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The TBI Chatroom |
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In 1992 I met the man who would change my life in ways I couldn't fathom. We were returning from his cottage on Sept 27, 1992 when he pulled out to pass another vehicle, in his 79 Corvette. The steering was faulty in the car and he knew that; but must have forgotten. The car oversteered to the left. We hit the gravel, spun around 180 degrees, shot across the road and cut off 6 or 7 wood posts to keep you from going over into a valley and the wire holding them together tore off the roof and hung me. Rescue people had to stabilize the car before they could get us out since we were hanging by the wire that was around my neck. They took us to Uxbridge hospital and transferred me to Sunnybrook Trauma Centre. They could not sedate me because I had closed head injuries, a vein in the left frontal lobe burst, so they had to drill into my head in four spots to attach a halo vest without any sedative. I took out two nurses with my nails and then they cut them off. After that I went into a coma for about a day and then I was diagnosed with a burst vein in the left frontal lobe, hangman's fracture of the second vertebrae. At best I could expect to be paralysed from the chin down. I also had lacerations of the left mandible and burns to my neck and wrist. Most of my stay in the hospital is a blur as my memory was not functioning at that point very well. The staff was very good with me and seemed to find me highly amusing as I became a child again in my actions and thoughts. I regressed back to about the age of 4 and when I was released from hospital 2 and a half weeks later I was placed into my parents care. My Mom would have to bathe me, dress me and feed me for almost 3 months and leave me in the care of my Father while she went to work. My depression was not solved until 1996 when it was discovered my brain stem had been damaged in the accident and was not producing enough Seratonin. This battle is ongoing to find the right medication and according to most medical sources will be an ongoing battle the rest of my life. I battled to get work to take me back several times. I worked about 3 years all together (part-time, unpaid) since the accident but although I worked for a big company there was no spot for me. BUT because I tried CPP says I'm able to work (was mostly a social thing for me to get out and I needed someone with me all the time) Now I'm not sure what happens. The good and maybe bad news is you cannot tell from looking at me what my body went through, small scars and a burn on my wrist. WHAT LUCK . Things are starting to look brighter and I am enjoying life to the fullest. I think the whole messy experience has changed me for the better. I am closer with my Mother then ever before and I find my capacity for loving and giving greater then ever. I have been contacted by many with problems along the same that I have dealt with and I hope I am helping them. My future was very fuzzy after the accident but is starting to come into focus. My Gemini lost her fight on June 20,2000, I will miss her dearly! she was my best friend in the world :) Email Marilyn
I was born December 29, 1964 in Scarborough, Ontario CANADA. My hobbies and interests are Muscle Cars, Drag Racing, Siberian Huskies, Wolves and generally enjoying life to the fullest!
In contrast my Siberian Husky was in the back of the car and escaped with a sore leg. What a gift from God that was.
Needless to say I lost most of my friends and my relationship crumbled. It also took a toll on my parents and they separated 6 months after my accident. The stress on my family was heavy and I loss both my Grandmothers in the same week a year after my accident and then a month and a half after my Dad died in December 1993.
My Mother has always stood by me but if your not injured then you really can't possibly understand the daily trials and the waves of emotions that are constantly coming. My Husky is still with me and a joy and a terror everyday. TBI Chat channel know her quite well as the Big Stink. Recently I moved up north where there is less input for my poor overloaded brain but then I decided to get two more dogs and for Xmas I got a Siberian Husky puppy. I get very little sleep and rest but I'm very very happy. In January of 1997 I meet a man whom I thought was my soulmate. He brought happiness and joy to my life I never thought possible (for a year) and I cherished every moment with him (yep I love him I'm an asshole). ROFLMAO for a 3 1/2 years anyway then he walked out on me October 2,2000 after lots of promises and his new life all set and didn't need me anymore :) I thought I'd been careful but he was a well trained LIAR!!!!!!
I've made the best of friends on www.tbihome.org and in 1998 we all gathered as many as could make it in Monroe, Michigan. What an uplifting experience, worked better than any anti-depressant I've found and felt like a long lost family reunion. I missed the 1999 one but made it to the Edmonton reunion in 2000 what a blast, they are the most uplifting, get togethers, always great for my self esteem which apparently I needed as the man in my life was VERY UNHAPPY :( and wouldn't be around much longer. I can take heart, apparently it wasn't me and he still loves me :) Damn I feel special eh?