tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12482315031878645712024-02-20T15:38:30.092-06:00TBI Army WifeThe purpose of this blog is to create awareness about traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a caregiver's perspective. I am the proud wife of TBI Warrior, a Purple Heart Recipient Veteran with TBI. You may want to know more about walking this journey while giving life a new meaning or how to fall in love with the new person? Those are some of the experiences I will share and hopefully it will help you transform your circumstances into happiness, joy and a new beautiful and fulfilling life.TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-76524795941250857832018-06-29T09:57:00.000-05:002018-06-29T10:57:01.902-05:00A New Beginning All Over Again<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">It was a bright and warm morning in early May 2009. Many families gathered in an hangar at Fort Bliss, TX, for the farewell of the 1st Armored Division Soldiers getting ready for a new deployment to Iraq. One of these Soldiers was my wonderful and loving husband, at the time staff sergeant (SSG) Victor Medina. Before leaving, he ran to me three times for a last hug and kiss. I will never forget that memory and how it felt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIgCb45TWmNQaQBD2SgKyYAWPOpLfwlj7sTLRIUsPbxSrK8fQfshnRdw61g3Lu84_8_CSV1L_cip_IJd5kbJ2KGS0_TzmudghEy-R4EEn5P1VLaNWCWOXzoU5jEXamX1JBm3Uh65LiG_r/s1600/4168_201652745437_783794_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIgCb45TWmNQaQBD2SgKyYAWPOpLfwlj7sTLRIUsPbxSrK8fQfshnRdw61g3Lu84_8_CSV1L_cip_IJd5kbJ2KGS0_TzmudghEy-R4EEn5P1VLaNWCWOXzoU5jEXamX1JBm3Uh65LiG_r/s200/4168_201652745437_783794_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Some weeks later on May 29th we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Victor always made me feel so special and important in his life, and this time was no different. It was the fourth time we celebrated our anniversary apart and as always, he didn’t forget and planned ahead to make sure it was special. Little did we know we were a month away from experiencing a life detour, the biggest test of our love and lives, all in a click of a button.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">On June 29, 2009 during a patrol mission, Victor’s MRAP was hit by an explosive formed projectile, one of the deadliest forms of improvised explosive devices. After moments of confusion, disorientation and pain, he was indeed “wounded in action”. Victor sustained a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), with scattered hemorrhage in his brain among other injuries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">The road to recovery was far from ideal, easy or pleasant. We encountered many challenges along the way, but we also experienced the beauty of faith, love and strength. We witnessed what resilience looks like, we tasted the bittersweet of new beginnings and although we bled while grabbing the thorns of frustration and sorrow, we smelled the fresh fragrance of family, friendship and support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "applesystemuifont";"><span style="color: #a64d79;">It is undisputed that June 29, 2009 is a day we will never forget, but also a day we will never regret. </span><span style="color: #353535;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_DgZ0PPYFoxAcUhKOm3mYmlYxzzzuBXqOC7rggBrtsSLcqQDd7ozu7R2zvXDiH7xRjmZV8tZ0lbPgAT1X-aowGWZP0i_I90GUdVOxOm6kghyphenhyphenvIWaQ2nZRBxFWAem4Gah66JMdlB-d-lX/s1600/Roxana+and+Victor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_DgZ0PPYFoxAcUhKOm3mYmlYxzzzuBXqOC7rggBrtsSLcqQDd7ozu7R2zvXDiH7xRjmZV8tZ0lbPgAT1X-aowGWZP0i_I90GUdVOxOm6kghyphenhyphenvIWaQ2nZRBxFWAem4Gah66JMdlB-d-lX/s200/Roxana+and+Victor.jpeg" title="Roxana and Victor" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Because of it, Victor and I have met and have been embraced by a wonderful community of people with disabilities, we are one of those families that appreciate the good in life, that doesn’t take anything for granted and that live by faith, knowing we will prevail. We have risen from the ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">This journey has taught us that perseverance is the master of success, gratitude opens the blinds to beauty and opportunity, that good leaders lead by example and that the healthcare system needs significant advances to understand and treat the brain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Now, 9 years later, our healing journey hasn’t been easy but well-traveled, with many memories and stories to tell. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Yet, this is not over, our newest endeavor started 3 months ago when </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.tbiwarriorfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">TBI Warrior Foundation</span></a></span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";"> was born. TBI Warrior</span><sup><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "r" , serif;">® </span></sup><span style="color: #353535; font-family: "applesystemuifont";">Foundation is a labor of love, passion and resilience, bringing together lived experience experts, friends and community, to bridge the gaps between veterans, civilians, children and families affected by brain injury and illness. Together, creating awareness, exploring and sharing solutions to improve quality of life. Because while science advancements catch up to the problem, those living with brain injury need to know there is hope. With proper support and resources people with brain injury and their families can rise from the ashes and walk the path of a fruitful healing journey.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "applesystemuifont";"><span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 53, 53);"><b>With Love,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(53, 53, 53); font-family: "applesystemuifont";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>Roxana (~ Dr. D)</b></span></span></div>
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TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-71027693432997656652017-08-11T11:19:00.001-05:002017-08-11T11:33:29.714-05:00A Journey of Grace and Love<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;">In 2009 when my sweet husband Victor was medevac’d from Iraq I
anticipated a challenging road, but what I didn't envisioned was how much grace
it will bring to our lives in this very successful healing journey. The set of
expectations, demands and responsibilities sometimes felt too much to bear. The amount of commitment, love and acceptance for my husband and myself as we walked this path defined the healing in this home. Walking the path of this unexpected journey were met by a number of disappointments, but nothing compares to the
joy of small victories and triumphs along the way. While walking this new unsolicited path,
and experiencing a "life detour", some things are important to be
identified and never taken for granted:</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">New
relationships:</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> perhaps noticing those family members you encounter in the hospital or rehabilitation
center waiting room or in the hallway. They may become your new extended family, the ones you can count on.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Perseverance:</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17pt;">
remembering that the clue to never giving up on your loved one is believing s/he can heal, even when </span><span style="font-size: 22.66666603088379px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 17pt;"> cure is not possible. You are his/her
best asset, the true champion and advocate in their lives. </span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span style="color: #454545;">3.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #454545;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Faith:</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
understanding the power of faith has infinite implications in how we view the
world around us. It keep us strong and grounded.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Gratitude:</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
being grateful for everything and everyone are the key to recognizing goodness
in the midst of our circumstances.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Grace
and love:</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> these go hand in hand because without love there is no grace and
viceversa. The perpetual commitment to our loved one without neglecting
ourselves will help us redefine our lives towards a bright future. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the end, a good attitude could dissipate sorrow in times of
doubt, it will certainly be attractive to others and it will never fail your
sense of wellbeing. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
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<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"But they that wait upon the </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;"> shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." </span></i>Isaiah 40:31</span></div>
TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-58145384042385315682017-03-26T20:28:00.000-05:002017-03-26T20:28:07.930-05:005 Things to Consider When Caring for a Loved One with TBI<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>When my loved one has a Traumatic Brain Injury. How to better support him/her without forgetting who I am?</b></span><div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The person with TBI may be vulnerable, so try
to assist in the decision-making process without erring in continually making
decisions for your loved one. This will help in keeping a sense of independence
and autonomy.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Confusion, forgetfulness, and even lack of
motivation may be factors that influence the degree this person engages with
other people and activities. Don’t blame them, but try to use strategies to
better engage this person in a safe and healthy environment.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don’t blame ALL circumstances to the TBI. TBI is
NOT responsible for every little behavior. Personal responsibility and accountability
are very important and it may be applied to a person with a TBI in a case by
case basis.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Individuals with a TBI have goals, dreams and
hopes. Engaging in positive discussions of how to achieve these goals is
important, keeping in mind that your availability as a caregiver needs to consider
your own personal “me” time.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Like Victor (my better half) would say, TBI
stands for “To Be Improved”. With good strategies you may be able to create a healthy
productive environment that may lead to success (however success is defined by
you and your loved one). Improving doesn’t mean curing but maximizing the
capabilities and potential the person can achieve. Being realistic doesn’t need
to be pessimistic, being realistic is assessing the current situation and
identifying ways to improve and achieve attainable goals.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Be
safe, be you, be kind, love immensely and make sure that you as a caregiver, you maintain your independence as a person, perhaps more valuable than ever. You have been given this new mission
and as long as you are appreciated, just embrace it with joy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Being a caregiver
may not be life’s greatest adventure but healthy caregiving can be a journey of
yet the greatest testament of strength and perseverance, sprinkled by kindness,
love and grace.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-46332313591840071242017-03-22T15:43:00.001-05:002017-03-22T15:43:28.549-05:00March: Brain Injury Awareness MonthTraumatic brain injury (TBI) has been defined as a signature wound of war. What many people don’t realize is that TBI is a leading cause of injury-related death and disability in the United States. In 2010, as many as 2.5 million people sustained a TBI resulting in emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, or deaths 1. TBI doesn’t discriminate by age, race, sex, ethnicity or education. It can happen to anyone. Some groups may be at a higher risk of sustaining a TBI. That is the main reason why, when we discuss this topic, we tend to think of the military and veterans.
