My name is Karen and my life has become so peaceful. I guess this is the calm after the storm. I hope it lasts forever!! I was in a car accident when I was 17, in 1973. As a result of this I had a brain injury that caused some emotional and cognitive problems, but in 1973 no one knew to look for these type of deficits. Atleast not in my case. In 1990 I was diagnosed with a large brain tumor and had to have immediate surgery. They were able to remove most of it. Following this I was determined to be hydrocephalic and had surgery to place a shunt. Still no one mentioned that there was the possibility of any brain injury. The tumor was benign and the fact that I did not have cancer was family and doctors main concern. I was told to be thankful and get on with my life. So that is what I did--but things did not come together like they did before. I could not keep a job, could not get along with other people--so much anxiety. So for years I pretended that the world made sense. I played every one elses game so that I could fit in. Now it is 17 years later and I have just been approved for SSDI-I live alone with my new puppy. Finally time to relax and enjoy my life. I know that I have been blessed and that it all could have been so much worse. I am so thankful that the medical society finally realizes that there is always a possibilty that there is brain damage when there is a head injury. And so life goes on.....

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