Bridget’s Story (Brain Injury, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease)

In January 2012, I blacked out and went face first down a complete flight of stairs.  Then with my weight propelling me forward I thump, thump, thumped my way down the rest of the stairs and slid into the bottom of the fridge. Needless to say I was unconscious the whole time, I don’t remember anything about that day or that night. I almost broke my left eye socket and forehead, I almost broke my neck and thoracic section of my back. I was bruised to the bone in places.

Worse thing was, my children (9 and 4 then) had to witness me get strapped to a stretcher with a c-collar on, and taken off to the hospital. When they did the CT scan of my head and neck they found the landing caused a bleed on my brain, and that I have moderate to severe arthritis along with degenerative disc disease in my neck and down through my back.

Well, all that would explain the chronic pain for the last 10 years, lol. Well, due also to the severe concussion from the whack on the head, I couldn’t lay flat or sleep lying down for 6 weeks. After my follow up, the bleeding had stopped and was reabsorbed in the brain tissue, my bruises were still very visible and very sore.

It has been 1.5 years since then, I have gained about 20 lbs due to lack of activity because everything hurts. I am left with mild brain damage, memory loss, short term memory loss and inability to commit simple things to memory, like doctor appointments and such.

Well, I have had enough with the pain and the way I live my life in fear. I am going to have the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy to rid myself of this 100 lb overage and thus take the weight off my neck and back. I am ready to change my life for the better… even if I am afraid to go down a flight of stairs. 🙂

Bridget
New York
Submitted 6-15-13

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.