September is taking us close to our fifth month after the accident. At one point I heard from one of the many medical-type people that have cross our path since the accident, that if anything is going to happen after a Traumatic Head Injury (THI), it is going to happen within the first three months.
Well, that seems to be one of the many myths around THI, not one person's recovery can be measured against another's ups and downs.
For us the end of the fourth month and the beginning of the fifth have seen Mark advance a little more each day.
One day he was trying to scratch his chin, the next he was scratching his nose, the next pushing his glasses up his nose, and most recently for the last three days he takes tissue paper or moist-wipes to clean his chin or mouth. He also moves his left leg with good coordination, even avoiding obstacles (the right one is following along at a slower speed).
He is also trying to use pen and paper, but we need to work on that longer for his left hand to take over the job (he was always right handed), on top of motor coordination.
But, so far we really have not had long periods with no gaining grown over the THI.
So if your love one has any possibility, be patient, loving and help him/her keep trying. Keep a record of any drill you perform, for example writing, or range of motion and make notes about his/her attitude, attention and the time spend on the drill. In this way you can chart down a clear progress or you can analyze what your doing to rise or lower the difficulty for him/her. But what ever your do don't give up, it takes time, but it took time the first time around when any one of us started to talk, write, eat, walk, etc.
2 comments:
Dear Rosy,
I only just heard about Mark's accident. I am so sorry. I met Mark at a LCSNA meeting in Chicago a year or so back, and thought he was a sweet and interesting person. I am glad to hear he is progressing, and wish both of you the best.
~ Sarah Adams
We were so sorry to hear of Mark's accident, and have only just discovered this site. Thank you for writing the site. We wish Mark recovery. I am sure he knows you are there for him and helping him to get better, and it will make all the difference to him. People who have come through this kind of trauma feel how important relatives are in encouraging them back. You must feel the reward too every step of the way when you see improvements and responses
It is so true, what you say about not knowing how any one individual will respond. Doctors can make generalisations only.
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