Concussion: An unstable mind
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head. It can affect how the brain works for a while. A concussion can lead to a bad headache, changes in alertness, or loss of consciousness. A concussion can result from a fall, sports activities, or car accidents. A big movement of the brain (called jarring) in any direction can cause a person to lose alertness (become unconscious). How long the person stays unconscious may be a sign of the severity of the concussion. Concussions do not always result in loss of consciousness. Most people who have a concussion never pass out. But they may describe seeing all white, black, or stars. A person can also have a concussion and not realize it.
It all started on May 11, 2011, when we were visiting family in New York. We were on our way to my husbands’ brother’s house in Manhattan to pick him and his wife up to visit my mother in law. My mother in law resided in the Bronx. When my family and I reached our destination to brother in law Jimmy house, my family and I realized that all of us would not fit into one vehicle, therefore we took his as well. I rode in one car with Jimmy’s wife Liz as well as my son Patrick while the others took the van. I don’t remember much of the accident; however, I do remember driving towards grandma’s nursing home when we reached a stoplight. After a short wait at the red light, it was our turn to go. As we crossed the intersection, a black SUV collided with the side of our small car. The next thing I remember, I was home in New Mexico. I sought help from my primary doctor in which she diagnosed me with a severe concussion and severe whiplash. The doctor explained that I would suffer many side effects that still affect me today.
The way my concussion has affected me in my everyday life has been very hard. There are times that I am confused about what I am doing at any giving moment. For instance, trying to remember what needs to get done on a daily basis. I am very vague about my accident; I do not remember the accident at all. I experienced loss of consciousness, Memory loss (amnesia) of events before the injury and right after. While I was in the emergency room I puked 3 times. I don’t recall the hospital at all. While I try to remember what happened, I kind of feel like I have "lost time".
While I am trying to