Author Archives: brockettv

Caregivers with fur

Scalp pain returned last night briefly and the last two weeks I’ve had dizziness when moving my head.

I had some walking issues earlier this week, almost tripped over my legs again in the living room.

Stella the cat 

According to my neurologist who I saw earlier last month, I have something called parasthesias, transient right leg weakness and slight dysmetria.

In October, my cat Stella turned 19. She’s helped me recover through four shunt revision surgeries (2009-2014) and multiple brain injuries in 2014.

11/2/19 – Right side of head scar from shunt
revision surgery in May 2014

This weekend, someone asked me about the scar on the side of my head. Most of the time it can’t be seen, it’s only noticeable when I get a haircut.  I don’t mind talking about my brain injuries sometimes, it is usually a good 30 to 45 minute story from start to finish.  However, yesterday, I chose the shorter version of the story explaining I had had surgery it was long story. Wherein the woman replied, ‘You’re going to be okay right?” and of course, I said, ‘Yes, I think I will be”

What a nice random encounter to have with someone on a cold and windy day.  A few days ago, the wind in the evening was bothering my forehead.

My shunt is behaving since then…. No pain for a week already, which is a small miracle in itself.

Brain Walk 2019

Myself behind the Brain Injury
Awareness Sign

Last week, I walked for Brain InjuryAwareness. Because I registered early, I received a T Shirt.

Before the walk, breakfast was available which included bagels, coffee, water and fruit. After the walk was finished, sandwiches and other snacks were provided.

Head and shunt pain has been minimal this week.

The brain tee this year is blue.

I saw my neurologist earlier this month, and my walking and balance issues have improved since my last appointment which was earlier this year.

My doctor had referred me I see a physical therapist during my appointment earlier this year. I realized it was my shoes were uneven on the bottom. This caused my feet to turn inward. Upon changing my shoes, I noticed a difference in how I was walking.

This does not mean I don’t still have some balance issues.

I do get the occasional right leg crossing over my left leg and if I’m not aware of this, I will fall on my face.  The leg crossing or ‘scissoring” as they called it in rehab, is random.

This has happened more than once over the last five years since my brain injuries.  I was told by another stroke survivor a few years ago that these things never really go away.

This morning, I heard a familiar sound coming from behind my right eye (where I had strabismus surgery in 2015) I had asked my neuro opthalmologist about this and he had said it was my blood pressure. Behind my eye? Maybe. Or I think it could be the nerve or something.

Looking forward to future brain injury walks and more pain free moments…I’ve gotten lucky these last few days…