It was five years ago today that I woke in a hospital bandaged, confused, with my life forever changed.
I’ve beaten the odds. There is a CDC publication showing statistics for typical outcomes after a moderate to severe TBI, and it lets me know that my situation could easily be much worse. This publication states that 50% of people with a TBI experience further decline in their daily lives or die within 5 years of the injury. It also says that among those still alive 5 years in, 57% are moderately or severely disabled, 55% have lost their employment, 33% rely on others for help with daily activities, 29% use illicit drugs or misuse alcohol, and 12% must live in a nursing home or other care facility.
I am so very blessed, and I’m so grateful for where I am in my life today. I’m not only still alive, I’ve improved so very much from where I was in the first year after my injury. I’ve come to peace with the fact that I’ll never again be who I once was—the way that my brain is healing is taking me in new directions; I am a very different person now. As I’ve posted previously, my wife sometimes calls me Rod 2.0. While I wish it wouldn’t have taken a severe TBI to help me find the person that I am now, Marcie and I are both very happy with who I’m coming to be.
Functional Medicine or Pure Luck?
I wonder this on occasion, and maybe the correct answer is a bit of both. I’ve incorporated several key principles of functional medicine into my daily life. My nutrition is tailored around foods and supplements that help with healing and improve brain function. I meditate daily, practice mindfulness, and incorporate sleep hygiene practices into my life, every day. I lead an active lifestyle; I exercise and go for long walks. Sometimes I go for a demanding power-walk through the neighborhood, sometimes it’s a leisurely stroll in nature, but I’m trying to walk daily. I’ve seen noticeable results with diffusing certain essential oils, and by following a lifestyle tailored to increase BDNF production. I try to remember to use the 5-4-3-2-1 method as often as possible when I want to ensure a memory stays with me and doesn’t just fade away.
I pay close attention to what I’m feeling, and I’ve developed an approach of not just powering through but responding to my needs appropriately. When I’ve overtaxed myself and need a short break in a quiet space, I take one. I keep noise filtering earplugs on my keychain, so they’re with me at all times – when I’m in a chaotic space, I use them proactively rather than waiting until I’m awash with stress and anxiety.
But still, the question sometimes sits in the back of my mind… is my level of healing attributable to what I’m doing, or am I just one of the very lucky ones? I can tell you this, my daily practices are scientifically proven to promote healing in my brain and body. I always prefer to put my stock in following a best practices approach, and functional medicine is certainly a best practice for recovery from a brain injury. Either way, I am filled with strong ammunition for my gratitude practice each and every day.
The Road from Here
So, I’m five years in. I’ve beaten the odds. I’m still seeing improvements.
What does this mean to me? It means that I’m doing the right things to enable my healing process, and that I am actually healing a little more each day. It means that my journey has only just started, and that I have much healing left to do – and that it’s all within reach. I’ll never be who I once was, but I can certainly work to be the very best version of myself now. I’ll continue to follow key practices of functional medicine, I’ll keep learning and looking for new ways to help both myself and others who are on this journey. I’ll continue to do my research and my writing, learning everything that I can about this condition and how to achieve the very best recovery possible. I’ll also keep my eye on the path ahead, studying the long-term risks and how to avoid negative outcomes such as early onset dementia.
In Closing
If your injury occurred more than five years ago and you’re reading this, you’ve beaten the odds. If you’re employable, not abusing drugs or alcohol, if you’re able to perform activities of daily life without assistance, you’ve beaten the odds. Keep looking to the ways that you can continue to improve using functional medicine, nutrition, meditation, or whatever you find makes a positive difference in your life. Don’t forget to look ahead, as all brain injury survivors have greater risks as we age. Follow the practices that can help prevent negative outcomes. And if you’re able, spread your knowledge of what helps us heal to others who are traveling this path.
I am so very grateful for where I find myself upon reaching my five-year mark.
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