And… you’re out

I hear a commercial on the car radio now that always makes me laugh. It starts with, “Men are you thinking about the health of your prostate right now”? Then it goes on to selling some herbal remedial for better care.

Well no actually I wasn’t thinking of that about as much as you are right now.

I’ll go further and bet it has never crossed your minds what a whack to the head can do to a life either? I certainly never did when it came to myself.

On July 9th, 2006 I slipped in my own kitchen, fell backwards, and the back of my head smacked the tile floor. Yes I was knocked out; no I do not know how long. I do know exactly at what time though, 2:14 am as that was the time on the microwave to my left. My ex-wife woke me up sleeping on the couch (not the floor) and told me to rest in bed. Then at 10am I was awaken again because I was now bleeding on the pillows.

Now awake, I was in a complete altered state of consciousness. Yes, I knew I was hurt, but only assumed a concussion as I had accompanying vomiting and headaches. At this point I self-diagnosed based upon previous knowledge and coaches training for injuries. So I stayed in bed the rest of the day thinking the emergency room would be over doing it and tried to rest.

The day was spent fighting off massive headaches, vomiting, and (still) being stubborn about the need for a trip to the ER. I had decided to wait until Monday morning and if the situation was the same, I would call my doctor.

Okay, so I called my doctor. Upon arrival at the ER I was taken immediately and sent in for a CAT scan. Lying on the bed in the ER I heard the attending physician say, “Find out who the Neurosurgeon is on call, we have a brain bleed”. Dr. Smith (That is really his name) informed my ex-wife and me that my situation was “serious” and I was being admitted. My IV lines were disconnected as they were providing me fluids for having continuously vomited; now however, extra fluids were dangerous.

After being wheeled into the room which I would be staying in, I realized at that time, not much made sense. Matter of fact nothing made sense. I was weak and complied with everything (like a child) I was being told. Then I was asked a bunch of questions, here comes the good part (meeting the Neurosurgeon) and then came the happy juice!

Please take note here – you do NOT have to have a bleeding brain to have damage!!!

More to follow Mr. Q