeler with my boyfriend. I do not remember a lot of it, but we hit a truck. I was not wearing a helmet at the time and I flew off and hit the front bumper of the truck. I was lifeflighted to OSF Saint Francis and was in a coma for 12 days. The doctors thought I would die for the first 4 days after the injury, but I suprised them and came out of the coma 12 days later. They were astonished to see me walk and talk again. Now, almost 2 years later, I am a Junior in highschool and have earned almost all of my credits. I am receiving A's and B's and I am still working toward full recovery. I am so thankful to God and also the many doctors that operated on me. Also, I want to tell you that I am very happy to hear about your mother's recovery. Congratulations to her and the rest of your family! Please write me back if you or anyone reads this. I would really like to talk to you.Sincerily, Stefanie.   From: Illinois Web Site: playa4lif03 E-mail: playa4lif03@aol.com   Robin Monday, 7/9/01, 8:59 PM   Hi, I am so glad your mom is doing so well. My husband had a 4-wheeler accident 1 month ago today. He came home from the hospital last Friday and is doing very well. He was in nicu for 10 days and had surgery for a intercranal bleed on the left temprel lobe. They told me he may not make it through the surgery and if he did he could be in a vegitable state. We did some of the same things as you and it worked for us. Now the Doctors are saying he could possible go back to work as a diesel mechanic in 3 months. God Bless You.   From: Alabama E-mail: toby460@aol.com   mary Sunday, 7/8/01, 8:41 PM   hi this is great reading my husband got hit by a car nov 2000 and i was told the same he would be a vegitable . he know talks but still cant walk but is very aggitate . how long of a recoery did it take your mom it is 7 month. thank you mary   From: mass E-mail: mailto:jcf255@aol   JOE Sunday, 7/8/01, 3:51 PM   HI,IM 48 YEARS OLD & MY BEST FRIEND IS AN ALCOHOLIC. HE MADE $600,000.00+ PER YEAR LIVES IN AN OCEANSIDE RESIDENCE IN CALIFORNIA.HE ALSO IS 48 YEARS OLD.WE ARE HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES & HE IS GODFATHER TO MY DAUGHTER.HES MY BEST FRIEND.TWO MONTHS AGO HE CAME TO CHICAGO TO VISIT US.HE HADNT BEEN DRINKING FOR A FEW DAYS.THE SECOND NIGHT AT MY HOUSE HE STARTED TO HAVE THE DT'S & HALLUCINATE.IT LASTED ALL NIGHT & BY MORNING HE WAS STILL THE SAME.WE BROUGHT HIM TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM & THEY ADMITTED HIM TO INTENSIVE CARE AFTER THREE NIGHTS IN INTENSIVE CARE (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN NO FAMILY MEMBERS WERE THERE)HE CHOKED ON HIS OWN SALIVA/SECRETIONS & THE NURSE DID NOT RESPOND IN ENOUGH TIME.HE LOST OXYGEN TO HIS BRAIN & NOW HAS BEEN IN A COMALIKE/VEGETATIVE STATE FOR 6 WEEKS.ALL HE CAN DO IS OPEN HIS EYES & LOOK AT US.HE CAN NOT TALK,EAT,& CAN SOMETIMES MOVE HIS ARMS IN STIFFLY TOWARD HIS SIDES.HE HAS A TRACH TUBE & A FEEDING TUBE IN HIS STOMACH.I CANT BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED TO HIM.I HOPE HE CAN RETURN LIKE YOUR MOM DID.JOE   From: CHICAGO E-mail: ARTVOGUE@AOL.COM   Andrea Miles Saturday, 7/7/01, 9:05 PM   My fiance was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. He was airvacced to the hospital with several broken bones and severe burns. For the first week he was heavily medicated and doctors did surgery on his injuries. He was intubated for 10 days because of heavy sedation. He is now on the burn unit and off heavy sedation(morphine once and awhile) He had no skull fractures, no bleeding or swelling but he has some big cuts on his head which means he hit it hard. I'm just now seeing the extent of his head injury and it hurts. I have done all of the things you did with your mother so hopefully it helped. The doctors say he will be fine but I see he is struggling. Reading your story has given me some hope that with hard work he will be ok.   From: Goodyear Arizona E-mail: sinjinevad@earthlink.net   pam aldrich Friday, 7/6/01, 1:45 PM   From: phoenix,az E-mail: mailto:bkwrmpam1@aol   Kristen Wednesday, 7/4/01, 2:02 PM   My life as a wife changed in December of 1999 when my husband was injured at work. He suffered a TBI and was in a coma for 9 days, barely hanging on to life. He too has been considered a miracle. He was thought to never walk again let alone return to work. A year and a half later and he has full funtion of every limb, and has returned to work in the same job duties just this week. He does have some problems with his vision now, tingling on his right side,short term memory loss and personality changes. Considering how hard he has worked and what was his "expected recovery" was, he is happy to be alive. We caregivers and loved ones need support too, it's great to see you site! Struggles continue in our family daily because of this injury. Because of short term memory loss, he sometimes forgets where the children are playing (they are 9 & 12),if you said you were going to the market etc. But I too used some of the same techniques used with your mother. The massaging, constant encouragement, talking only positvly even while he was in the coma etc. I beleive that this was a big impact on my husbands recovery, in addition to his own will to recover to his old self.   