awareness

Quick update… we were thrilled to meet Michael’s case manager Chris with Brain Injury Services.  The first visit was an informal “get to know ya” but I think the first impression was shared by all – this is the perfect match for Mike.  He was open to working with Mike’s Neuropsychologist, I would actually say he was delighted to work in partnership with her. Mike’s team will now include two people who specialize in helping brain injury survivors find their way.  YEAH!!!!

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month – to bring attention to the seriousness of brain injury, their focus varies each year. Ironically, 2009 is to raise awareness of sports related brain injury.

I’m sure everyone has heard of the recent untimely death of Natasha Richardson during a skiing lesson on a beginner’s slope.  Her death caused by an injury to her brain.  By all accounts, her injury was a mild head injury much less severe than the injury Michael sustained to his brain. Her death was an accident, a sports related head injury. The doctors said she might have survived if she had received immediate treatment. However, nearly four hours elapsed between her fall and the time she was seen at the hospital. She suffered from an epidural hematoma, which is often caused by a skull fracture. It can quickly produce a blood clot that puts pressure on the brain. That pressure can force the brain downward, pressing on the brain stem that controls breathing and other vital functions that keep us alive. The scary thing is you might feel fine immediately afterward because symptoms from the bleeding may take time to emerge.

For Michael – an auto accident. He suffered blunt head trauma and multiple lacerations to his head while driving home intoxicated on Interstate 66 at exit 66. The vehicle left the road at a speed in excess of 60 miles an hour, hit a guard rail at the exit, the impact propelled the Jeep forward with it’s rear flipping over the front. It landed headlights up on the right rear side, the sudden deceleration threw the Jeep forward again hitting a tree headlights down and one more bounce back to all four tires.

There were many forces that caused traumatic damage to his brain. He had three large lacerations; the temporal areas of both sides and the occipital area of the back of his head. The cerebral cortex was bruised (contused), the deep white matter suffered diffuse axonal injury when his head whip-lashed without necessarily hitting a hard object, the axons stretched so much that they were torn and damaged (sheered). Cerebral contusions at the tips of the frontal and temporal lobes where they banged up against the interior of his skull. Diffuse axonal injury occurred more toward the center of his brain where the axons were subjected to the most stretching. His brain was swelling from bruising and pooling of blood. Michael’s injuries were so severe, he was non-responsive and Code Blue upon arrival in the ER.

The outward injuries to his body were obvious but the injuries to his brain although assumed, were invisible. We were fortunate that a cab driver witnessed the accident and called for help. Blessed that the ambulance responded quickly and Fairfax Hospital was within minutes of Exit 66. Within those first critical hours, he received brain injury specific medical treatment including a craniotomy that allowed his brain to decompress. Swelling of the brain becomes dangerous when the swelling causes a rise in intracranial pressure which prevents blood from entering the skull to deliver oxygen to the brain. Because of immediate medical attention, Michael survived. It could have been so different. Worse yet, it could have been prevented.

Sports injuries however may not be as clear cut, not as easy to identify as Michael’s. Many times head injuries are very treatable if you’re aware of what the problem is and you quickly receive medical attention. Would it be horrible to think the injury to your/his/her brain could have been prevented? If only I/he/she had worn a helmet. If only he hadn’t gotten behind the wheel. I speak from my heart when unequivocally I answer, yes. Yes, it is horrible to know it could have been prevented.

Ya know, I’ve been thinking. Wearing a helmet may be like wearing a condom. Nobody “wants” to wear one but each will save your life. Put helmets on those heads.

xxoo