It’s that time of year when we begin to think about people and things we are grateful to have in our lives.

This year, I am exceptionally thankful for many things, mostly that I am still able to walk and talk and write this column. Almost a year ago, I had a really bad fall in the middle of the night and bounced my head several times against the side of a solid cherry dresser.  It was quite a shock. At first, I thought I had broken my shoulder, then my legs would not work and finally came the headache. My husband had to help me up, and after a few minutes, I realized that other than a few bumps, bruises and muscle strains, I was still in one piece. So I took something for my headache and went back to bed.  (Of course, had that been my daughter or someone else, I would have known not to let her sleep nor have medication.)

The next week is a blur. There were a number of social functions that we had agreed to attend. I would rest in the afternoon, then put on my party self and go out.  On about the eighth day a very observant friend took me aside, looked me in the eyes and asked what was wrong.  I guess my speech pattern, my gait and my eyes did not look right. The next day, my acupuncturist, Lance Allen, said basically the same and noted a few more abnormalities.  When he said he would not work on me until I had a CAT scan, that got my attention.

My family doctor arranged for the scan and a referral to a neurologist, who tested my mind and arranged for an MRI.  Everything was more or less normal.  I had post-concussive syndrome. Only rest and no stress would help my brain heal, and it could take up to a year. I immediately went to the Mayo Clinic web site for more information on this syndrome, and sure enough, I had all but one of the symptoms. They gave the same recommendation of rest and no stress.

There were many days when I felt that someone had pumped cotton candy into my brain, but there were other days when I felt clear-headed. Memory has been a problem, and I think there is a good chance that some things may not return.

A few months later, I did win a game of Trivial Pursuit against my thirty-something nephew, who is very good at the game.  That gave me great hope, even if he might have let me win.

A strange side effect was difficulty working with numbers in any sort of line or grid arrangement. I could tell a bridge score, but I could not write the information in the right places. Tax time was a nightmare, and I had to stop my usual task of getting the yearly information organized for my husband.

I felt somewhat encouraged when I read of hockey and football players having post-concussive syndrome. I was not glad they had it, but I was relieved to know it was a real thing.  After another fall and real bang on my head from hitting an open cupboard door, Dr. Solomon suggested that maybe I needed a helmet.  There is an old hockey helmet in the garage if I need it.

I am doing much better and can now recognize the signs of fogginess coming and immediately stop what I am doing.  I think there will be some permanent glitches, but compared to what head injuries do to lots of folks, I am grateful.

The one thing that seemed to remain intact was being able to write. Our editor, Carrie Frye, and her assistant, Jessica Bricker were wonderful to me, and for that I am grateful. Lance Allen and Dr. Bruce Solomon were caring and careful, and for that I am grateful. Friends and family, particularly my husband and daughter, were patient and understanding and just let me heal. For that, I am over-the-top grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

E-mail Robson at info@outreachnc.com.