From: Covina California E-mail: kmfaulkn@scwater.com   William Hayes Monday, 7/2/01, 10:33 AM   My wife and I are TBI survivors. In Nov 1985, Wendy was a passanger in a Mustang being raced by an ex- boyfriend against a Red Porche. The Mustang hit a Georgia Man Hole and flipped over, the passenger door opened allowing Wendy to be thrown from the car as it flipped. Her parents were besides themselves with grief for 3 months during her coma. She spent the next three years recouperating in rehabilitation hospitals. Today, She can stand, walk slowly, talk coherently, but has trouble remembering things. She does have difficulty with some concepts. I do not like to talk about my three week coma resulting from a plane crash. I can walk, talk, and seem semi coherent. But I too, have difficulty with simple concepts. Neither of us are good at holding down a simple job, any help at getting a @home job would be greatly appreciated. (Considering there are so many @home jobs that are SCAMS, this might prove to be HARD :)   From: Bedford, Texas E-mail: technofix.tx@netzero.net   Sharon Roemer Friday, 6/29/01, 7:32 AM   My son Eric (then 16 yrs. old) had a severe TBI from a motorcycle accident 12/21/99. The doctors didn't give us much hope. He went through all the same things as your Mom. The agitated stage was the most difficult because he would kick, bite and swear at anyone who tried to help him. I used many of your techniques with him also. When he was in rehab we filled his room with pictures of family and friends. One of the first times I heard him speak was with a therapist and he was identifying people in the pictures. When he came home, 4 months later, we would spend hour after hour looking at pictures. This I believe helped immensely with his regaining long term memory. Now, a year and a half later, he has graduated high school, has his drivers license, and is working as a mechanic (his goal).   From: Dudley, Massachusetts E-mail: supertempo2@yahoo.com   Renee Thursday, 6/28/01, 11:33 AM   Sorry, I meant she fell through her attic.   From: Texas E-mail: rjw9244@unix.tamu.edu   Renee Thursday, 6/28/01, 11:32 AM   Thank you for this. I completely believe it. My mother had an accident around Christmas this year. She fell through her attack and had sever head trauma to the point they had to remove part of her left frontal lobe. They said she would die or be a vegetable if she lived. Last month she went on a cruise to Alaska. Because of your page, I now know a lot of the things we did for her helped save her. Thank you.   From: Texas E-mail: rjw9244@unix.tamu.edu   SHELLY PARRISH Thursday, 6/28/01, 9:49 AM   BETSY, YOUR STORY IS VERY TOUCHING. MY SON AT THE AGE OF 15 WAS A PASSENGER IN A CAR,THEY WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY SON HAS TBI. IT HAS BEEN VERY HARD ON ALL OF US DEALING WITH THIS INJURY BUT WITH THE HELP FROM GOD WE ARE DOING FINE. WE JUST BOUGHT THIS COMPUTER AND BOY OH BOY THE INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN GET IS GREAT. I JUST WISH I KNEW IF THERE WAS A CHAT ROOM FOR PEOPLE LIKE US TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER AND HELP EACH OTHER. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME READ THE STORY OF YOUR MOTHER AND GOD BLESS. SHELLY PARRISH   From: NORTHPORT, FLORIDA E-mail: ZACBINKS1@AOL.COM   Kim Monday, 6/25/01, 2:08 PM   Hello Betsy, Thank you SO much for taking the time to put together this web site. I cannot tell you what a lift it has given to me already. My dad had a 4-wheeler accident two days ago and is in ICU with head injury and 4 broken ribs. He had bleeding inside his head, which has stopped according to CT scan. He had a head seizure yesterday and the doctors are telling us they do not like to see that, because it damages brain cells. He is very aware of what's going on, can push/pull his left foot, can squeeze our hand, can smile occasionally and can print the letters A, B, and C on a sheet of paper when asked to by the therapist. But it is scarry--he cannot currently swallow and so must go on a feeding tube for now. But your story, and the comments of other people on this site who have written in, have already encouraged me. We are already being positive while around my dad, but will definitely show your letter to his doctor and follow your suggestions wherever applicable in the days, weeks and months to come. God bless you for never, never, never giving up and for thinking of others who are going through the same thing.   