The results are in! I still have brain damage! However, the
MRI and MRA procedures I had last Friday show that my brain images are just the
same as a year ago. That is good news!
The bad news is I still have neck pain since the rear-end
collision I experienced last January. Despite PT, X-Rays, and very rough brain
scans I have pain.
In the hospital after my strokes, nurses posted a “pain scale”
for me to describe my pain level. At that point, I needed the chart because I
could not talk.
During my PT because of the rear-ender, one of my therapists
asked about my pain. I said, “In the hospital after my massive stroke, the
doctor had to insert a port into my heart. That pain was a 10. It was awful!”
The PT is helping. Nevertheless, I still get some sharp
shooting pains.
I sometimes wonder if the neck pain will just be there
forever.
I have also considered that I am getting older. Is the neck
pain the result of the collision or being 55 years old?
Years ago, my doctor saw me for some ache or pain. I was describing
my pain.
He smirked, and said, “Well, you are 40 now. Your body will get more
aches and pains. It is just life and being older.”
I use the pain scale often because of the PT and otherwise.
It is handy to describe all sorts of pain.
The loud banging noise during MRI’s and MRA’s are about a 7.
The sharp shooting pain because of the collision varied from
3 to 9 or 10.
The actual first stroke on the pain scale was pretty minor.
However, the migraines the lead up to the strokes were about an 8.
Just doing this blog typing in my home office, my upper back
is painful…about a 7.
That is just the actual pain in my shoulder and neck.
In my brain, the internal pain is getting more profound. The concentration I need to type gets worse as I go.
Preparing for and attending meetings is the same concept. My
pain when I start doing any actively is about 2 or 3. I also have some pain.
Again, I am getting older. Throughout an
activity – especially when I have to speak and/or think a lot – my threshold of
pain decreases exponentially. By the end of a long meeting, my pain is about 8
or 9.
The next day, I am exhausted and have to sleep a long time.
That next day, the pain can be a 9 or a 10.
I do think I have a high pain tolerance. I also believe I
have a high pain tolerance for emotions, stamina, persistence, and patience.
However, I do have some limits. I am testing my limits because
of this man rear-ended me. Certainly, his insurance is covering the basic
stuff.
Yet, wearing my old Economist major hat, my “opportunity cost”
is getting exorbitant. What is “opportunity cost?”
In other words, I am just tired of using my limited financial
and brain capacity to deal with this situation. I have to drive, use gas, use MY time, miss other things, etc.
HIS choices have left ME know choices.
HIS choices have left ME know choices.
I am pissed off with a headache and back pain. Not a good combination.
Comments