ME and My Brain Injury

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone, I am Jacem, a 23 year old female nursing student. I will receive my bachelors in May 2010. I was recommended this website by another user, "End Game RN". She has been a nurse for about 30 years now, and I have the pleasure of knowing her personally. Actually I am very excited because tomorrow she will be taking me to her hospital unit, a level 1 trauma center. Coincidentally it is the same unit I was admitted to after a car accident almost 4 years ago, which resulted in a frontal lobe brain injury. End Game RN knew before my brain injury, and it is one of the reasons she asked me to share my story.

You see, I was on the way to my fiance's house, driving my small 2 door car, when a Hummer didn't yield the left, and hit my side. (Obviously not a fair fight):lol_hitti So I was air lifted to the best trauma center in the area. They removed a hematoma from my frontal lobe, and repaired my skull and eye socket. When I woke up I was a totally different person. My family and friends gave thanks that I was alive, yet feared they had lost the real me. About a month later I left the hospital, and about 2 months later I had regained my true personality, as well as my short and long term memory.

I really give thanks that I had the support of all my family and friends. I am so appreciative to the neurosurgeon, nurses, and therapists. The only thing that really didn't help was a Neuro-rehabilitation doctor that I had. I would leave her office crying every time. She would tell me that I would never have the brain capacity to go back to school , and to choose another dream.:madface: When I signed up for my first semester she told me I was making a mistake, and that when I failed it would be difficult to regain my self esteem (yeah the one she kept tearing apart) I kind of almost thank her for that because she really gave me the motivation to prove her wrong, which I did, because not only am I back in school, but I am doing even better than I was before. I have all my family and friends support in my choice to become a nurse. I am a very lucky girl.

Sorry for the lengthy introduction. I just want everyone to understand that every dream is possible. We can all defy the greatest odds. We can NEVER let anyone push us down, and tell us we cant do it AND if they do you have to prove them wrong! :nmbrn:

I wonder if anyone has had a similar situation, and could relate to me.... I would love to hear your story...

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Thank you for sharing!

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Thanks for sharing your story. Amazing!

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, Sub (stepdown), Hospice.

Amazing story....good luck you you!!!

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Specializes in None...YET!.

Hi! Your story was very inspirational! You are a testament that all things are possible, especially if you put GOD first!

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Thank you for sharing your amazing story! This is why I love head injury rehab. After you graduate and pass boards, send a copy of your diploma and license to your doubting neurorehab MD!

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Thank you for all your responses, i really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond. AND i think i will definitely send her a copy of my diploma. lol. Even THough i would love to see the look on her face.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, psych, rehab.

We admitted a middle aged man to our nsg home last yr after a MVA left him with a TBI. Nonresponsive, trach, peg tube, etc. Most doctors had given up on him. His attending, who had been his friend since college, clung to the shred of hope he felt. Patient's wife was a nsg instructor. She cried all the time. 3 months later, we discharged him home, trach out, peg out, talking and eating just fine, walking, taking care of himself, etc. Impulsive and not all his memory back, but just miraculous. It is possible. You did great. Thanks foro sharing. And do show your diploma to that neurosurgeon.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

that's just amazing. Truly God's work

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Specializes in Neuroscience ICU.

hey travel5o, you too have a great story! I have seen this many times and look forward to every success. By the way, the neuro-rehabilitation doctor referred to wasn't a neurosurgeon. Our guys are awesome!! and we have had some amazing results even after months and months of hospitalization.

This young lady I knew personally prior to this accident. It was very difficult to watch her family, her and my friends deal with this. I spoke with the family a great deal during this time. They are a very tight, supportive and loving group!

She came to my unit today, I was admitting a TBI post op craniotomy, she was wearing her scrubs and labcoat from her University. She had to go to her clinical later that day. She stayed with me while I admitted the patient and reviewed with her all of the things we need to do when admitting trauma patients. She was great!!! has wonderful insight and critical thinking as well as a wicked sense of humor which I witnessed while recoverying this patient. I know she will be an outstanding ICU RN one day...hopefully in our NSICU. I would like to precept/mentor her if she does come to us.

She met some of the staff who took care of her and no one could recognize this young lady. I introduced her to our neurosurgical PA who assisted the attending neurosurgeon and others in the OR, its the first time the two of them met after her successful recovery. He just kept staring at her and smiling. Uhh, they did actually talk to each other.

Her story is amazing and I hope she will write about it in greater detail.

JACEM 7 15 is an inspiration to me. I hope all of you out there can help her through this stage of her nursing education. This is why I referred her to allnurses.com.

Thanks everyone!!!

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Hey everyone. End Game RN spoke a little about my experience at the NSICU. It really was amazing! Going back to the unit and having the chance to meet all the nurses and doctors that took care of me was incredible. I've always known how fortunate I am for being alive and back to normal, but all the patients there and how everyone reacted when they saw me there really gave me a new insight on how blessed I am. At the same time, it shows the expertise of all the nurses and doctors in this unit and hospital. It would be my dream to work there one day, and to be trained my End Game RN, one of the most experienced nurses there.:nurse:

On the way out in the elevator, I saw a grieving family and all I could think about was my family. Because even I was going through the pain and recovery, I don't remember much of it, but my family had to be there and remember it ALL. If fact, I really think it was worse for them. My parents, 2 older brothers, and fiancé didn't leave my side, and I am always going to be grateful to them for that.

I really wish I knew more about the time I was in the hospital, because I really don't remember any of it. Other than my injuries, and change in personality, I can't elaborate further. I can share my experience after the fact.

I got home, 30 pounds lighter, and still a little irritable. I was able to spend the Christmas holidays at home with my family. That January, less than two months after getting out of the hospital, I enrolled part-time for the university, against the Neuro- rehabilitation doctor wishes. (I got 3 A's) I was still an outpatient going to the hospital for rehab, and by law unable to drive. I had to wait 6 months because of my risk for seizures. After the 6 months my parents got me the "safest car", VOLVO SUV! :yeah:

It wasn't all fun and games, because I then enrolled full time in chemistry and biology classes. That is when it became a challenge. The MDs doubts echoed through my head, but it just gave me more motivation. I got through that semester, and ever since them it's been a lot easier.

The only residual effects I think I have are some headaches, and a little bit of feistiness. Before people would tell me something I didn't like and I would just stay quiet. NOW I occasionally lose my inhibition and tell them what I really feel. (I don't think it's a bad thing) :pumpiron:

So now I've regained the 30 pounds, and I'm ready to graduate nursing school and care for patients just as I was cared for!

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thank you for sharing... this was really encouraging to me. my dad had a TBI 6 days ago and it has been a nonstop rollercoaster ride of emotions. it is so very hard and stressful, especially since all he has is me and my aunt. i feel like no one else really cares or understands and it is just really hard. i do have hope, though, that he will make a full recovery. he is in and out of consciousness a lot (lots of amnesia and gets very agitated when he is 'up'), but he does have these moments of clarity where he recognizes me and seems 'normal'... so i think that is a good sign.

anyway i was just needing to hear a good outcome so thank you.

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