Friend Stories

Caregiver Story #7

Category: Caregivers of TBI Survivors Published on Sunday, 30 January 2011 01:52 Written by Caregiver

Summary - the cause - the injury - today's quality of life?

I have been taking care of my husband Joe for over 5yrs..he suffers from a mototrcycle accident.

Please share your experience at the time you became aware of the injury?

I was a basket case..some old lady took away..my life as I knew it with my husband..now I just hope I open my eyes to see the next day.

Tell about the experience immediately after the injury. Surgery? Coma?

Joe sustained 2 mini strokes as well as head truama..he had to have a psuedo anuerism coiled which took over 8 and half hrs..he was in a coma for over 2 wks..the drs. said the joe you knew ..would never be back..they were true to their word..

Tell us about the hospital stay after the survivor was no longer in a coma

Joe was transfered a rehab hospital for 6 wks ..from there 18 months of a nuero rehab nursing home..which was more like time stood still..every patient ws sedated with drugs to keep them quiet..I'd have none of that..i had to fight for six months to get Joe outta that hell hole..and swore he would never be in a place like that again.

Tell us about the time in rehabilitation?

There wasn't any to speak of..and what little theer was ..i had to push for..I was at the nursing home just about every day. I did Joe's laundry as well as all his linens ..shit hole of a nursing home and that was one of the "better" ones..if u can call this place better..I can't.

Tell us about coming home!

June 26 of this year Joe will be home 4 yrs..I had the house renovated to suit Joe's needs..we have pca's in place and Joe goes to a day center three days a wk.

"Please type some single words that describe how TBI has touched your life. For example: Frightened, confused, sad, etc. Enter as many or as few words as you like. Separate each word with a comma"

lonliness ..sadness comes with the turf..I wish I could have my best friend back I miss him.

Tell us about life today?

We have no life.."our" friends cut us loose..isolation

What do you want to tell others going through the same process? Treatments, understandings and actions that made a difference?

Do what is best for your loved one and yourself..dont believe everything you hear ..dig up as much info as you can for what you need for them.