The day that changed my life

[Kent]

On 11/29 I was hanging our Christmas lights on the house. I was almost done with the 2nd story lights when I had to go back down to the garage for more staples. When I went back up to the roof I set the ladder on the 1st story shingles and against the gutter of the 2nd story.

When I reached the top and put my foot on the 2nd story roof the ladder slipped and I went for a ride.
Needless to say the next thing I remember was the impact of my head hitting the driveway. It was a very distinctive sound when my head smacked into the concrete. I could feel my head and each vertebrae compress together until I suddenly lost consciousness.

When I woke up my wife and step daughters were trying to get my legs out of the ladder as they were very tangled in between the rungs. It seemed like minutes after it happened that the paramedics arrived. Time fly's when you're out cold.

The paramedics arrived talked to my wife to find out what happened and then started on me. First thing they did was try to remove my Santa hat. The first tug was unsuccessful as he looked at my wife and said "Is he wearing a helmet under this hat"? She said "yes, he wears a helmet under his Santa hat". The paramedic looked down at me and said "Sir, were you planning to fall off the roof"? My wife explained that I dress up as Santa on my motorcycle http://www.bikerclaus.com and that's the hat and helmet I've worn to hang lights for the past 4 years.
When I got to the hospital they found a hairline fracture on my right leg from where it was tangled in the ladder. They told me I had a severe concussion and I could go home. After being home for 2-3 hours I received a phone call telling me I needed to come back to the hospital because they found a bleed in my cat scan.

I spent about a week in the hospital and 2 months off work and in therapy working on my short term memory and cognitive speech impairments.
Currently I’m back to work in a part time status while I try to get my endurance back. Physically I'm fine but I get very tired or worn out if I walk or talk for too long or brain has to work too hard. Things are starting to get better and my good days are more than my bad.

Sleep has also been an issue. It’s been hard for me to get my old sleep pattern back. When I lay down at night I find it harder to dose off like I could before. I’ve had problems with reoccurring nightmares about the accident with several variations of how it could’ve have ended.
The lack of sleep has probably extended my healing time. It has also attributed to moodiness, short temper and depression.

I’m thinking about joining a local “survivors” support group to discuss things to see if it will help.

The worse part of this whole experience is the “not knowing” if tomorrow will be the day I feel normal again. I keep thinking about how that day could have ended so I’m very thankful for what I have.

[embertin]

Nice information, it's sound instance..

I think some times this kind of instance can change somebody's lifestyle.

[richermartyn]

Hi Kent,
Here David from USA. First of all congratulation for come back your life and your joy with your family.
There is no issue how you have damaged. But it is important that you are very well now.
Thanks Have A Nice Day.

[spirowilliam]

I have read your painful description of your life. I am regret to read about your suffering life and also glad to know for the recovery. Now forget the past and live the life with full of the efficiency and enjoyment.