Caregiver to TBI husband

[Sara]

Hello everyone,

I am new here and not sure that many caregiver's frequent this place, but thought I would share our story anyways as my husband's injuries effect both of us.  My husband was in the Army and sustained his TBI overseas in Iraq in April of 2006.  At the time none of us knew what was wrong.  He was in an IED blast that was huge and the force of the blast knocked him from the gunner's hatch down inside the vehicle where he was unconscious for some time, though no one really knows how long.  He was dizzy, confused and couldn't hear for like 2 months after.  His company did not do a good job and they made him finish his tour which was still 9 more months of combat at that point.  Following the IED blast they also had two more blasts of C4 as they blew up a bridge all within a 3 hour time frame. 

 

We have been told his TBI is "mild" but it has been almost 5 years and he still struggles with daily functioning.  Further testing has shown that he actually has areas of severe damage in his frontal lobe.  While my husband was and is proud that he served our country, nothing could have prepared us for how different our lives are now.  We are still fighting for decent care and the elusive purple heart that he still does not have.  He has never been in any kind of treatment program for either his TBI or PTSD.  On top of both of those he also experiences periodic paralysis but it is not seizures. I am not sure what your stories are, but I look forward to reading about them and getting to know some of you.  Is this website a WA thing?  I don't know much about it, so pardon my ignorance. 

 

Over the past few years I have really done a lot of TBI research and am amazed by all of the courageous stories I have encountered.  We are now entering another phase of transition as we prepare to move because we do not have the medical care available to us that we need here.  Thanks for reading this and I look forward to talking to you all.

 

Sara

[James McNeill]

it has been a night mare for me and my family, we cannnot get the care we need, I find that we go to spokane they have both survivor groups and caregiver groups that are incredible and they have identified lots of resources in their area that we donot have our way, they have a community that is there for on another, it is such a hard transition and even harder with out supports

[Tina Heintz]

so what state do you think ou need to move too, where have you found or believe has the best care, I know some state have nothing and some have some thats why they call it the hidden or silent epidemic you are brave for haning in there stay blessed

[Catherine]

being the caregiver to someone going through so much pain is hard and very demanding I commend you for what you are doing he is very lucky

[Richard J]

Hi Sara. Please talk to your states Brain Injury Association, talk to your states Veterans groups,  talk to your congressmen(women), talk, talk and talk.  There is no much thing as "mild" TBI and talking to the right people will help. I don't know where you live and it doesn't matter in this forum, there are many people who do not live in Washington... like me.

[Dan Fay]

It is great to hear of courageous, dedicated spouses such as yourselves.  My wife has dealt with my TBI strongly as well. I know it has pushed her to the limit but we've endured.  I would highly recommend that your husband get treatment for both TBI and PTSD.  If you wish, you can read a bit more of my story on www.myspace.com/xylence78 .  I am not from Washington but it sounds like you are doing the right thing in researching.  My wife found the best rehab center in our area after intense research as well, including talking to others.  I'm sorry for the challenges you are both facing now.  Though it's so very hard, I believe it best to take this as a new challenge with new goals.  Even though you may have to face the same goals over and over again, take, and give, credit for each achievement.  I'm hoping to bring music to the attention as a possible therapy, as it was and is for me, so you may want to look into that on some level as well.  My best to you both.