National data doesn’t include the approximate 357K TBIs reported among service members and veterans. This number sounds alarming, but even more alarming is the coexistence or comorbidities of other conditions resulting from the exposure to war, like posttraumatic stress (PTS) and chronic pain. Without proper rehabilitation, this cluster of conditions make it even worse for the person to perform well in their daily lives. This is the main reason why Victor and I are ardent advocates for the proper identification, diagnosis and rehabilitation of TBI. We have spoken and lectured about Victor’s disabilities, a situation presenting a scenario that seemed to blur a bright future. However, we never ceased to envision a bright future, despite all the prognosis. You may ask yourself, why we never ceased to envision a bright future? The answer is because we believe in hope, we have faith and because after all, my husband is a fighter and I knew it was in his DNA to continue to fight for his health. He described the process as “<i>Owning my condition and beating the odds</i>”. Is he cured? No, he is not. But because Victor received close to 3 years of rehabilitation, coupled with assistive devices and resources, he thrived in reaching his goals. And that my friends, is what we should aim towards for all our TBI community. Helping them achieve their goals whatever they may be. For Victor, it was independence, i.e., being able to drive and things on his own.<br />
<br />
I have heard many times the phrase “No two TBIs are the same”, and that is true. What does that mean? For me as a caregiver it meant that we had to be proactive, creative and tenacious in 3 things:
<br />
<br />
1. <b>Identifying the symptoms and associated conditions that emerged after the TBI.</b> I kept a log with the frequency and duration of symptoms. This helped me identify the type of specialists we should be consulting and perhaps the tests that were needed to establish a post-injury baseline.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Accept that, although the injury is produced in the head, “It isn’t in the head” or more so, it is not a result of issues in the mind.</b> Every symptom is real, as it is experienced by the loved one. Understanding that will help with building the loved ones’ confidence. I remember Victor asking me; “Is it in my head?” Why would he ask this? Because many times it can be confusing. I would ask Victor to describe his symptoms as much as he could and I annotated them. I didn’t make a big deal of the them. I listened and encouraged him to keep track of how he felt to increase awareness about the triggers (for example, what triggered the debilitating headaches or the worsening in speech or balance, etc.)<br />
<br />
3. <b>Actively engage in the creation and implementation of measures to provide adequate resources for the person with TBI and for yourself as the caregiver. </b>I formulated a plan that included a rehabilitation team, assistive devices and home activities to reinforce and increase performance. To this day I am so happy we did, because Victor will take pride in saying that he does an amazing job doing the laundry. Now, 7 years later, many of these approaches became habits and these are in many ways responsible for Victor’s great advancement. Also, make sure that you have a plan as a caregiver to care for yourself. A car can’t run on empty. There are various organizations these days providing resources to improve one’s health and wellbeing. Make sure you take advantage of them.
Education is key: engage in increasing your knowledge and education about TBI. Don’t make assumptions. I read the book from Dr. Richard Senelick, “Living with Brain Injury: A Guide for Patients and Their Families”. It was even better when we received a DVD that Victor and I could watch together. From then on, I immersed myself in the current literature. During our evening conversations, we discussed the topics as part of our family life. I should say, it was always from a very positive perspective.
But the most important element is empowering the person to be the best version of themselves they can be and to help them strive to achieve their goals. Military culture is engrained in their system and leveraging from those attributes are the key to success. Be persistent in envisioning a brighter future. In the good days, celebrate. In the bad days, stay positive by changing the lens from where you are perceiving your circumstances.
I always see my cup half full, because then I focus on what I have and not in what I don’t have. I then leverage from what we had to ensure a brighter and better future. Today, 7 years later, I am so glad we did. Life is not perfect but in a household where abundant love, joy, happiness, comfort and peace reign, we know God has blessed us with a beautiful and magnificent life. We wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world. Life is good and even better when we learn to count our precious blessings daily!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">References: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Report to Congress on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Epidemiology and Rehabilitation. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Atlanta, GA.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/files/tbi-numbers/DoD-TBI-Worldwide-Totals_2016_Q3_Nov-10-2016_v1.0_508_2016-12-27.pdf
</span>TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-72467934765560469122013-07-01T21:21:00.000-05:002013-07-01T21:21:40.388-05:00AnniversaryOn May 29, 2009 it was my husband's and my 9th wedding anniversary. Little did I know that a month later, on June 29, 2009 our lives would change. June 29, 2009, I received the call from the Department of teh Army informing me that my husband was wounded. He sustained a traumatic brain injury while on patrol in Iraq. Now, 4 years later I still remember that day so clearly. That day my heart sank, I thought I lost the person I loved and I thought it was the end, but I was mistaken, my dear husband came back to me. My husband returned physically but cognitively he was a different man. He had to learn how to live with impairments he didn't have, and he had to learn how to start a new life: one that has certainly marked our paths forever.
During these 4 years we have the priviledge of meeting the most wonderful people we could ever imagined (selfless, compassionate and dedicated), we loved each other more than ever, we have accomplished things that we never envisioned, and most of all, our heart is dedicated to serve others that are walking the path we walked. On that morning of June 29th, I vowed to myself that I was never going to be broken, that no matter the circumstances I would take one day at a time and find meaning in all our circumstances. Today, I still live with those principles in mind but above all, my love, devotion and gratitude goes to the Lord, the One that helps me to continue moving forward. My faith is essential part of our journey and my trust in the Lord has been my comfort in difficult times. Since that morning of June 29th, we have comfronted many challenges, but we have also won many battles and have thrived in all.
Like my husband will say "Never give up, it is a new beginning". I personally wouldn't change anything because our life has turned out to be a wonderful story of hope, love, compassion and commitment, for the World to see that these prevailed even during the most difficult times.
Warm Regards,
Roxana
TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-7113549390073981922013-03-25T11:23:00.000-05:002013-03-26T11:24:28.322-05:00Hearts of Valor RetreatThis past weekend I spent three days sharing with families of Wounded Warriors. One have to believe that they are the strongest women on Earth and that is what we hear constantly from people who support military families. As I do some reflection exercise about this weekend, I cannot avoid but to think of the various backgrounds, the variety of flavors in culture, professions, passion and military branches these women represented. Despite this variety there is one thing that really stands out; we are one family, we see pass our differences and we become more similar than ever. God has allowed me to speak to these spouses and the opportunity that Hearts of Valor provided, was difficult to put a value to it, because there is a wealth of experiences lived during this weekend; there is nothing that can pay for such wonderful memories. It is my hope that each of the spouses and mothers that attended the retreat were able to see this event was coordinated with sacrifice, love and commitment from the Operation Homefront Hearts of Valor staff (http://www.heartsofvalor.org) and the “anonymous” financial supporters.
