299557
of course they are ideas...I had chemo in 2007, sometimes you can get something call chemobrain...(you get more forgetful) so I use that excuse all the time...So you see any thing that happen can be turn into something fun!!!! just enjoy been alive!!!
60484wow this is an old post! I have not gone back to this group & I don't see me going back in the very near future either! But I do believe I will be as close to 100% as I want to be & when I have my moments I push through them as best as I can. I am a pretty positive person things get to me like everyone but I shrug them off & try to move forward. I will never forget how I felt in the OR when they said it would be 10-12 hrs the sudden fear & panic rising in my throat, just for a nano second & I thought of all of my family & THE CUTIES PRAYING FOR ME & THE PEACE I FELT IN THAT MOMENT IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET! I will always be thankful for this site!
by anangel
06 Jul 2012
Remember the saying, "You've come a long way, Baby!" I BELIEVE YOU HAVE!! Percentages are just that, percentages, and none of us are 100% all the time! I have admired, and still do, your perseverance through a devastating illness! Keep the positive attitude!!
Hugs,
Angel
299557Yes, they could have said, sorry you will get progresively worse,and many people have to here this.
SO you are alive . That is one good thing
You can still sew , That is 100 good things ,
so think on, look at the PLUS, not the negative .
and live each day like it is your last .
We do . after my husbands scare...
Hope this will give you Positive feelings .Like I know you already have ... Bless you .. think strong. Keep your positive out look... We are allways there for you...Hugs Pam.
30988My husband does some of that forgetting what he was going to say too.
You may also see some increased functioning in other areas. His short term memory is worse now but his long term memory is a lot sharper. He is mentioning things to me he has never mentioned in all our 46 years of marriage. Names from elementary school, their parents given names and where they lived so long ago. It is amazing how much better the long term memory is than before.
I agree with your dh. If the group has had a negative effect (it appears to me that it has from your posts) you might not should go back. You need positive reinforcement now.
My husband learns a lot more now that he can remember by reading, like the newspaper than he can remember what he hears on the TV news.
I would like to see your doctor refer you to a neuropsychologist for rehabilitation. That way you will get tested first to specifically identify what you need to work on. You can't fix it if you don't know exactly where deficits are. Sometimes the deficits aren't what you think they are. My husband seemed not to be able to hear as well as before the injury. After testing it turned out to be that the nerves carrying sound to his brain were not processing at the same speed from each ear anymore. The sound gets to his brain but it was taking about 3 seconds longer for him to process the sounds than before. By the time he said 'What did you say?' and I started to repeat he would then know what I said before repeating it. I have had to learn to give a little extra time for him to know what I say.
These are just some examples of what can go wrong after a trauma like you have suffered. I really would like for you to get tested and a rehabilitation program set up for you to do at home.
You might also look at some of the brain exercises recommended to prevent and delay development of Alzheimers. A simple thing to do would be to begin using your non-dominant hand to perform some tasks. Computer games like FreeCell and Spider Solitaire are good too. They force your brain to think and plan ahead too. You may find that some days the games will be easier and some days they will seem harder. That's all part of the development process.
You seem to already be doing quite a lot to exercise your brain. Machine embroidery isn't the simplest thing to accomplish. You are posting jokes and asking questions of the group. The fact that you are embroidering and doing all that to me means you can do a lot more.
Please check on getting referred for testing. The doctors told me the first months are the best window of opportunity for improvement. You don't need to waste any time.
Marcelle
6340After my brain surgery I got letters to invite me to join support groups but I never did. Didn't want to drive the long distance as I think reading and answering questions here on the Cute site has helped me a lot and the ones that don't improve and get better are the ones that don't try and just sit and think of all the negative things in there life. You won't get better (with any illness) if you don't TRY. I live each day as it comes and do the very best I can. Juanita
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
My dh says I shouldn't have gone there, he says they filled me with negativity & dispair. I was doing pretty good without them & doesn't want me to go back again!
by wp1012
29 Feb 2012
I never joined a support group either. I did not think a lot of people have brain surgery? I am the omly one that I knew of. Power to the brain and sucess in embroidery.Hugs to all.
26316I would say Don't dwell on the negative. Think of all the positive things going on in your life. You have many talents and gifts and you also have a loving family .Don't keep looking back only forward from now on. If you ever need that extra hug just come to Cute and we are all more than willing to give you the biggest hug ever. Take care and keep smiling
Bev
67271I think you are rockin it! You are rockin it! You are using all you senses and you are creating! I can't think of anything more therapeutic than that! Live Laugh Download Stitch!
