A Place to Share

Last summer my wife Peggy went to see her doctor because of a nagging cough, and was diagnosed as having bronchitis. She was sent home with a bottle of pills. Three days later, on June 28, 1996, she was in a coma, a result of an anoxic brain injury caused by respiratory failure. The "bronchitis" with which the doctor had diagnosed her (without so much as a chest x-ray) was actually congestive heart failure. Her lungs were filled with fluid, she had literally drowned in her own fluid.

Peggy remained in a coma, on a ventilator, for three weeks. She eventually emerged, and began intensive rehabilitation. Through rehab, she has regained her speech and ability to perform basic tasks (i.e. feeding herself, etc.), although she is still unable to walk. Her progress has been impeded by severe intention myoclonus (involuntary twitching and jerking of the muscles whenever she tries to move), which has been partially controlled by drug therapy. She also suffers from depression which so far has not responded to any medication.

I have been Peggy's primary caregiver since she returned home in September, 1996. We currently have a medical malpractice lawsuit pending against the doctor who misdiagnosed her. Because of Peggy's depression, it is difficult for her to communicate with people she does not know, so she has no interest in participating in chat groups or email lists. I, on the other hand, have found a great deal of solace and comfort in meeting TBI survivors and caregivers over the internet, and will continue to do so. Thank you for welcoming me to your group.