As I sit here in the airport waiting for my flight, I can’t help but to wonder, how many of the people seating around me, completely submerged into their own World know how empowering families of Wounded Warriors can be? We are a new breed of veteran’s families, we endured frequent and long deployments, and we have the power to change history. Back during the Vietnam era, spouses didn’t have support and help to cope with their new life after war; the public was not supportive and they suffered a great deal of pain, sorrow and loneliness. I always thank them because they stood up to make sure this war wasn’t going to open a space for this insensitive and painful past to resurface; they made sure our Wounded Warriors were recognized and valued for their bravery and sacrifices. We, as spouses and families of Wounded Warriors, lets stand up together, as one voice and let the World know, that yes we are strong, we move on with this heavy load but we will carry on and we will stand up for our brave Warriors, for their memory, for their love and courage to our great Nation. We stand up for liberty and we stand up for Freedom, and we are ready to take on this new fight in our lives face all these challenges because this battle is ours and we will thrive, because we are one body, one family, one soul and one spirit, we are the <b>Hearts of Valor</b>.TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-23020298754009586822013-01-03T11:31:00.000-06:002013-01-08T21:22:17.090-06:00New Year!<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">Hi friends, I hope that when you read this post you are enjoying life like it should be and undisputedly we all should strive for. Sometimes we let our life conform to the shape of our circumstances. Just imagine if the clay is not well work by the artist, then the vase would never have the intended form. I always tell people that I live my life to the fullest and I do not let my past or current situations define who I am, but I will learn from the purpose of each one of them. That said, I want you know that my husband is improving significantly, not because his impairments resolved but because everyday he is learning and striving to manage everything in a way that he can fulfill his goals.</span><br />
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As a caregiver of a Soldier with traumatic brain injury for the past three and a half years I can say, I have walked in various paths that were unexpected. I wasn't ready, I never envisioned this new life but this new life have brought one of the most meaningful experiences, the opportunity to serve others. Taking the sorrow and converting it in the fuel to help others while helping myself was challenging but it has been successful. I'm thankful for a great support system, including our online community of friends. Some of you I already met during my travels and some of you I'm anxiously waiting the moment when we will meet.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">Three and a half years can go so fast or so slow, that is all individual perception. I feel this time has been so long and full of experiences. Victor and I have gone to places and have met people we never imagined. It has been time and energy consuming but it has been all worth it. There were times that I felt discouraged, frustrated, lonely and many more things that took breath away from me, but my heart was always ready to move on, to grab and hold tight because the ride was going to be fast. Today after so many situations, good and bad, we still standing strong, ready to conquer whatever come to us. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">People ask me all the time how I manage to assume so many responsibilities and I just share my perfect recipe for strength, peace and joy no matter the circumstances. This recipe may or may not apply to you and I respect your opinion but I feel compelled to share as it has been my greatest source of hope:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">1. I wake up each day leaving behind the load from the day before</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">2. Give thanks for all I am, will be and the beautiful day I'm living.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">3. Daily prayer and devotions</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">4. I thank God everyday for all that it is in my life with the certainty that He has a purpose beyond what I can perceive at the moment. That is the faith that allows me to continue to move forward.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">5. I see in others the good in them and forgive any wrong doing . I value others regardless of their position, education or any other superficial characteristic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">6. I maintain a positive perspective despite any present circumstance, I always seek the good in the bad.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">7. Most of ALL and beyond anything else I trust the Lord with ALL my heart and never rest in my own understanding. I seek His presence and I strive to love others just as He loves us.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">During this time of the year, take a minute to count your blessings and start moving forward to a new year, with a positive attitude and hope. I am looking forward to beautiful life. This year 2013 I may not strive to loose weight or make more money or obtain material things. I strive to reach out to as many as I can, I want to complete my doctoral studies to be able to use my talents for the good of others, I want to share a beautiful life with my husband and would like to live a fulfilled life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438);">God bless you all, my dear friends!</span></div>
TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-85171832020720585582012-12-01T11:53:00.001-06:002012-12-01T11:53:40.993-06:00Living in the PresentFor the past couple of years more scientists are studying the benefits of living in the present. As I woke up this morning I thought about all the caregivers that are worrying so much about their future. I have heard things like "But what if he doesn't change", "Will this situation going to be like this forever?" "If he doesn't get the retirement or rating we are expecting, we won't be able to support our family" and many more concerns about the future. <br />
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All these concerns are legitimate and many times takes part in our dreams, take time from our sleep and it is revolving constantly in our minds. When thinking on all these this morning I couldn't avoid but reflect on it. During my “me” time this morning I thanked God for all the wonderful things in life, because definitely could have been worst. Pretty much we can all relate to knowing someone who is worse than us, but that is not the point. The important thing is recognizing that we all have our own and unique circumstances that many times we cannot change, so the question is "How are we going to live with this situation in our lives?” <br />
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It is not a simple matter and definitely complicates our daily emotions, it is like being in an emotional rollercoaster, hanging in there, tolerating the rapid and fast turns, creating that pressure in our chest and taking our breath away. That is the reason that this morning something came to my mind: <br />
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;">"Don't make Today the tomorrow you anxiously awaited because soon it will become the yesterday that will never come back. Live in the present. Each day is unique so make the most out of it." </span></i><br />
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Today is a day that will never come back, it is the day that so desperately we were worried about yesterday and soon it will be the past. If we live everyday worrying about tomorrow, WE WILL miss the opportunity of living the day that is quickly passing through, we will not create memories for tomorrow. Tomorrow we will look back and notice that we missed every second worrying so much. We will not have precious memories in our "life's treasure box" and we will be sad for a past that went by too fast. It just reminded me a passage in the Bible that says: <br />
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“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34<br />
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Let's start building a very robust link of memories and I challenge you to start taking each day as a unique, special one in your life. I do not say that it is easy but it just takes a grain of faith and abundance of hope. I wish you, all my caregiver friends, a beautiful, joyful and peaceful time of the year. Celebrate based on your convictions (for me I celebrate Christmas) and be Happy, after all we all live one day at a time , to the best of my knowledge we cannot go back to the past or jump to the future, so let's live today for what it is, "the present that will build our future, or the gates to the future" Hugs! TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-29653657507260254532012-06-13T23:17:00.000-05:002012-06-13T23:17:42.026-05:00Marriage and IntimacyI was asked to write about marriage and intimacy. What a topic of so much divergence and complicated to the human nature. When I see marriages that survived WWII, Korea and Vietnam I can’t avoid thinking “wow, how they made that happened”, but the more I speak with more experienced couples the more I see a common theme among them, values and commitment. I remember seeing my grandparents’ growing old and still saying “I love you” like it was part of their daily language.
“What have we forgotten or when did we disconnect?” “There is no intimacy, there is no marriage”. These question and statement are so common and have been brought to my attention by spouses of wounded warriors. One afternoon I am sitting at home and I am reflecting in all the comments that I have heard and the pain and sorrow that these situations bring to these spouses. Are you the spouse of a wounded warrior? Life is not over, like my husband will say, “It is a new beginning”. The problem is that sometimes we are young and full of life and in a minute we feel that life as we know it is gone. In 2009 when my husband was wounded and medically evacuated I was uncertain about our future but I was certain I would work hard to make it a better one and I was determine to bring color to our life. At first all the colors I saw could have painted a rainy gloomy day, however I knew my palate of colors had to expand to be able to paint that beautiful clear rainbow that comes after the rain, and so I did.