173580Try doing crossword puzzles and Soduko in the morning paper, even if you have to use a dictionary to look up some of the words, it is surprising how much you find you know...keep feeding your brain something new every day...you have done so well Loralye - keep up that positive outlook...hugs x0x0x0x Glenda
27071do what you love to do and like very much
try to take the day how it go
i do the same and thats fine for me
i try to do what i love and special what i can
hugs Sonja
by juanitadenney
29 Feb 2012
This is also my point of view. Live each day as it comes and do what you love doing. Juanita
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
that's all we can do, isn't it! I mean all anyone can do! Plus appreciate what you can do! Thanks my friend Sonja Hugs Loralye
30638There is alot to be thankful for. I enjoy your in puts on cuties and we all need you. Your family also needs you.Most of all the Lord Jesus loves YOU.
HE will give you want you want, just ask. Then you will receive, Blessings Hugs
1649You have done wonderful! Any accomplishment is that much closer to being your 100% (don't we all have different levels of 100%?). When I ended up in the hospital years ago and was diagnosed with MS, I struggled for a long time getting back to what I considered normal (less than 100%). The worst thing anyone could say to me about trying something a little difficult or new was "oh, you probably won't be able to do it as you have MS". Well, I dug in my heels and figured that I have to try for myself as I'm the only one who can do it for me!
You're doing great and take it one day at a time and make sure you do as much to exercise your brain.
You go girl!
38558thank you all sew very much you have RENEWED MY SPIRIT! I will not think about the negative things that they said It is time to move forward & to focus on the things that I can do & before I know it I will remember things more & more! Hugs & ************* to all of you!Loralye
299557Maybe I'm lazy today ... didn't read all your answers from the cuties,
-- but wanted to say that after breast cancer and treatment, the after effects of treatment - now dealing with lymphedema I will never be 100% again. I will never be "normal" again (whatever that means) but I will have a "new normal" Besides, doctors don't know what God can do.
God bless you and give you peace.
MJDG
by mjdg
29 Feb 2012
I don't know your history...I'm supposing you've had breast cancer, too?
God be with you -- I'm so sorry -- will pray for you.
MJDG
7672See, way down in yourself you knew to bring this to the attention of the "CUTIES". Look at all the wonderful inspiration.These answers are true for all of us. Wonderful that you came here for guidance. Sharon
5189Here's something that I've learned: You will never be 100% the same after ANYTHING--good or bad. Every experience changes you a little. So not being 100% isn't a bad thing--it is adjusting to your "new normal". And that's ok. Maybe you have limitations. But you also have possibilities. The brain is a wondrous, plastic thing that molds and changes and renews. Hang in there. Who you are today isn't who you were yesterday, and it won't be who you are tomorrow.
11860Well what a support and inspiration from all the cuties. I will give my pennies worth too and tell you that hubby had Polio when he was 18. Was in an iron lung and his parents told he had 3 days to live. He lived and was in the iron lung for one whole year. than he had to learn to breath again, what he did and was than told he would never walk again.
He is stubborn and yes you guessed he learned to walk again and showed all what a positive mind can do. He has had many different health problems and I thought he would not see our sons grow up, but now end of the year our grandson is getting married and he is still here whilst many of his old friends are dead and gone. So here is the lesson in positive thinking and what it can achieve. Good luck-keep improving. Hugs edith
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
I have goosebumps, thank you sew much for sharing such a inspirational story Edith! Hugs Loralye
57801I second what our embroidery family said. We love you and wish you everything of the best and our prayers will pull you though. Be positive and know that you have so many family members that keep you in their thoughts that you will definitely get better. Remember Rome was NOT built in a day, give yourself time. Hugs
21222My prayers are with you. I do understand very well. I had a TBI 10 years ago. And had brain surgery 3 years ago for a brain tumor. I take every day as it comes. I will never be 100%. But I embroider, learning to sew a quilt. I do mazes and solitare. And my husband in the evenings we talk. We will discuss things that happened when we first started dating. We talk about the places we had seen. I forgot alot. And this is one of the exercises for my brain. I try hard everday. And it the middle of sentances I will forget what I was saying. But I get up in the mornings and make it the best day of my life. Stay postive and enjoy life. Keep your mind busy on things you enjoy. I wish you the best in your recovery. We are here for you. Hugs Peggy
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
wow that is exactly what I do I mean forget the words in the middle of a sentence. My dh is good he sees me struggle for a word a he fills it in for me sew that most people don't catch it! Well if there is a bright side He definately pays more attention to me when I speak LOL
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
to me when I speak .LOL, Also sewmom mentioned brain exercises sew I am checking into that too! It's all in the little things I guess!
by wp1012
29 Feb 2012
I also have my family quiz me. About everyday things. Other things might be what happened when I was a little girl, phone conversations ect...Many subjects. The Neuro Surgeon said this is good for the brain. The brain is in sections. Try to do many things. I am a multi tasker. Which this helps. Oh! another thing that happened to me was before I has the brain tumor found. I lost the hearing on the left side. I am deaf now. Did that happen to you too? Where do you live? In the USA?
