The TBI Chatroom and Homepage

I am a Traumatic Brain Injury survivor. I thought the retirement years, I would look so forward to, would be filled with no "have to's, only relaxation, tennis, travel, sailing or where ever each new day would lead. Little did I know, that on 8-1-95 it would lead head-on into a bridge abuttment over the bay in New Bern, North Carolina. (1200 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, my home.) A short trip via helicopter took me to my new home for the next 8 weeks. Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC. I was found to have many internal injuries which required immediate surgery and lasted 5 1/2 hours. Two more surgeries that week did the trick for now and they decided I might live. Thank God for the terrific trauma team there, as I lived to be dismissed to continue my rehab in Fort Worth. (and 3 more surgeries)

I was told I had suffered a closed head injury by the attending rehab doctor. There was a possibility that there was brain stem damage, but they weren't sure. I never saw a neurologist there. I have seen one here in Fort Worth, however...

All that I know about head injury is what I have learned on my own. I learn so much from the John & Clara -Living with TBI list. Also, I am in touch daily with the TBI Support Group from St. John University. I enjoy both. If I had to "put in a nutshell" what I have learned since my "accident" it would be...

Instead of Hurry up and wait. It is now Slow down and wait

I am so grateful for all of the friends I have met on these two lists. They understand. Others say they do, but they can't. Patience, my friends......