When I think of intimacy I do not think it can be interchangeably and uniquely seen from the perspective that usually society defines it: a sexual encounter. My first question was “How elderly couples or even severely wounded couples achieve intimacy?” Well it came to mind that intimacy is what you make of it, it is how you define it and “Oh how happy I am”, that means I am in control of it. Many times with a spouse that has been wounded, the physical scars (if any) may heal but the emotional scars are sometimes the most devastating. Expectations is a meaningful factor when it comes to intimacy so let me describe it this way: If I expect my husband and I, to have intimacy as many times described by society and it is not achieved, then I could feel disappointed, discourage and unhappy, only because I haven’t reach my expectations, it is part of human nature. Do you know what that means? it means you have control of your expectations. If you set your expectations so hi that with your partner’s conditions makes them unrealistic, then you are in trouble because you will be unhappy, disappointed and discouraged. On the other hand if we define intimacy as our own we could describe it as a nice afternoon in the park holding hands exchanging words of affirmation of love, then it may be more a reach. For me intimacy is my husband brewing coffee, serving it and having a nice conversation. In winter would be having hot cocoa in front of the fireplace and embedded in a dialogue and laughs. I never expect more or less than a good time and that is what helped me achieve intimacy, strengthen the marriage and achieve happiness in the phase we are.
You may say that it sounds easier than what reality is and I completely agree but if I found my formula to reach that point of contempt then I encourage you to create your own formula to success, each one of us is different and I know you can do it. I am a very positive person so I tend to identify good attributes of every so-called bad circumstance. I describe marriage as a journey of various scenarios and adventures but more than that, it is the ultimate sacrifice of love, holding to one another and never let go when the hike gets steep and rocky.
In marriage communication is an attribute and skill that needs refinement and perfection with time. Communication is not just talking: it is about expressing a thought in the various ways possible; it is how you look at each other, the way you pass the plate for dinner, a gentle touch, and the last words you say when starting a busy day or what is said before going to sleep. In reality, couples sometimes think that communication is a formal way of taking time to discuss issues and resolve problems. Communication should be the way you utilize various mechanisms possible to express a feeling, idea or message. A daily positive communication can safe a marriage from devastating consequences, and it should be practiced in a daily basis. It never hurts to provide kind words, to smile, to look in the eyes and say it all.
I encourage you to take the next week and think about that person you married, who she/he was, How you first met and how you both knew you were in love? What is a good anecdote or story that made you laugh so hard that you cried. When did you decide to get married and why? What was that special connection you had that made you decide you really wanted to spend the rest of your life with that significant human being in your life? And I would say, ask yourself this final question: How can we both start a new beginning and a new normal in our lives, one that would be better than what we ever imagined?TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-50830025890142752482012-04-10T23:13:00.000-05:002012-04-10T23:13:27.654-05:00Catching up....It has been quite some time since I last wrote. There have been many new developments in our lives. Very good news is that our cause to bring awareness has been picking up and more people are looking for ways to help spread the word. I had the opportunity to go to the State of the Union Address last January and needless to say it was an amazing experience, thanks to Congressman Reyes and his wife Carolina, it was like a dream come true. We have also participated of numerous events as well as helping families cope with this new normal in their lives. <br />
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On February I participated of a weekend retreat for Wounded Warrior Wives (WWW). This organization is helping the WWW community in ways that I cannot finish to describe. One of the many commitments they do is that they take this retreat around the Nation. For more information go to http://www.woundedwarriorwives.org and sign up to become a member (it is free). Anyway, I spent a weekend with other WWW and I realized that each of our cases are so different but we all share something in common, we love our Warriors and we are willing to run the extra mile for them. I met the most beautiful, strong and wonderful wives. I was so empowered by their stories and at the same time we shed tears listening to each other stories. I felt like I had finally someone that understood exactly how I felt, just like we shared the same feelings and at the same time we decided to strive for a better tomorrow. Overall I can just say that it was an amazing experience that I am so glad I had.<br />
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On another topic, many things have been amazing in our lives but still sometimes I feel like all these is surreal, it is like I am expecting to wake up and go back to where I left two and a half years ago. I have these days when I want to wake up and go back and some other days that I just want to keep going and make huge differences in people lives. I received so many e-mails about the posting I did long time ago about “marriage after a brain injury”. I will do a second part because there is so much I can share, not just my experiences but my perspective of things. I would just say, hang in there, sometimes it may feel like you are in an emotional roller coaster and yes that is normal, but tighten your seatbelts that and don’t let go easy :)<br />
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Thank you for all your patience. I know I have been MIA but please keep writing me e-mails at rdelgado@tbiwarrior.com and I will be honest and answer all of your questions, after all we are all in similar boats, similar storms so let’s share the strategy to keep floating and stay alive. Until the next time, make sure you take care of yourself while you care for your loved one, take one day at a time and do not let negative thoughts come to your mind. Know that I am here of you need me and together WE WILL THRIVE. God Bless!TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-34356029751052122282012-01-10T22:34:00.001-06:002012-01-10T22:34:54.612-06:00New Year, New Beginnings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6wtYNSIrW9a-g8kPMhNtEZCvF09fPWohgcu5AzZhO00MbT1mtrfUd7oIWPRhHFHakzgb6Jfjs6Gtjn_pO1iwH7LJpuaG0MTBntHMDWX5p5ndeIH51VE53CGpeQirYTItUmn4P7zehUb2/s1600/happy+new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6wtYNSIrW9a-g8kPMhNtEZCvF09fPWohgcu5AzZhO00MbT1mtrfUd7oIWPRhHFHakzgb6Jfjs6Gtjn_pO1iwH7LJpuaG0MTBntHMDWX5p5ndeIH51VE53CGpeQirYTItUmn4P7zehUb2/s320/happy+new+year.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Wow! The Holidays are over and I still feel it was yesterday when I put up the christmas tree. This new year I have various goals and I will work toward them one by one. I have goals that can be categorize in personal and professional. The professional goals include the completion of my doctoral dissertation (which I am just starting) and to continue to succeed at work. My personal goals are the ones complicated because this year I have to work toward improving various areas. It has been a little over two year since my husband sustained a TBI. I really need to listen more and not push him to hard. I am always full of life, wanting to do multiple things, go to many places and never rest. Well, that doesn't help my husband, because he needs to go slower. I noticed I did better in the past when the injury was recent, but now two and a half years later I am again like the old me and that is not working. I expressed my feelings in the past about how we caregivers change our mode of being, our life due to our new circumstances. I developed skills in so many areas to be able to help my husband but there are areas that definitely need 911 improvement. I want to work on having more patience with my husband, talk slower, not ask questions back to back and trying to fix everything or do it for him. These are things that can deteriorate the emotional state of the person with TBI. <br />
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Victor and I enjoy having amazing communication between both of us and we have regular conversations about how we feel and share opinions of how to improve. Well, in the last couple of conversations he indicated that I am forgetting he has certain conditions that prevent him from keeping up wih me, and I felt so bad because to some extent I know it is true. Am I forgetting he has TBI, is the compassion period over, am I getting tired???? I reflected on these and realized none of those are the case but believe me I became worried. What happened that now I am faster and in some way he felt I didn't care? Well, I have to admit "mea culpa". Sometimes if he was slow doing something I would just do it to get it done faster, and in no way this is good. I am glad he had the confidence to tell me and didn't buried that in his heart. This is the reason why frequent and constant communication is so important.<br />