3294I thank you for your posts.
They are encouragement for me. They make me more positive and thankful for what I am, what I can do,and what I could do.
Keep up your good work.
Hugs From Bev
7875You will keep getting better if you keep working on it. Marcelle has given some good ideas.
19430When I think how far you have come, I just think you are a marvel. You ARE positive and your daily questions have been an inspiration to us all. Obviously anything to do with the brain is going to take time - don't rush things and just take it easy. Hugs Sarah.
253107Dear Loraley,
You are doing great. Anytime you go through surgery, or even any lengthy ailment, your body takes a beating, and it takes awhile to recover.
I'm not sure how therapy can help, but you have our support 24/7. Think positive. Nobody remembers everything, and if you forgot it, you wouldn't miss it anyway. Keep positive, stay active, and consult your friend here at CUTIES. We love you. You are a great Gal.
Hugs and blessings,
Rachel
5290Your brain has suffered something similar to a traumatic brain injury. There are many things you can do (particularly in the early months) to help your brain better recover what it can. My husband suffered a TBI in 1996 and I have been through all that. The first months after are critical to exercise the brain. That is the best window of opportunity for it to improve.
If your doctor did not provide you with the list of activities that promote brain function that shows the area it focuses on, ask for the list. Even things like cross-word puzzles, maze puzzles, etc. help. Some board games also help develop certain areas of the brain in it's recovery. You just need the list.
The list I used was provided by a neuralpsychologist at Spain Rehabilitation Hospital. If you can find a nearby rehab center that treats brain and spinal cord injured people they will have a tremendous amount of information you can get. Or contact a neuralpsychologist in your area for information.
You can download the TBI Survival Guide book at:
http://www.tbiguide.com/
If you search Google on 'traumatic brain injury' or 'brain surgery' you will find a wealth of information.
You can certainly get a lot better if you do the right things to exercise your brain and help it make some new connections.
My husband lost his ability to smell (among many other things) and it took 3 years for it to come back. He still has some aphasia problems but it has gotten better with time.
Be patient and work at it. It WILL get better.
Marcelle
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
thanks for the information I will definately look into it! I wonder why I wasn't told any of this?
by blueeyedblonde
29 Feb 2012
Must have known you had cuties to help you as they are full of all kinds of information - not just embroidery!
by marcellelewis
29 Feb 2012
I wish I knew where my old list was because I would just send you a copy. Just now I don't know. It really does work. Marcelle
6340100% i don't think i know anyone thats 100% do you???hugs
360437You're helping us all understand others struggles! We don't use all our brain cells...so you will just retrain some that are being lazy to do what the others used to do! Positive? I think all the posts on here are about as positive as you can get: you have support from folks around the world, you are still alive & learning more every day, you've proven you're not a quitter, and I am sure the day will come when YOU can give encouragement to someone that will feel just like you did as you tell them how far you've come! Hugs!
35675Well Loralye....you will always have 100% from your Cute friends.
Hugs Pam.
.
30988Here are some sites for brain exercises to get you started. There are plenty out there on the internet. Keep up the good work and don't ever give up. When you feel low come here and get some love!
462610That is a good thing to know - I have been trying to get Rick to understand that he just will not.
by pldc
29 Feb 2012
It was a REAL SHOCK to be told that,sew choose your words carefully! I am not giving in either, no matter what I will be the best I CAN!
211078Well, you could ask yourself........
Were you ever 100% to start with????
LOL!!!! :-)))) hugs n love, Meganne
122864Dear Loralye, I agree with what everyone else has said. You make of life what you will, you are a unique individual and whether you are 100% or not, it doesn't matter. You are amazing in what you have achieved so far and life is full of ups and downs, so embrace it all and go for it! I love your daily questions too. I do crosswords everyday, I'm learning a new language and gosh you know, YOU can do anything you put your mind to. Love Chris
234254I swear ladies I don't know what I would do without all of your encouraging words, This isn't the sort of thing I want to share with my family @ home & my dh is working, it would upset my kids. I am sew glad that I can come here for this! you have no ideaa what a gift this is !
299557Loralye, this is something you will learn to live with. Remember I mentioned my DH had brain surgery shortly after we were married? Well dang, he's never been 100% and I love him just as much if not more and we've been married almost 27 years. Look at what all you've been able to do since the surgery. All your quilts, embroidery and other crafts. None of us are perfect sweetie. I think you are doing great.Stay positive, focus on what you can do and not on what you can not. Hugs..Carol
by pldc
28 Feb 2012
Carol you are absolutely right! thanks This is just what "I" ordered! I have done alot better than they thought I could in the first place, I think their negativity just brought me down! This is who I was NOT who I AM!
