Concussions and Lawn Chairs

I recently spent a ladies-only weekend away with my mom, my aunts and a few of my cousins (in-law).  My Mom has three sisters. Think of the women from the novel Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. They love wine, their families, shenanigans and each other.   I remember thinking to myself – while the sisters were giggling uncontrollably and reminiscing about that night 50+ years ago when my aunt fell off the bed after watching an episode of Bonanza – that: “wow. I’m sure lucky to have these ladies in my life.” Okay. I should probably clarify that it wasn’t so much the Bonanza story that made me feel so fortunate (to be honest, I didn’t really see what was so funny about the story —   maybe, you had to be there?) It actually wasn’t just one thing, but a series of small, individually insignificant, yet wonderful, moments that occurred during our weekend together. Don’t worry — I won’t go into detail as the Bonanza story was probably enough. There was just a lot ...

I thought  with June being Brain Injury Awareness Month (“BIAM”) that this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss an international movement called  Unmasking Brain Injury . Now before I get into the nitty gritty details on what Unmasking Brain Injury is all about, I need to share some  facts with you. (Yes, I NEED to! This is BIAM after all!)   Did you know? There are over 2 million Canadians with a brain injury (that’s 1 out of every 18 Canadians); Traumatic brain injuries (“TBIs”) are the leading killer and disabler of Canadians under the age of 40; and  Over 500,000 Canadians sustain a TBI each year; an annual incidence rate that is greater than that of Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer combined.* Conclusion: Brain injuries are bad. And they happen far too often.  It is pretty shocking isn’t it?  And yet, even with these troubling statistics, brain injury remains a silent epidemic. It “ continues to be misunde...

“Embrace life’s detours.”  Sacha, my yoga instructor, said at the end of this evening’s class.   “Sometimes things don’t always go as planned and that’s okay. There will be bumps in the road, but know that you are more than able and capable to get through these challenges.”  “Ugh. That’s just great,”  I thought.  “Here I am trying to enjoy my last savasana and be mindful, and all I can think about are my detours and embracing them. THANK-YOU Sacha!”  Okay. Okay. I wasn’t really that mad. How could I be? Sacha just gave me a great topic to write about:  Embrace. Life’s. Detours.  Repeat this phrase three times.  Write it down.  Remember it.  Make it your mantra.  I am confident that Janine Shepherd would give the same advice. When a car accident shattered her dreams of representing Australia in the 1988 Winter Olympics, Shepherd was devastated. Not only would she never be able to ski competitively again, ...

I know, I know I haven't written a blog in awhile.  My sincere apologies to my loyal readers (Mom & Dad - I love you!). Why have I been absent? The truth? To say it has been a tough couple of weeks would be a gross understatement.  My migraines have been disabling and the pain unbearable.  (My neurologist told me a fun fact today: the World Health Organization has stated that severe migraine attacks are as disabling as quadriplegia. I also learned today that neurologists do not have fun facts.)  I have been struggling emotionally. I know that it will take time to find the correct medication to treat my migraine disease and that I just need to be patient, but time is so precious. Who wants to spend their waking hours in bed?  I'm 32 and I’m not getting any younger (at least that's what my biological clock is telling me, which is particularly annoying as I'm not even sure that I want children.) I am in pain. I am tired. And I'm sad.  ...

Raise your hand if you have ever fallen into a rut? Felt stuck in the same dull routine? Been unhappy, uninterested and disappointed with your life?   Me, too. I've been there. We've all been there. I mean even " Alice had to fall down a deep hole before finding her wonderland." *  Last February, not only did I sustain a concussion when I fell, but I also landed in a rut the size of the Grand Canyon. When you consider the facts though, I can't say that I am all that surprised by this. Every brain injury is unique, so it is impossible to establish a timeline for recovery. This creates extreme uncertainty as it's difficult to set long term goals or plans. Add a dash of post concussion symptoms, chronic pain, medication and hundreds of specialist appointments, throw in cancelled plans and lost independence, mix in job and financial instability as a result of the injury, then let the mixture marinate over time; And bam! You have the perfect rut. (Don't ...

I spent Easter long weekend in New Orleans for a Bachelorette Party. Why would someone who suffers from chronic migraines, visual snow, and post concussion syndrome go to The Big Easy? Aside from a few valid reasons (that are too boring and predictable to share), my choice to go on the trip was largely fueled by my "fear of missing out" ("FOMO") (or as my future sister in law would say, the fear of missing stuff ("FOMS")). For as long as I can remember, I've dealt with FOMO in one form or another. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, FOMO  is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the " fear of not being included in something (such as an interesting or enjoyable activity) that others are experiencing ." During her Ted talk on the topic, Priya Parker, the Founder of Thrive Labs, defined FOMO as the " anxiety of opportunity cost. "  Through her research she found that " we live in fear to make sure that we’re try...

Brain Awareness Week (BAW), March 12 to the 17th, is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research.  In honour of BAW, I brainstormed (get it? BRAINstormed) a list of ten things you (YES! YOU!) can do to improve your brain health.  Wait? Am I qualified to give this kind of advice? Good question. Probably not. Yes, I’m like really really smart, but I do have a brain injury and am not a Doctor (so please do not take anything I say as a substitute for medical advice). So why should you even bother reading this? Another good question. The thing is I have learned more than I ever cared to know about brain health since my concussion in February of 2017.  I have seen over 20 different specialists/doctors and had over 160 appointments in the last 13 months (I'm compiling my medical bills for tax purposes, which is why I know these facts. Don't judge!). Plus, the following are things that I’m required to do daily...