A little snippet to share with you today.
Last Thursday, together with Jeannie, I returned to the hospital in Eugene, OR, that I was taken to on December 24th after my bike accident on the 22nd November; all of which has been shared with you good people.
Dr. Kokkino of the Oregon Neurosurgery department, he who undertook the operation to evacuate two sub-dural bleedings, wanted to check me out.
He pronounced me fit to return to normal life including bike riding. But when I queried that I was still feeling a little “second-hand” in the head from time to time Dr. K. said this:
Your brain took a major knock back in November.
It would be reasonable to assume that full healing will take at least three months and quite possibly as long as six months!
Of course, that was very comforting to hear but nonetheless very surprising. That’s what I wanted to share.
Yesterday morning, dear friend and neighbour Dordie came riding with me and we did the ‘Tunnel Loop’ circuit; about six miles.
It felt very good.
So from this:
to this (me on the bike when I first purchased it!):
Will close by saying again how amazed I was to hear that prediction from Dr. K. as to how long the brain takes to heal!
I’m sure many of you will be equally amazed!
Have a good weekend everyone!
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling “first hand,” but understandable, really. It wasn’t a small bump.
Yes, Dr. Kokkino’s explanation did make a lot of sense and reset my own expectations. You take it carefully down there, John! And have a good weekend!
So glad you are back in the saddle Paul❣️
Dearest Val, thank you very much!
Glad to know you are back biking, Paul. I actually did know that about head injuries, I’m an NP (retired). Also minor injuries take longer to heal as we age! Important not to fall. Have a wonderful weekend. 📚 Christine
Thanks Christine.
I bet many others do not understand that. Hopefully your response has opened a few eyes, and minds!
Pawsitive energy & strength to you.
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
Thank you. Sweet thoughts; as always from you!
Not surprising when you consider how intricate and amazing the brain is. Take good care, Paul.
Trying very hard to stick to caring for the old head! And, yes, what an amazing part of our body!
So good to hear, that you are back and able to ride your bike, Paul 🙂
6 months are not so much, I got to know, that I could expect up to 2 years, before I should be fit again. So take your 6 months and be happy to live.
And, Irene, I presume that was two years of brain healing in your case? (Don’t reply if you would prefer not to do so.)
The 2 years of healing was for both brain and body after the damages by coma for long time.
Ouch! Can’t imagine what you went through!
That is wonderful News Paul, so pleased all is well, and you are back to riding your bike again.. Enjoy my friend.. But take it steady. 🙂
Sue, I have every intention of taking it very steadily! One close call is enough! Thank you!
Good to hear it Paul
There is a book I read called “The Ghost in My Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get it Back
by Clark Elliott. I’ve had first hand experience with it when Bells Palsy damaged the nerves in my brain so severely that It’s taken almost 8 years to come back to some semblance of normal. It really is about building new neuropathways. It will take time to retrain the brain. And lots of rest. That’s the hardest part. It’s why I started studying the brain and how it heals.
Marlene, I read your response about twenty minutes ago and have just reread it out aloud to Jeannie. The reality is that it is impossible, truly impossible, to understand what you have suffered and been through.
Yet I recognize your advice for it is the same as given to me by Dr. Kokkino. Take it easy. Be patient with yourself. Build slowly. Listen to your brain. And more.
Dr. K. recommended this book: I Want to Thank My Brain for Remembering Me: A Memoir by Jimmy Breslin. I have it on order via our local bookstore, Oregon Books and Games, who gave me a better price than you know who! I look forward to reading it!
That sounds like another wonderful book, Paul. I started doing my own research when I realized none of the neurosurgeons I saw knew how to help or understood what had happened. Bells is supposed to be a mild thing you recover from quickly. They tested for stroke but found no evidence of it. Sometimes you have to trust your gut and lead yourself. Rest was vital in that process. I’m not very good at it. 😉
The one lesson I have learnt from this episode, rather too late in my life as it happens, is to be open to what our bodies tell us. Especially when one feels tired! Listen carefully!
Oh, yes! As a fellow cyclist, I know how gratifying it must have been to get out on that bike again! Nothing like it 😉
And not fall off it! 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
YaY!
Good to hear you’re on the mend 🙂
Thank you!