12165None of the rest of us has 100% of our brains anyway. We are ALL just trying to get along as best we can, and you can too----
by joann13100
28 Feb 2012
And you know what--the brain is an amazing organ. You can re-train it, and pretty much get back what you lost if you try hard enough. The brain has work-arounds for all sorts of problems and damages.
6574Look at this way, you will remember the important things and can forget the unimportant and unpleasnt things from your past. Do lots of brain exercise type activities. Puzzles, crossword, word find, digitizing, embrodiering etc. Basically anything that makes you think will imporve your brainpower and is considered a brain exercise. And always have faith in yourself. We are all pulling for you to come through. Oh and KEEP asking your question of the day, I love the questions you ask AND the answers you get. You may just prove them wrong! :D
Hugs and *'s for you!!
Diane
by pldc
28 Feb 2012
from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU DIANE! Hugs Loralye, if I could hug you I would!
22354At one point my mother was clinical dead and after she was released to come home the frustrations she had with remembering simple things was so aggravating for her. I started putting Post-It-Notes on everything (plants, cupboards, drinking glasses, TV channels, etc) and she did slowly get back to a more normal and was a whiz at crossword puzzles. You will keep improving as long as you learn something new each day.
89895Dear Loralye.......reading these comments here reminds me of why I come here for support.....these ladies are awesome and there isn't a thing I can add except to let you know I care as well...I love the "embrace your new normal" that should be my mantra!! Hugs.....Vicki
by pldc
28 Feb 2012
thanks for all your support I really needed this perpesctive from you all! it has made me stop crying & take a deep breath & remember tomorrow is a better day & I can do what ever I set my mind too (no pun intended well......maybe)
by lilylady
28 Feb 2012
that was a good saying "embrace your new normal", I feel that even refers to me"
261161Maybe you can be the first to prove the therapists wrong!
8228please don't be discouraged, you seem to have it together on this site. I feel everyday that I am losing some of my mind, but sooner or later it comes around. Take care
41781There is always something to be thankful for. Remember that and things will get better for you. If they didn't give you any brain exercises, make some up yourself. Puzzles are good. If you digitize, do more or if you want to learn something that you've never done, now is the time to try it. As long as your using your brain, you'll improve.
Have to tell you a little story, my balance is not so good, so everyday I've been standing on just one leg, for a minute or two at a time. when I first started this, I had to catch myself on something so I wouldn't fall. now I can do it will moving my leg that is in the air. I know you think this is easy, but believe me it wasn't.
Sew everyday, do something with your brain that you've always wanted to do. You can do it and you'll get better than 100%.
by pldc
28 Feb 2012
thank you sew much! I haven't got my balence back yet either sew this is something that I will try too!
16706Depends on what you mean by better? Life changing events hardly ever make us worse,rather, they help us grow as people and usually make us more appreciative of others and life,generally.Recent research at John Hopkins shows that a positive attitude can make a considerable difference in a person's recovery....
by pldc
28 Feb 2012
I believe this too! thanks sew very much for all of the encouraging words I feel MUCH BETTER AFTER READING ALL OF THE SUPPORTING WORDS HERE!
18403I like what undergroundsue said no one is perfect. Like sewmom said, you can do alot for yourself. I will have to say you are perfect to me. Big hugs. DeVon
72397Take this from somebody very close to a brain injury patient. You can talk, type, think! Consider yourself lucky! Do your brain exercises and don't give up. (You have exercises right?) You can probably recover a lot more than they say you can. Embrace your new normal.
by sewmom
28 Feb 2012
I should say embrace your new normal in a couple if years after you recover more. It takes time.
by sewmom
28 Feb 2012
You need to check with your doctor or do some Googling. Keep you mind active. Typing is good. Poker online, it helps with math and memorization! Your support group may have some suggestions. You will notice improvement after time. Your brain can make new pathways for information.
by sewmom
28 Feb 2012
I'm sure embroidery is good too because it makes you think out problems, math, order of things to do.
462610I do not know the circumstances to your brain issue..But can tell you that you just have to be thankful you are here to complain about it...I had a severe head injury,then I was diagnosed with MS.And survived an accident with a semi truck hitting me..lol so at this point I thank the lord everyday that I can be here to complain about it..Life is what you make it..Think happy thoughts and you will be happy! it can go the other way too..positive! positive!!! all I can say , I'll shut up now :)
4105Don't worry about it, none of us are 100% or perfect. Some of these so called support groups are not so supportive, they tear you down. Just be the best you can be thats all anyone can expect and I would say that your best is pretty good.:)
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