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This year will be full of blessings. I have many goals and resolutions, but one thing I am certain is that "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. There is no doubt in my mind that things will always be for the good and not the bad. Throughout the years things have been better and I am confident that this year even better experiences are ahead. <br />
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I wish you a very Happy New Year and full of blessings. Know that you are never alone, that there is always someone that will understand how you feel. If you need a friend that will udnerstand what you are going through, please rest assure that I am here. Feel free to send me e-mails, leave comments or send me a post. Let's share our story, the story of being a caregiver.<br />
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With Love,TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-31967665124583071072011-11-14T16:55:00.000-06:002011-11-14T16:55:50.730-06:00Veterans DayLast Friday we celebrated Veterans Day and soon we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. On Veterans Day I took Victor to dinner and we had a wonderful day. I thanked him for ALL he has done specially all his sacrifices. I feel Victor sacrificed his health for the Freedom of this Great Nation and I love when he tells me, he will do it all over again in a heart bit. Sometimes, things that we take for granted are taken from us. I am glad I never took my husband for granted because I always ppreciated all he was and now all he is.<br />
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Veterans day for me it is everyday. The appreciation I have for all their sacrifice is always there. I am grateful for a Nation that values and recognizes their veterans. We, the spouses of military play a vital role in their performance and their well being. We, the spouses are what I call the backbone of the family, because we keep it all together while they are gone; so I am also thankful for all those military spouses that chose the sacrifice of living a life different than others. <br />
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Reflecting in last week's celebration I was reassured in how blessed Victor and I are. We are still together when he could have died, he walks, he talks, he sees and well, we have a long list of blessings that we enjoy every day. Sometimes I see how people are ready to be completely devastated because of unexpected circumstances in their lives. I chose to look the other way and started counting all the great things that I still have. My husband has his days, some better than others. The bad days he can be blunt and don't even notice or he makes bad judgements or he cannot make simple decisions. Those days are becoming more uncommon each year and it is getting better.<br />
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I am THANKFUL because the day my husband was wounded he wasn't KIA, that despite his brain injury he is full of hope and keeps improving every day. Victor may not be the same person he was but he is a wonderful new version ;) If you reflect in your life, there are always things to be thankful for. I am thankful you are reading this blog and it is my hope that if you are in my shoes that you don't feel lonely and if you are not in my shoes then even better :) I want to share my experiences because some caregivers feel they are alone when in reality they are not.<br />
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In this blog I always try to bring some positive spin to all life circumstances. There are days that are better than others and there are days that the smile is wider than others but one thing is for sure; "keep smiling because situations should not define our state of being but our state of being defines how we will overcome those<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhDIOTIeyYRppSFMEjt35Am3F4IGra-3ZfSlLclwOjA0tLEwxbTC_g3L5wRqES8fxuJg0lVbU8NnJvo-sWZXIIfJNHoQQunebtHPdF1OZ8WLvf3the8DZmUX0sjFOuFWL06V-bpA39wJ5/s1600/stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="187" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhDIOTIeyYRppSFMEjt35Am3F4IGra-3ZfSlLclwOjA0tLEwxbTC_g3L5wRqES8fxuJg0lVbU8NnJvo-sWZXIIfJNHoQQunebtHPdF1OZ8WLvf3the8DZmUX0sjFOuFWL06V-bpA39wJ5/s320/stream.jpg" /></a></div><br />
situations".TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-72004888330510629172011-10-02T20:52:00.004-05:002011-11-14T17:08:00.780-06:00TBI AdvocateHi Friends,<br />
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I apologize, it has been too long since I updated the blog. Many great things happening in our lives. In the past months Victor and I have been involved more than any other time with higher leadership in the military talking about our experiences as a wounded family. We were invited by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, GEN Chiarelli to speak at a symposium he and his staff coordinated. Who would have thought that Victor and I will have the opportunity to speak with the Vice? When we met GEN Chiarelli and having the opportunity to talk with him, I realized how much of an advocate for brain injuries he is. He is committed and changing the policy in the army in how TBIs are diagnosed and treated. GEN Chiarelli is definitely working hard on these initiatives and he definitely needs the support of policy makers and others in the military. <br />
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Two years and 3 months ago when Victor was wounded I never thought our lives were going to change forever in this way. We have become advocates of TBI to create awareness among policy makers, military leadership, the patients and the families. Despite the difficulty of maintaining this lifestyle we do it because we are visionaries of a better tomorrow. My dream is that one day, all the patients with TBI, military or civilians, can receive care without hardly inquiring, that families with a member with TBI will be able and learn how to manage in a way that there will be happiness and that those with TBI be empowered and strong enough to raise their voices unanimously. I know one day things will be better than today and I know that together we can make huge differences in the lives of others.<br />
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Loving is caring enough to act accordingly for the health of our loved ones.<br />
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With Love,TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-49268386283785241432011-07-23T19:07:00.003-05:002011-07-23T20:07:17.459-05:00Traumatic Brain Injury and Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH18bO6WR5BE4j6rWU4MQWfA5fLo7JztiCt9keHUDv-WsRbN6RKcA7-80HD5zceFLuJUI6Iwdqy8J4rp6Hz_HgLW1JB-W3DzbRMcNceneq4YKJ5weZKIVbBBzcyqpe1b7PmQXOq22PR9YR/s1600/flower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH18bO6WR5BE4j6rWU4MQWfA5fLo7JztiCt9keHUDv-WsRbN6RKcA7-80HD5zceFLuJUI6Iwdqy8J4rp6Hz_HgLW1JB-W3DzbRMcNceneq4YKJ5weZKIVbBBzcyqpe1b7PmQXOq22PR9YR/s320/flower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632719070809733618" /></a><br />In the past couple of weeks I have been ask several times, How am I doing and how I keep up with so much? I honestly don't know how to answer that question but yes my life is pretty busy. I tried to maintain a good spirit, always a smile in my face and rather look for positive things in my life. It saddens me so much when I see spouses that are in the first stages of having a loved one with traumatic brain injury (TBI). I tried to support them and go back in time and place myself in their shoes but it is never easy to say "It will get better". "It will get better" is a phrase that Victor always told me and at times in a tone like he wanted to convinced me about it. At times I was so frustrated that I said to myself, "yes it will get better for him but what about me?" How did I find happiness in the midst of all the situation? Now 2 years later I look back and I can say things are definitely better. Today Victor and I have found new hobbies, we bond incredibly working hard to be advocates of TBI and we are very strong. In fact some people say that together we are dynamite. We are looking forward to our future.<br /><br />I would like to see couples thriving in their relationships after a TBI. The reality is that there is so little help and so much burden that I have to yet find somebody that tells me "Oh yes it was so easy and smooth to get care for my wounded warrior". Unfortunately the spouses of Wounded Warriors with TBI need to serve as case managers and that takes too much from our life, it is very time and energy consuming. I just learned a friend got divorced and that really made me feel sad, not because I think people shouldn't get divorced but I knew how much they loved each other. There are situations that requires a separation but it is never a pleasant news. <br /><br />I always encourage spouses to read and learn about TBI so the symptoms and situations don't become a surprise factor. When Victor left me once in the grocery store and forgot about me I didn't get mad because I knew it was part of his condition. Or when he asked me the same question 10 times in 1 minute I never got mad because I understood, NOTHING was a surprise for me, luckily ;)<br /><br />For more information about TBI I always visited www.brainline.org, it is a great resource. Most of the time it is easier for the person with TBI to watch a video so Victor and I watched several videos including this one at http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=9izH26JzmIo. Dr. James Kelly is the Director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). This is the Center where Victor and I went for almost 3 weeks in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Kelly is Victor's TBI hero because Victor learned most of his injury through Dr. Kelly's videos. Now after meeting him, he is not only a very knowledgeable doctor but he is compassionate and humble. Needless to say that the whole staff at the NICoE were fantastic and we commend them for their hard work.