Injured Brains Need Extra Rest

The world moves too fast sometimes, and that’s when we must pull back the reigns and rest. Sometimes the good and healthy things in life are hard to find time for. Many people have trouble finding balance in their lives. It is a juggling act for all of us. Fatigue is what gets in my way. When I am fatigued from my brain injury, my thoughts become scrambled, and I have a very hard time functioning.

1. Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported effects of a brain injury. Unlike ‘normal’ fatigue, which is time-limited and alleviated by rest, the intense feeling of fatigue after brain injury may be present most of the time and can have significant impact on quality of life. Source: Headway – The Brain Injury Association. Drained by fatigue? Try these 8 ways to cope after brain injury.
2.  It is reported that as many as 98% of people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury have some sort of fatigue. Many report that fatigue is their most challenging symptom after brain injury. Source: Brain Injury Association of America. Fatigue After Brain Injury.

I still suffer brain injury fatigue after 15 years post injury and I have been pushing my limits. Something must give. Right now, I am taking Veronica to a gym for training four mornings each week. I work out there three of those mornings. This is new for both of us. I have many things to do trying to take care of my family, run a household, like every other mother and wife. It’s what I love to do. Being married and having children is what I was put on this earth to do. It almost always brings me joy and fulfillment. But today I cry.

It seems we have so many appointments, whether online, on the telephone, or in person. Veronica sees a counselor. We both see a psychiatrist. I am forever struggling to keep our medications ordered and filled, and there are so many. I take 11 and ½ pills in the morning and 6 and ½ at night. And that’s just me. How can you get your pills filled on the same day, but they never run out at the same time? Does that happen to you? I am in charge of Veronica’s as well. I am not complaining. I am sharing with you that I feel overwhelmed lately. I am having trouble keeping up with everything and thinking about all I am responsible for, at the moment, feels like too much. And all I have added in is an hour of exercise 3 days/week. I am trying to eat differently, much healthier. It takes energy to plan it out. I repeat to myself frequently lately, “One day at a time. One day at a time.” I’m tired. Brain injuries are hard. You may not know this, but I need two entire days home during the week to rest my brain. The world doesn’t stop for you. I need to be very organized to get all I need to, done, and find time for rest. And it takes so much energy even to communicate many days. I can’t find my words. I must describe what I mean, like charades, for someone to understand what I am trying to say.

“It’s round. You eat it.”

“I don’t know.”

“You know, it goes in spaghetti sauce. It’s made of ground beef.”

My friend guessed. “It’s a meatball!”

“YES!”

Imagine doing that over and over during the day because you can’t find your words. I often can’t find my words. That is called aphasia. It is part of my brain injury.  It takes energy to think, energy to describe. I get tired. I am very fortunate my family is good at guessing, but the times they are unable to, I cannot communicate the way I would like. It is added energy I do not always have. I feel like I am depleted right now. Temporarily, I have a trainer, too, for a  ½ hour a week to show me exercises that will help me build muscle. I’m 54 you know, and the risk of osteoporosis is right around the corner. She has given me exercises to do. I was listening. I have short-term memory loss. She has written them down for me, but I need many more details. When I went back to the gym yesterday, the words looked like a foreign language. So many times, I feel defeat. Today is one of those days, which by the way, I appreciate you listening to my rant.

But I am not a quitter.

It is time to step back and evaluate my priorities and get those two full days to rest my brain.

Veronica says by taking care of myself I am taking care of my family. Little wise one. Here I am. I have had a good cry and a couple hours to step away and think. I am pretty good at resolutions. I have called the lady in charge of where I volunteer on Tuesdays to let her know it was just too much. I love her and all the people there, but my brain needs rest. I have changed some appointments around and have written in my calendar on every Tuesday and Thursday for the next few months, “NO APPOINTMENTS—STAY HOME!” I can be very functional, busy, and productive, but not every day. If I have been busy one day, I must rest the next. I talked to my husband about all of this. He says I push myself too hard. I am so grateful for the support of my family.

And on I can go about my life now. Thank you for reading til the end.

Have a beautiful, blessed day, everyone. With much gratefulness and peace in my heart again, I will too.

If you would like to know more about our lives traveled having brain injuries, Veronica’s is severe and mine is moderate, please read my book. It is very educational and will help you understand more easily why we are the way we are.

A Miracle a Day, One Day at a Time: Hope After Traumatic Brain Injury

If you go to the Book section on the menu, it will take you where you can order it on Amazon right now. If you do read my book, please leave an honest review when you finish.

Thank you. See you next Friday.