From: Union Mills, Indiana Web Site: (none) E-mail: kimberly.land@quantitude.com   David R. 36 Monday, 6/25/01, 6:25 AM   Hello Betsy: Your doing, you've done a great job here. Bless you and others for the help. I have to come back too much for one visit for me. I'll be back. Take Care.. David R. "SURVIVING 2 D EXTREME OF LIFE"   From: Lynn, Massachusetts Web Site: Surviving Brain Injury E-mail: ElToro518@aol.com   Margi Sunday, 6/24/01, 6:10 PM   Thanks for the encouragement. My dad had a putitary tumor in 1977, now 3/01 had burrhole surgery for chronic subdural hematoma. He is losing ground showing severe signs of dementia and getting aggressive. I'm hanging on as hard as I can but it is so hard. Everyday is different and a challenging reward. I'm glad your mom is doing good. . .thanks for the ideas. Keep us in your prayers. My dad's name is Ron. Margi :o)   From: Tennessee E-mail: MStory4094@aol.com   espranza H.gonzalez Friday, 6/22/01, 4:46 PM   From: San Jose, California 95133 E-mail: 1940 Wave Place,   Melissa Turben Friday, 6/22/01, 2:23 PM   Hi there! I first contacted you in early May after my husband was in a motorcycle accident. He is home now, but has terrible memory. He basically forgot about a lot of things that happened about a month before the accident. He had made payments arrangements for a bill before the accident and has forgotten what they were. He forgot where is mom lived. This is all very frustrating for him and for me, as I never had to keep track of bills paid before. He is making great progress with everything. Thank you for your site, it helped me out knowing that what my husband was going/is going through is very normal. God bless you! Melissa Turben   From: Woodland, California E-mail: lmturben@aol.com   carlos Wednesday, 6/20/01, 11:08 AM   We have a loved one in need of what you did,and we are attempting to do the same.She's just in the beginning, 9days in a coma.C.   From: killingworth-ct E-mail: cp450A@aol.com   Patty Trippe Wednesday, 6/20/01, 9:29 AM   From: NY E-mail: trippe7@yahoo.com   Randa Gordon Tuesday, 6/19/01, 3:58 PM   My 17 (almost 18)year old daughter was in a car wreck in April. She was the front seat passenger and yes, she was buckled up! Her head and right elbow (she'd put up her arms to protect her face) hit the right passenger window, breaking it out, breaking her skull in two places and cutting her up. Her top vertibrae broke, too. She's still recovering and has made great strides but she's in denial about her "differences" (as opposed to before the wreck). I am very thankful for her progress...the EMT's didn't think she'd survive and if she did she'd be in a long term care facility, but I can't convince her she's not 100% the same.   From: Norfolk, VA E-mail: randamom@yahoo.com   scott page Monday, 6/18/01, 1:49 PM   thank you for your words. my father-in-law was brutily beaten by three boys in his own home. he has been recovering now for 9 weeks. he did not move anything for 5 weeks then things started to happen! first his fingers then his arms and slowly but surely he has continued improving. being 80 years old kept the doctors from being optimistic but his family never gave up on him. he is now beginning to talk and even walk with some assistance. my advice to all of you out there is to remember the great n.c. state basketball coach, jim valvano, who said "never give up, don't ever give up."   From: macon,ga E-mail: scottegap@aol.com   yanaka hoffman Saturday, 6/16/01, 6:59 PM   My father-in-law was in a motor cycle accident 10/28/00. His brain was severely injured, the right temporal lobe was partially removed because of pressure agains the skull. His broke: left clavicle, pelvis, left leg (all have healed finally). He is currently in a nursing home and we are preparing to bring him home. He is in a Stage 4 Coma state, responding to noises, voices, stimulation. He is beginning to reach out for something that isn't there (the start of Stage 5). We firmly believe being in his own home with us providing his care will promote his healing process. He will walk and talk and enjoy life again! Thank you for all of your observations, I will let you know what we go through and discover as dad heals and comes back to us. Thank you, Yanaka   From: arkansas E-mail: yahoffman@aol.com   Robbin Heaton Friday, 6/15/01, 7:57 PM   Hi thank you for a sight to help in my little sisters recovery. A little over a month ago my sister mary beth wright was struck head on by a very drunk driver that killed him instantly and left my sister with brain injuries. I have been looking for support pages and happened to read about yours that is so wonderful about your mom I hope she continues to be well and I truley hope these can help my sister she is 19 and they said she has her age on her side. Two weeks after the wreck she came down with sepsis I dont know if you are familiar with this or not but it just about took her life too. It has truley been a stressful time and i pray for people dearly because you just dont know the pain that goes on in this world until you spend time in an ICU waiting area. I thank you for your support page and hope your mother continues to be well, my sincerest thanks, Robbin Heaton   From: Easley , SC E-mail: mrmch01@aol.com   Susan Jones Friday, 6/15/01, 8:06 AM   I just wanted to tell you what a great person you are to take such a positive roll in your Moms recovery. My 5 year old daughter had the same injury as your Mom, they did however operate right away. This has been 1 month ago today, she is standing next to me playing Nintendo, Walking, Talking and doing everything she did before the accident. It is VERY important for loved ones to talk positive about the recovery, talk, talk, talk to the person, hold their hand, read them books, play music, or videos. You will see a very quick successful recovery. I witnessed first hand the difference in recovery when you don't have the love and support. I saw small children in the beds at the hospital not doing well at all, not once did I see a parent, a family member, or any other person come to see them. They were very sad and lonely. They had no reason to get better. You are a great daughter and a good person. You will be truly blessed in your life.   From: Gainesville, Florida   Joann Massey, Psy.D. Tuesday, 6/12/01, 12:21 PM   Nice Job! I will definitely send family members for a peek at your experience and insights.   From: West Florida Hospital E-mail: joann@slowlane.com   Bobby Parr Thursday, 6/7/01, 5:38 PM   My 20 yr old son was recently in a horse-riding accident. He was semi-comatose for 4 days or so. Three weeks later he now is in a rehab hospital. He has limited short term memory and is aggressive at times. He's very tired. He is in New Orleans and I am in Massachusetts. I call him daily and am sending him a photo album. I don't know what I can do for him. Any thoughts?   From: Massachusetts E-mail: Nurscaseman@aol.com   Sheila Mathias Wednesday, 6/6/01, 8:41 PM   My accident happend 8/8/99 The depression is killing me!!!(Sorry bad way to put it) Will it ever end??? I'm reading ALL I can on TBI. I understand your story SOOO well!! Thank you / Sheila   From: Shiloh, OH. Web Site: Copperfast E-mail: paultaylor@Copperfast.com   Sondi Castle Tuesday, 6/5/01, 8:17 PM   On May 17, 2001 my husband received a TBI from falling in the house. I also find many family members very negative, I'm very happy to hear that my hopes and faith that my husband will be one of the few that recooperates not one of the many that doesn't is NOT DENIAL!!!!! I have printed out your story and posted it in my husbands room for all visitors and caregivers to read along with a sign that reads "SMILE HE HEARS YOU". Thanks for sharing your story.   From: South Florida E-mail: sondic@aol.com   Teri Bynum Tuesday, 6/5/01, 3:55 PM   I just want to tell you thank you for sharing your story. I am a caregiver also to my 35 yr old husband who had simular injurys from a work related crane accident. it has been 8 mths now, and he also can walk, talk, do almost what he use to could do except for his job he used to do which was heavy construction, he is off and at home for at least another year, but I was very touched by your story and agree so much about the talking posotive, always I spoke posotive, but came up against challenges with other family members that thought he would not be the same, or that he would not walk or talk like a baby, well like you I didnt take it either, I had a couple of firm talks with these family members, we needed posotive reinforcement, and I dedicated all of my time doing just that, I was afraid to leave him at times because of the other visitors that came in when he was in a coma, I always wondered what they said out loud, but I tried to always be there. well we really appreciate your story.. good luck and god bless. Teri & Billy Bynum   From: Fort Worth TX E-mail: bynumt70@yahoo.com   (Members can delete entries.)