<br /><br />TBI and What Military Families Need to Know:<br />http://www.brainlinemilitary.org/content/2011/05/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi-what-military-families-need-to-know.htmlTBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-46480175249763824712011-06-03T10:15:00.005-05:002011-06-03T10:43:17.359-05:00Perseverance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKzHnc99OASLPgJkYbDdy3RcaDXYAHazETlGGtWKQAYDLBW71nMIJOy-3wS7I-DreLRXSkKXOPgq6LQSHyDofrJG5bhTqC28p3kHH3AjRnEnbc5n4xwsj7xYaPVkwBdi-UCNbyhjwkoyz/s1600/Perseverance-Glory1-300x200.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKzHnc99OASLPgJkYbDdy3RcaDXYAHazETlGGtWKQAYDLBW71nMIJOy-3wS7I-DreLRXSkKXOPgq6LQSHyDofrJG5bhTqC28p3kHH3AjRnEnbc5n4xwsj7xYaPVkwBdi-UCNbyhjwkoyz/s320/Perseverance-Glory1-300x200.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614018428890498914" /></a><br />It has been quite some time since I last wrote to you. It has been a very busy and hectic past months. Victor and I are working on some projects that will change the policy for the treatment of TBI. In the past couple of years we had our ups and downs and our life changed drastically, but we are perseverant, we do not give up easily. <br /><br />Victor and I just celebrated our 11th Anniversary and we went to our favorite spot on Earth, Disney World. We celebrated our Honeymoon as well as every anniversary Victor was home in Disney. It was a time of reflection and fun at the same time. We enjoyed so much, just like the old times. We realized that this new normal did not stop nor affected how we will share and how we were going to enjoy our life. We always had great conversations and we still have them, just about different topics. <br /><br />We now strive to make a better world for those with traumatic brain injury and their families, but since we cannot talk to each person and family with TBI, we decided to have blogs, also we decided to continue advocating in Congress for the implementation of new policy. It is a slow process but PERSEVERANCE is the action that better describes successful accomplishments. <br /><br />As a caregiver it is not just about taking care of your loved one but how can you take care of yourself through that relationship? Is is obvious that this does not apply for every injury and severity. Look for things that make you happy as an individual and as a couple. Do not feel guilty for taking care of yourself and please try to appreciate your surroundings in the midst of tragedy. Look in the garden and if you see a flower, feel that God made it for you to brighten your day. If all you see are cactuses like here in the desert of El Paso then think that they hold great amount of water to survive the harsh environment, so how we see things depends on us and not determined by our circumstances. <br /><br />Like Ralph WaldoEmerson said: <em>" Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail"</em><br /><br />Have a beautiful and joyful weekend.<br /><br />Hugs!<br /><br />RoxanaTBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-21408871487703405572011-04-20T23:02:00.004-05:002011-04-20T23:21:44.328-05:00Oil Spill Families<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcXyfL37eeKVjcnkEV_zimN8kDeySGaXjDZpqc1oTIX3cpjE1wePRzVS_hYTj2iKWyTvh7Hhad6sTkkNs7nAgrtlxcHcg1oJ19XoyPp7_UdcGN9Db7QH6ceF15BGZhyphenhyphena39H1_wiafszvL/s1600/flower.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcXyfL37eeKVjcnkEV_zimN8kDeySGaXjDZpqc1oTIX3cpjE1wePRzVS_hYTj2iKWyTvh7Hhad6sTkkNs7nAgrtlxcHcg1oJ19XoyPp7_UdcGN9Db7QH6ceF15BGZhyphenhyphena39H1_wiafszvL/s320/flower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597887266906956178" /></a><br />Today my sister sent me a link with the interview Anderson Cooper made to the families that survived the Oil Spill. I identified so much with these wives. Once thing I heard many times is "This is not the same man I married, he is different". I felt they heard me talk in the past but it is just that we all go through the same experience. God knows how many times I have said to myself "Where is my husband?", how some days I miss so much my old Victor. I fear many times forgetting how he was, his voice, his gestures, the way he laughted... At the same time it feels selfish because he is here and so many Soldiers have lost their life or are severely disabled, but I feel I also lost my husband and it feels wrong.<br /><br />Despite all these feelings I do not regret living the life I have now, because I have been meeting an making new wonderful friends. It is a new world of experiences and anecdotes. Now I can see the power of love and the power of a marriage based in true friendship. My heart goes to these oil spill spouses because they may not have a support system of spouses that are experiencing the same events in life. I would like all the military spouses of Wounded Warriors to embrace this spouses as they are part of our team, one that doesn not look at military branches nor ranks, but one that accepts and supports all those who have survived tragedy. <br /><br />My husband and I are committed to advocate for those with Traumatic Brain Injury, military or not. We have met some of the most wonderful TBI survivors in the community and we see their struggles and pain. This is the historic time to come together. <br /><br />To watch the video go to: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/20/rig.survivors.wives/?hpt=T2TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-35417483465322860792011-04-04T22:10:00.003-05:002011-04-04T22:24:12.229-05:00National Intrepid Center of Excellence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GTydFWPQ4BnoggvqanQLg9H0R5wjakwFCyosSrmgpUURElJHdIDFAo6ZZDV5H9JdU7CJMpTxE_unsbQHye7qdhJ2-iHYm93X-OakQVM_8oa8F34F9nBb1CwDLcqOwE475O4s3_Wz4gKz/s1600/sunshine.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GTydFWPQ4BnoggvqanQLg9H0R5wjakwFCyosSrmgpUURElJHdIDFAo6ZZDV5H9JdU7CJMpTxE_unsbQHye7qdhJ2-iHYm93X-OakQVM_8oa8F34F9nBb1CwDLcqOwE475O4s3_Wz4gKz/s320/sunshine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591935068090021362" /></a><br />In the past two weeks my husband and I have been in Bethesda MD at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE). My husband was referred for further evaluation for his traumatic brain injury (TBI). It has been an amazing experience that I will be writing about in my next posts. I wanted to stop by and let everyone know that we are doing great, we are enjoying of some EXCELLENT treatment and we will share our amazing experience.<br /><br />This is a time that has been bringing Hope to us. Please continue to raise your voice and never give up because every day it is a new one, so are you ready to see the Sun shine one more time?<br /><br />With Love!TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-8621113684323521842011-03-04T14:03:00.004-06:002011-03-25T08:12:35.274-05:00Dedicated to a TBI WarriorToday I rejoice in so many blessings in my life. On June 29, 2009 my life turned 180degrees and redirected my path to a new direction, one that I never expected to live. My husband sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and what happened afterwards is a long story. At first it was like having my heart ripped apart and I asked myself "Who is this new man I am sharing my life with?"<br /><br />As life started to take a new meaning and new direction, it was like been in the center of a tornado, many thoughts, frustration, sadness, sorrow and dissapointments in many areas revolving around us. I remembered seeing my husband so sad, frustrated and feeling worthless. He would say to me "Now, what I am going to do? I am no longer good at anything". My heart would again just break but I wanted him to feel empowered and started asking him, What skills are intact and what would you like to do? Victor and I have a strong and beautiful support system. One of our great supporters who I work for, a very smart and wise man said "tell Victor to start a blog about his healing journey, tell him to start narrating his story". At firts my husband lack of initiative and din't do but months later, one day he woke up with the enthusiasm to tell his story. Since them the healing journey has been one full of victories because we take one day at a time and we shape our lives based on the blessings more than what we lack. Today I want to say, I am so proud of my husband Victor because he is a true Warrior, one that is conquering his health issues and is thriving, always keeping in mind his ultimate goal, reaching others and help those who struggle with his same condition.<br /><br />Read his latest posting in Military Health System: http://www.health.mil/blog/11-03-17/TBI_Wounded_Warrior_Offers_Healing_Tips.aspxTBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-78186740965805633652011-03-01T20:29:00.007-06:002011-03-01T21:02:43.962-06:00Medical Evaluation Process- Part I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw_zz6cQQaznd37chPeIHCpTUVhqTcGmqU9bgiUEWBticl-8As7GIobpcYB0wU6-LuP5Jbka_iyVgrj521GigmJph5NrhmqLDK0pEwk3YaseefzCzQIBorgVbGrhNHSifAmD65bFfNvfV/s1600/paperwork.