Chandra Melton
Concussions/Brain Injuries: 1
Cause: Car Accident
Chandra’s Story
It was two days after Christmas here in Indiana and the weather was nice, so we went on a motorcycle ride. It was the fourth time we had been together on the bike and our ride ended with a pickup truck pulling out in front of us and hitting him. My friend broke many bones, and I obtained a mTBI with a pelvic fracture. I’ve now got two giant screws holding my pelvis together. I believe because we wore helmets we’re both still here.
I don’t remember the actual accident or even a couple weeks afterwards. But I’ve had multiple people tell me stories or things I did or how I was when they found out. My I.D. wasn’t found right away so I was Jane Doe at first. My friends and family had heard about the accident because my friend was also involved and luckily someone was able to state that I was with him.
At first I didn’t feel any symptoms really, I just wasn’t doing much at all. But as I went back to my dental hygiene job I started feeling a daily dizziness around noon. It’s continued through most of my workdays and anytime I am not at home. It’s hard to call it dizziness because the description I give is more like floating.
I had thought I’d be fully recovered over a year ago when I had planned a trip out to Colorado. It’s been pretty upsetting and I’d get very emotional around the fact that I’m still dealing with this daily. People tell me how far I’ve come and how amazing I’m doing, and I appreciate those words and continue to be hopeful that I won’t have this any longer.
I’ve done visual exercises since last August. I go to weekly neurofeedback sessions. I don’t know if they’re helping but I’m going to keep it up. I used to get acupuncture and I’ve done craniosacral therapy. I started out with physical therapy but that ended within a month of being released from the hospital.
My advice is to look out for what you think will work for you and stick with it for awhile, even if you’re not feeling much different. I took a break from everything, and I felt my dizziness reoccurring more often than before. Stay positive that things will heal!
Note from Chandra:
I’m open to anyones suggestions of anything they’ve tried and experienced help with - @chanrm
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