My fourteen year old daughter, identical twin , is a first year student at a wonderful boarding school about an hour from our home. About 12 days ago, her sister had a hurt knee and she was at alpine ski practice alone, caught her ski in a slalom gate, and did a face plant. Although she was wearing a helmet and did not pass out, she apparently has a fairly severe concussion and the symptoms of headache and lack of concentration have not yet subsided. I've taken her to a head-trauma specialist, and she's had an IMPACT test and a CAT scan, which was normal. So at this point all there is to do is rest as much as possible, and get lots of extra time on her school work. I am trying to urge lots of rest from a telephone distance, but as you might imagine I don't seem to be overly successful. And I must confess I am concerned about long-term results. Any moms want to share their experience?
Thanks to EVERYONE for your thoughts. There isn't an "end" to the story yet; my daughter has been healing, slowly, and is by no means back to normal but is able to be in her classes and keeping up, at least to some extent. Takes a nap every day. Her twin sister has been more vigilant in ensuring her rest since I wrote the note. I seem to be able to tell how much or if she has a headache from the quality of her voice on the phone, and I talk with her frequently.
It was especially good to hear from those of you who have experienced concussion. I have not, myself, but I realize from your descriptions and from what the doctor has said that each case truly is unique. Some are almost like nothing, and some can be life-changing. I think that our situation is probably one that she will remember as significant in later years but hopefully will have no lasting effects - except, I hope, to take special care in putting on whatever helmets her sport requires!
It's always a little scary to have our "little" ones far away from us, but it happens sooner or later and so we do our best! Thanks again,
C.
All I can say is that the same thing happened to me when I was 18 and I'm fine. I also went to boarding school and I know that they were vigilant of me. I would talk to the school/dorm parent/dean or whatever and have them remind her to rest... that's all. I have no medical advice but as far as I know I'm fine. I'm 31 with two small kids.
I am not really familar with what control there is at a private school, but is there any chance of people in charge there doing what they can to make her slow down?? You probably have already done everything you can to get that done.
Also, does she come home on weekends? Can you have her come home so you can have time to keep an eye on her until things are better?
I experienced head trauma from a fall from a horse. It took about 8 months to be on the road to recovery. It was necessary
to take time off from work. Although I would have argued this at the time, rest and a lot of sleep will serve her well. The interesting thing is that she may not know how bad she is. I didn't until I started to recover.
It might be too much to expect any school work at this time.
I don't know if it's possible for you to bring her home so that you can evaluate her from close range. But, I think that is what I'd do.
Also, I know and excellent Brain Injury Coach. Happy to Share
Marilyn Bonnett ____@____.com 1-###-###-####
Tell her D. sent you
Do me a favor and just be careful that she didn't receive a mild traumatic brain injury which can be caused by even a mild concussion. I myself have one and it came from hitting my head - I did not pass out and I thought everything was fine - until I began having short-term memory problems, unexplained pain that went every where and sleep problems. You can have what is called a "brain map" to tell if you have one of these. This is more common than many people know and at a minimum I would look it up and do some research on it.
God Bless!
I think your doing all you can do right now,
You can't "punish her for an accident"
And you can't PUSH her, she is injurred
Just give her time, and she will heal
M
Perhaps you can request that the neurologist or head-trauma specialist make contact with her about long-term results. Kids aren't going to listen to us (parents) necessarily. Alittle fear, or reality check isn't a bad idea! Good luck!!
summit medical group has a wonderful ob/gyn named Laura Zimmerman. She is really lovely and a mom to young ones.
I personally suffered from a head concussion in a car accident about 9 years a go. Even though tests showed I was fine, I never felt the same or as smart as I was before the accident. I remember it coming back slowly-- I was out of work for 2months, sleeping a ton. Then when I went back to work, when I would answer the phone I would have to close my eyes to concentrate on processing what the person was saying. Gradually it got better; it was a truly humbling experience actually as now I don't look down on those who may appear dumb, maybe it's not their fault(?). Anyway, I remember feeling so excited the first time I was able to multi-task again! Now, years later and 3 kids later, I have "mommy-brain" anyway from multitasking all day long--so what's the difference? But to answer your question, knowing what I know now... There definitely are some important interventions that can help. #1 Vitamins, I believe it is a B-complex that should be increased during this time of recovery. #2 Look into a Speech-Language Pathologist, (SLP) perhaps at your daughter's school who can intervene during a short time until she is better. Some SLP's specialize in brain injury. They may be able to help her with reading comprehension, auditory processing, and/or written/expressive language.
Can she come home to get the needed rest? Or maybe you can take time off and go there. Stay at a hotel and rest with her. It would give the 2 of you bonding time