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw_zz6cQQaznd37chPeIHCpTUVhqTcGmqU9bgiUEWBticl-8As7GIobpcYB0wU6-LuP5Jbka_iyVgrj521GigmJph5NrhmqLDK0pEwk3YaseefzCzQIBorgVbGrhNHSifAmD65bFfNvfV/s320/paperwork.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579310708211443922" /></a><br />It has been a while since I last wrote. My life is just so busy that sometimes is difficult to keep up with everything. I have no excuses, I should not abandon my blog :) right? The intention of this Part I is to decsribe the first phase of the Medical Board. The first phase is done at the medical facility where the Soldier is stationed and receives the medical care. In couple of months I will also write about how to review the packet, who you should involve and what are the potential events that you may encounter.<br /><br />My husband is going through a medboard (military medical retirement) and even when things are smoothly coming along, it is hectic with medical appointments and tracking all the things that comes with it. We mainatin ALL the documentation, make copies, ask for copies and oh well, it is so much documentation. There are always obstacles on the road but fortunately, for now, things are going well.<br /><br />Like I mentioned before, the medboard process is a separation so like any sudden, unexpected rupture I feel sadness and at some point I feel I am grieving. Every time I see my husband wearing his uniform I ask myself, when would be that last day I will see him dress like that. It may sound dumb but that is exactly how I feel. On the other hand there are so many great things happening in our lives, especially my husband's future. He has been able to conquer that big giant called frustration and he has made a beautiful piece of art. I still remember the days he would talk because he was ashamed he was a stuttered but now nothing stops him and talks with everybody, without shame. <br /><br />During the medboard process there are some situations that I have seen family members encountered. I have seen many things but I want Soldiers and their caregivers to know their rights:<br /><br />1. When the medboard starts, the medical care should not be discontinued. You can request the care to continue.<br /><br />2. If there is any doubt of documentation for a medical condition, the patient <strong>CAN </strong>request a medical evaluation. During this medical appointment, make sure that you address your concerns. I always encourage caregivers to go with the service member, it is easier because sometimes with TBI the patient does not find the correct words and coordination to transmit the message.<br /><br />3. Go to the following link http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r40_501.pdf to see which conditions your oved one is eligible to be evaluated for a medboard.<br /><br />4. <strong>DO NOT </strong>think that you will not be listened. I maintain good communication my husband's medboard officers and personnel. They are accessible, easy to communicate with. With a good dialogue of the concerns and the understanding that you as a caregiver want to be involve, the process should not be a troubled one.<br /><br />The medboard is a process that can be tedious but it is the only chance you have to help your loved one receive what they deserve for their injuries. It is a one time event and the outcome will will impact your service member's life forever in many areas. It can be a hectic, boring and energy consuming but I always try to approach situations with a positive attitude and I tell myself "I may be sacrificing time and energy, but my husband sacrificed so much more". <br /><br />Anyway for me it is a pleasure because of the deep love I feel for my husband Victor, my TBI Warrior.TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-81021979531532888132011-01-20T01:13:00.004-06:002011-01-20T01:37:21.320-06:00Water TherapyInjuries caused by Improvise explosive devices (IED) are not only external but also internal. Other than the brain injury my husband developed it is like fibromyalgia and he is always hurting. His joints hurt, all of them. We went to the Rheumatologist who referred my husband to physical therapy specialized in musculoskeletal pain. We went today and there is no more satisfaction that encountering a provider that cares and listens. Well, after all the discussion of what has been done for my husband's condition he recommended water therapy. Water therapy will be in a pool that contains underwater tread mills so he has to walk for 45 minutes twice a week. The best part is that I will be able to be with him during the therapy, so we will be going for a "walk in the water". We will chat and exercise together at the same time, just like the old days. I will let you know in a later posting how it goes.<br /><br />For morebinfomation go to: http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/water-therapy-exercise-programTBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-86317223087995443712011-01-12T22:51:00.008-06:002011-01-12T23:39:16.181-06:00TBI in DisguiseDear Caregivers,<br /><br />Has your spouse being diagnosed with TBI? If so, does your spouse suffers from PTSD? How do you know what is what? This could hold the clue and key to treatment and will determine the healing process. Is TBI treatable? the answer is YES, Is PTSD treatable? the answer is YES, is the treatment the same? Most of the time NO. Why? Because some impairments are due to the brain capacity to perfomed optimally.<br /><br />My husband has brain injury as the result of an explosion and Iraq. Often providers attribute all the symptoms in soldiers to PTSD when in fact they can be the result of the TBI and yes TBI and PTSD ARE NOT THE SAME. PTSD and TBI share some characteristics but ARE NOT the same. Don't be shy and ask questions to providers, this is your right as a patient or a spouse or family caring for a TBI patient. So the big question is "Why are we treating TBI as PTSD?" The answer can be described with a very sophisticated financial calculation. My husband is getting neuro rehabilitation treatment and a pre and post neuropsychological test demosntrated that he had gains because of therapy. We are witnesses that therapy works.<br /><br />I am not a medical doctor so I will not state or say things that required that degree but I am a clinical researcher and looked at the scientific literature extensively. If your loved one has TBI help them to get the care they need, it will be worthwhile the effort. Learn about TBI and PTSD and you will see you may be able to recognize and differentiate between both. <br /><br />For example, <br /><br /><strong>Auditory Processing Disorder:</strong><br />My husband could not stand noises and was very difficult to udnerstand. This could be easily attributed to PTSD, but it is in fact "Auditory processing Disorder (APD)" APD involves deficits in the neurobiological activity underlying perceptual (i.e., neural) processing of auditory stimuli ((http://www.asha.org/Publications/leader/2009/091124/CAPD.htm)<br /><br /><strong>Visual Midline Shift Syndrome (VMSS):</strong><br /><br />He has balance issues and concentration issues and the optometrist found that he has "Visual Midline Shift Syndrome" which means that the ambient visual process changes its orientation with regard to the midline of vision (http://www.minnesotavisiontherapy.com/visual_shift_syndrome.aspx)<br /><br /><strong>Testosterone Deficiency or Hypogonadism</strong><br />Low testosterone, or testosterone deficiency (TD), may result from disease or damage to the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or testicles that inhibits hormone secretion and testosterone production. (http://www.urologychannel.com/)<br /><br /><br />These examples are some of the symptoms and secondary conditions as the result of TBI. Technology is advanced and for each of these conditions fortunately there are devices available to correct the problem. For the VMSS my husband was given special eye glasses with prism technology and the prescription is designed to correct the position of the objects. For the APD my husband was given a hearing aid specialized to filter noises so this will help with the way he processes all the information. The testosterone levels increase with medication so his strenght incremented by 40 lbs withing 3 weeks and his mood changed significantly.<br /><br />I am writing this posting because I want all the caregivers to look dipper into new technology for their loved ones and do not attribute all the conditions and symptoms just to PTSD. There are ways to compensate for some impairments and fortunately these devices are available to the military at no cost. I am not sure VA has these types of things but ask and seek more information.<br /><br />Hope this helps in some way.<br /><br />Hugs!TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-64138512595039429282011-01-10T21:10:00.004-06:002011-01-10T23:45:44.993-06:00Medical Retirement, Really? Who saw it coming?Dear Friends,<br /><br />It has been one and a half years since my husband sustained a traumatic brain injury. After so many fruitful efforts my husband will be undergoing a medical retirement from the Army. At first I was so worried because my husband did not want to retired but the reality is that most of his impairments will stay with him in some way or another so he will never be fit to return to duty. It will be a difficult transition not only because of what the process entails but for me it will feel like a separation, a divorce from the army. This may sound strange or maybe dumb but I am honest in what I feel. For me it feels like another loss, another grief, another reason that makes me sad and wonder...