Wow! I apologize for the unintentional break in entries. Between figuring out my car situation in order to get to all of my doctor appointments, actually going to my appointments, helping my family with the kiddos, preparing to move to Dayton and attending my program's orientation, I've been a little more than swamped.
The good news is that the last doctor appointment I had my symptoms were down to single digits! Finally!!! I was released to light bike riding to begin exercising again :) I'm super excited for this big step in the right direction!!! One minor problem is that I don't have access to a bike, haha but that's ok... if I could, I'd be able to.
Orientation with my class was really fun. Our cohort consists of 19 people and we all are getting along well. Everyone seems helpful and caring so we'll see how the year goes. After these few days I'm excited but I'm also nervous about my attention/concentration capabilities.
When things get tough and I start to doubt myself, inevitably I will at some point, I have to remember how important it is that I continue down this path. Not only does there have to be more awareness and education about concussions, but it is imperative there is more research and knowledge gained about the psychological effects and proper treatments for the patients suffering from the injury.
Knowing that I am not who I was before my initial injury, that I have suffered additional injuries after my initial concussion and each has had their own impact on my life and that I understand it is difficult to self-diagnose and communicate how it feels to have a concussion... it is time to refocus my goals outside of myself and on to the concussions community.
The more prevalent concussions become, the more need for support and proper treatments there is. There will be obstacles for me to overcome, there will be challenges that may seem even more difficult for me, but I can do this. There has to be a voice in the field of psychology for head trauma, identity loss and transitional support.
It's time to diagnose the patient and then focus on the patient and not the injury. One thing I have noticed in each experience I've had is the questions that doctors ask... each question is a symptom question or a question about my concussion. Medical doctors have their approach and now it's time psychologists intervene with theirs. So, today my question is "how are YOU feeling?"
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