What has changed through this?
I was asked recently what have i learned or rather how have i change? How has my thoughts changed?
At the time i could not give a strong answer. I have pondered this question. I have asked God what is it i am to learn through this. How am i suppose to grow through this?
I think I see life a little different now. I am amazed at how fast life can change. I have told my sweet friend so many times this year - This year is the year of learning to be flexible. Not to get upset when plans change. when things change. Well, isn't this a true sense of the word of flexible. This was not my plan 3 weeks ago- we were suppose to be decorating for Christmas, taking Christmas card pictures. Getting ready for the holidays!!!!
So how has this changed me to this point? I realize more than ever that life can take a right hand or left hand turn in the blink of an eye. I realize more than ever life is precious. I realize how amazing and complex the human brain is. I realize working here is not something I think I could do. I would love to talk someone through this difficulty but doing this job day in and day out for years. Not sure I could!!! I realize that doctors are human and I have heard too many times to count "you see one brain injury and you have seen one brain injury." Each person is so different and how they respond is crazy different. I realize how complex of a creation God has made in the human body. I don't know how you can look at the complexity of the human body and not believe in God.
Sitting in the secured unit where Tyler is most if not all the people back there have brain injuries. Each one is completely different. Not any 2 are the same. The way Tyler's body is dealing with this injury is completely different from another brain injury. Many different ways the brain gets injured. A couple we know - stroke, motorcycle accident, kidney stones which causes a heart attack which caused to Blue line 3 times not allowing oxygen to the brain for 45 mins. The stories and scenarios go on and on.
If you you tube stories of Tyler's injuries you can watch for hours and see recovery. These are really inspiring, yet I have to say the couple I watched only shows the physical side of rehab. The brain processing. They show nothing of what they call "sun downing" or the over stimulation side of things. They also do not show the change in personality. The way a person can go from one extreme to another, the way you have to read little clues to know when over stimulation is happening. Every case is so different and it is so hard to even explain in a way that people understand what this healing process looks like. Healing is small steps along the way. We rejoice in them all.
So where is Tyler now? We are working and yet many times I feel totally helpless on how to help or what to do. Tyler is showing signs of progress which is great. The hard part is, the best time for others to see him is during times that visitors are not allowed. then when visitors are allowed he is over stimulated and needs quiet time. For Tyler's healing process we have said no visitors and really appreciate how those who love him have respected this. It's so hard on us to tell people who blow up our phone that we are sorry no visitors. It is for the best for Tyler and his healing. He needs rest most of all. He needs lights off, quiet afternoons so he can relax and sleep through the night.
Tyler is making process and when he is ready we will allow visitors to come sit with him and enjoy time with him. Please know he is still really confused and does not know weather you are he or not. He won't for a moment think he has been here for 3 weeks and no one has seen him. He does not remember if we are here most moments. Brain injuries are some of the craziest injuries - there is no way for us to medically see where he is in the healing process. We can only judge by his mental state. We have been told most people do not know where they are or why they are here until almost all the way through rehab. Imagine what that will be like - to be told the last 4 weeks you have been here living life and don't even know it or remember it??
If you should watch some of the you tube videos please know this may give you a glimpse into his recovery but it is just a glimpse. Also, should you watch them rejoice with me that Tyler's body is not broken. He is only working on healing the brain not his whole body!
Please pray for Tyler - for his sleep (the more the better) at night, his brain to heal (all the rips for the connections to be made around the tares), for his over stimulation to get better (handle more), his attention span to continue to grow. For Ashley, Chris and I to keep rejoicing in the little steps and not get discouraged in the hard times. For us to know when to step out and give Tyler space. Also pray he will meet his goals to be released on December 29th.
At the time i could not give a strong answer. I have pondered this question. I have asked God what is it i am to learn through this. How am i suppose to grow through this?
I think I see life a little different now. I am amazed at how fast life can change. I have told my sweet friend so many times this year - This year is the year of learning to be flexible. Not to get upset when plans change. when things change. Well, isn't this a true sense of the word of flexible. This was not my plan 3 weeks ago- we were suppose to be decorating for Christmas, taking Christmas card pictures. Getting ready for the holidays!!!!
So how has this changed me to this point? I realize more than ever that life can take a right hand or left hand turn in the blink of an eye. I realize more than ever life is precious. I realize how amazing and complex the human brain is. I realize working here is not something I think I could do. I would love to talk someone through this difficulty but doing this job day in and day out for years. Not sure I could!!! I realize that doctors are human and I have heard too many times to count "you see one brain injury and you have seen one brain injury." Each person is so different and how they respond is crazy different. I realize how complex of a creation God has made in the human body. I don't know how you can look at the complexity of the human body and not believe in God.
Sitting in the secured unit where Tyler is most if not all the people back there have brain injuries. Each one is completely different. Not any 2 are the same. The way Tyler's body is dealing with this injury is completely different from another brain injury. Many different ways the brain gets injured. A couple we know - stroke, motorcycle accident, kidney stones which causes a heart attack which caused to Blue line 3 times not allowing oxygen to the brain for 45 mins. The stories and scenarios go on and on.
If you you tube stories of Tyler's injuries you can watch for hours and see recovery. These are really inspiring, yet I have to say the couple I watched only shows the physical side of rehab. The brain processing. They show nothing of what they call "sun downing" or the over stimulation side of things. They also do not show the change in personality. The way a person can go from one extreme to another, the way you have to read little clues to know when over stimulation is happening. Every case is so different and it is so hard to even explain in a way that people understand what this healing process looks like. Healing is small steps along the way. We rejoice in them all.
So where is Tyler now? We are working and yet many times I feel totally helpless on how to help or what to do. Tyler is showing signs of progress which is great. The hard part is, the best time for others to see him is during times that visitors are not allowed. then when visitors are allowed he is over stimulated and needs quiet time. For Tyler's healing process we have said no visitors and really appreciate how those who love him have respected this. It's so hard on us to tell people who blow up our phone that we are sorry no visitors. It is for the best for Tyler and his healing. He needs rest most of all. He needs lights off, quiet afternoons so he can relax and sleep through the night.
Tyler is making process and when he is ready we will allow visitors to come sit with him and enjoy time with him. Please know he is still really confused and does not know weather you are he or not. He won't for a moment think he has been here for 3 weeks and no one has seen him. He does not remember if we are here most moments. Brain injuries are some of the craziest injuries - there is no way for us to medically see where he is in the healing process. We can only judge by his mental state. We have been told most people do not know where they are or why they are here until almost all the way through rehab. Imagine what that will be like - to be told the last 4 weeks you have been here living life and don't even know it or remember it??
If you should watch some of the you tube videos please know this may give you a glimpse into his recovery but it is just a glimpse. Also, should you watch them rejoice with me that Tyler's body is not broken. He is only working on healing the brain not his whole body!
Please pray for Tyler - for his sleep (the more the better) at night, his brain to heal (all the rips for the connections to be made around the tares), for his over stimulation to get better (handle more), his attention span to continue to grow. For Ashley, Chris and I to keep rejoicing in the little steps and not get discouraged in the hard times. For us to know when to step out and give Tyler space. Also pray he will meet his goals to be released on December 29th.
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