<br /><br />In the army I met wonderful friends, those to whom I shared so much. When the soldiers deployed, we the spouses were more united than ever, we had Friday nights dinner, Saturday care packages preparation and we always had something to do. It was a family, one that carries the same burdens, worries and joys. Being a military wife can be very rewarding, so I will miss that. My friends will remain friends but one day their duty will take them somewhere else.<br /><br />Well going back to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), a process that takes days for some, months for others like my husband. The first appointment is conducted by the doctor in charge of the medical care and this doctor will review the list of conditions. I was overwhelmed seeing that before my husband had null, zero, nada conditions and now his list is longer than a 4 year old list to Santa Claus. Yes it saddens me but at the same time looking at the positive side I am so blessed to have him with me.<br /><br />I encourage all spouses of soldiers that are starting or undergoing the MEB to be next to them, go to their appointments (of course if he/she wants to) and be very aware and knowlegeable about the process because whatever happens will affect your future.<br /><br />For now we just had the first visit and the development of the list of conditions. The next appointment the 27th will be a more thorough review.<br /><br />Much love and hugs!TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-69280665521441897232011-01-09T19:13:00.003-06:002011-01-09T19:58:29.653-06:00New Year, New Goals and Hope!!!Happy New Year to all my friends. The beginning of a new year is most of the time the beginning of new goals that we expect to fulfill. It is common to set goals based on lived experiences so this year one of my goals is to never give up hope. Hope is the key ingredient to expect what your heart desires. My hope is that I can have happinnes, love, patience, wisdom and all those characteristics that will help me succeed in whatever should come to my life. <br /> <br />When I think of the year 2010 it makes me wonder where did it go, it went so fast, it was so hectic, so accelerated that I barely had time to enjoy myself like I used to. This year I will try to do meaningful things that will deliver postive outcomes and that will make me happy. Things that will be new experiences during this year will be my husband’s medical retirement. I know many unexpected situations and new adjustments will come with this new change in our lives.<br /> <br />This first quarter of the year I want to write about the medical retirement process. I believe this will help other spouses that will soon be going through this phase of military life. I will also write about brain injury from a personal point of view as a caregiver. I will start school next week and I am advancing in my doctoral degree which is great. As part of my pre-dissertation I will conduct a pilot study also in soldiers with brain injury and their perspective from their own lived experiences. Also I was asked to start a blog in spanish (my native language) so this is another thing I would like to do.<br /><br />There are many goals I want to accomplish this year but the most important is to take care of myself, never forgetting what really matters, family and friends.Please feel free to suggest anything you would like for me to write, ask questions, I am very open and will be honest with my answers. After all this blog is to help others know that they are not alone and that lived experiences are meant to be shared TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-37533652876768069262010-12-28T23:26:00.006-06:002010-12-29T00:10:29.817-06:00Holidays!Christmastime is usually a very happy and joyful season to many. I remembered 2004 was my first Christmas by myself and I didn't have any other wishes than having my husband back home, by then he was in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The other night I was thinking about the spouses of deployed soldiers and how they are spending their Holidays and the spouses of wounded soldiers spending days and nights in a hospital next to the bed of their loved ones. "I'm blessed" is the phrase that comes to mind everyday, my situation can be much worst and it isn't.<br /><br />My husband has a brain injury and during this time of rush and celebration I tend to forget he cannot do things the way he used to. After a brain injury it is all about using strategies and modifying life pace and habits. This second Christmastime after his brain injury I knew that I had to plan ahead, buy most of the things online and take it slower than in the past. If we had an activity at night that means my husband needs to rest during the day so he doesn't suffer a "short circuit" as we called it. After many hours of activities my husband tells me he literally feels the brain exhaustion and he feels he suffers a "short circuit". We say it so normally that sometimes I forget that is not a real term for a human so the other day I told him while at the store, "honey let's go before you suffer a short circuit" and there was a guy standing there, looking at me like, what did you say? Oops.<br /><br />I took two weeks off from work and since I finished this semester of school I'm just relaxing and spending quality time with my husband, that is one of the reasons I haven't been writing. I surely missed the old days and all the things we used to do but again, do I regret it? NO, I'm happy living this new normal, it is just a matter of accepting and moving on, creating new memories for the future ahead. What I like the most about the Holidays is the family time, the good memories from the past, the great food ;) and the reappearance of old friends. I love receiving cards and this year I received many, so thank you to all of you who took the time to send a card with all your love.I didn't know there was a huge brain injury community out there and most of all I didn't know they were so united, they have poured their love to us.<br /><br />What can I say, life can bring unexpected circumstances when you thought you had all planned but move on because this year will not come back. I tried to make the best out of it so it could be engrave in my memories as one that although challenging was full of love and blessings, that is all that matters.TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248231503187864571.post-58650284108432110452010-12-02T23:39:00.003-06:002010-12-03T00:10:32.604-06:00I am Thankful for....Last week we celebrated "Thanksgiving Day". While many people were navigating the stores to find sales we were having a wonderful time in Atlanta. We went to Atlanta for the wedding of Erika Porter, my husband's best friend and his Platoon Leader while in Iraq. She was in the same mission when my husband was wounded. She is a wonderful friend and we enjoyed every minute of the Thanksgiving and wedding day. We met her wonderful family to include all the generations, from grandchildren to great-granparents. They are all from Atlanta and they all welcomed us as part of their family.<br /><br />My husband and I also met two wonderful professionals and human beings, committed to help others, especially those with traumatic brain injury. I cannot compete with my husband's eloquent description of Dr. Rachel Lacy and Tracy Quantum so please go to www.tbiwarriors.blogspot.com and read it for yourself. My husband became in contact with them but not in a ordinary way, it was special and even more special was our encounter and all that we shared.<br /><br />There are so many things that I have to be thankful for and as I meditated last week about all the marvelous blessing I have in my life, I could not stop thanking enough for having my husband with me. I sometimes adventure in thinking how life would be without my loving husband, he is my best friend and it made me realized how precious is to have him here. I am so bless to have my husband here with me, no matter the circumstances, he is alive and there is so much we have to be thankful for. Seeing my husband advance and improve has been a great experience, we walk the healing journey together and it is so rewarding. At first was difficult to adjust and comprehend a better way to make sense of everything, but now it is like a train that found the right tracks. Now things seem to be less painful. My husband motivation and enthusiasm to chage how the world sees TBI is his energy and passion. His new mission in life is providing new meaning, new sense, new direction and a new life, like he says "This is my new beginning".<br /><br />I am thankful for all my friends, supporters and for wonderful parents and sister. Everyday I receive words of encouragement and love. Everyday I learn somebody else is praying for us and everyday I listen to the new tune of music in my heart that says "Roxana everything will be fine, everything is just how it needs to be to fulfill a purpose". I believe that in life nothing happens by chance, but that everything has a purpose and it is not what the circumstances brings to your life, but what you make out of it.<br /><br />Finally but in no way less important, I am thankful because my spiritual faith in God have been my strength and because of that I am still standing firm and haven't fall, it is one of the greatest blessing of my life, God's Love and Grace!TBI Army Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16513126343044072932noreply@blogger.com1