THE CRUCIAL PIECE

Once family members and friends became aware of the traumatic event that I had experienced, they started to reach out and check on me. Many wanted details of what happened and wanted to know what it felt like coming face to face with death.

One friend in particular, Kristin, had checked up on me more than others. Not that others didn’t care about me as much as she did but because she knew. She knew concussion. Not in the way I knew concussion at that point. Not in the way people who haven’t experienced concussions THINK they know concussions. At the time it didn’t make sense to me. In hindsight Kristin knew. She saw her younger sister Bo live with a concussion and post concussion syndrome for 5 years. Kristin knew. She knew the magnitude of concussion recovery. I didn’t. I didn’t realize the magnitude of the wave I started to ride. My initial thoughts were“It’s just a concussion. I’ll be sensitive to lights for a little and I’ll be fine.”

A few days after my accident in my journal I wrote:

“K thinks I have a concussion and wants me to connect with Bo. Maybe I will. Why though? What’s that going to do? I’ll be fine.”

I was agitated that my PCP had prescribed me brain rest. I was an athlete and a workaholic. Always on the go. At that time, I worked a full time job and in addition to that held down two part time jobs. I was an avid weightlifter and had competed in multiple powerlifting competitions. I was in the best shape of my life strength and conditioning wise and this doctor told me to rest. I did not want to sit still. This injury wasn’t going to slow me down (or so I thought). To be told not to do anything angered me. I was agitated that my ability to function at the gym was declining. I couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening. I wanted someone to tell me what to do (other than rest) so I could get better faster! I needed an action plan for recovery!

I texted Bo. This would turn out to be the most crucial piece in my recovery. If I hadn’t reached out to Bo it scares me to think where I would be at in my recovery. After chatting with her she was the one person who made sense of it all for me. What I was experiencing was normal based on her experience with her concussion. On 2/8/19 A few days later I received two of the most significant care packages I have ever received in my life. I didn’t realize it at the time yet the letter from Mary Duffy (K & Bo’s mom), noise cancelling headphones and Arnica gel from BO would be the anchor items that would lead and direct my concussion recovery.

Concussion Starter Kit: Noise cancelling headphones, Arnicare gel and the note from Mary Duffy that guided my recovery.

Note reads:

Lauren- I am so sorry you have to go through this. Here is what I know for sure:

-No one understands head injuries unless they lived one EVEN SOME DOCTORS

-Trust yourself- you know your body/head. Do not doubt yourself or think you are crazy

-Much of your head injury is not only your brain being knocked against your skull but your neck being totally screwed up w/ whiplash

-NO MATTER WHAT GET VESTIBULAR THERAPY

*Do not sign off on any insurance until you are fully recovered

-This takes MANY DIFFERENT kinds of professionals NOT JUST NEUROLOGIST

-Listen to Bo. She DOES KNOW THIS. CALL HER DAY & NIGHT

-You can always call me or anyone who has questions about you I will be happy to talk to them

Good Luck

Right now: sleep & do only what your head/neck will allow. Sleep is your healing friend.

All my best,

Mary Duffy S

2007 Mom’s Weekend @ Miami of OH. Kristin, Mary Duffy and I