Happie Heads Michael Jensen

In the summer of 2014, in his last year of college Steve was struck by a cyclist from behind while jogging across a bridge in Charleston, South Carolina. His injuries included: a subdural hematoma, a fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, and of course, a TBI. Upon arriving at the hospital, he was placed in a medically induced coma for several days. He lost his memory for the first few weeks, but slowly began to remember things. Initially, he struggled physically and mentally with the new challenges in his life but has continued to grow through it all. A year ago, Steve began to experience absence seizures, which has been challenging, so we discuss the how he has and is dealing with these. His perspective on everything is refreshing, and I know you will enjoy this conversation.
P.S. He was a midfielder on the US paralympic national team (pretty cool)
Michael  

At the age of 16 in Old Forge, Pennsylvania Jean was in a car accident. She seemed to be recovering well until she began to have generalized seizures a year after her accident. Fortunately, she was able to see a neurologist and try out several anti-seizure medications until her seizures remitted. She was generally symptom free until this February of 2022 (48 years later) she experienced a second TBI when an overhead tent frame collapsed on her head.  This time, the symptoms set in quickly and forcefully and continued until very recently, when she has experienced immense improvement in her symptoms. We discuss all of this and more in the episode.  Enjoy!
Michael

In this episode we have the return of one of our first guests, Leia Tyrrell. Since our first conversation at the end of 2016, Leia has had several more TBI. We discuss the physical and psychological ramifications of these TBI, and many of the broader ideas that many TBI survivors think about on a daily basis. I hope you all enjoy!

One day, while Lydia was playing catch with her nephew she turned around to pick something up, an incoming throw from her nephew struck her in the back of her left ear. Immediately she was completely disoriented, and went into a state of shock. She never would have imagined she just suffered a TBI that would have lasting impacts on her day-to-day life. We discuss her journey navigating her life after a TBI including parenting, working, and carrying on with the hobbies she enjoys.  We also talk about how she advocated for herself, and the cyclical nature of recovering from a TBI.  Enjoy!

In the summer of 2014, Jack was fresh out of high school and getting started on a fast track to become a paramedic firefighter. He was six weeks into the program when he headed toward home for a surprise visit. He was about halfway when he was struck head on by a drunk driver on Mt hood. He was in a five day coma, suffered a shattered face, radius, two amputated fingers on his right hand, lost vision in one eye, and his sense of smell. He was great to chat with. I hope you enjoy!
Check a beautiful video detailing the story of his accident here: https://youtu.be/2y7_yYmy2P8

In January of 2014 Lori had her tonsils removed, a routine surgery for most folks. While recovering at home, she had a severe reaction to the antibiotics and pain medications she was on and was found in her home by her boyfriend unresponsive. She was severely hypoxic and dehydrated, requiring interosseous hydration. At the trauma center in Duluth, MN, she was in a coma for 3 days and the ICU for 10. Miraculously, upon leaving she proved to be able to cook for herself so that hospital let her go home alone. She suffered from many symptoms afterward including an abnormally low desire to be around people, even her closest loved ones. Nearly 8 years later, a massive blood clot was found in her right leg and upon imagining a schwannoma was discovered in surrounding her right femoral nerve. The schwannoma brought on much pain, and Lori found herself anxious, depressed, and wheelchair bound. This didn’t stop her from being her own advocate as finding a rehab program at the Mayo Clinic where she went from using a wheelchair to walking with a cane in just 5 days. Now she doesn’t use any assistance devices to get around. She is truly a powerful, inspiring woman, and she shares the mindset and tools she has used to get to where she is today. Enjoy!
 
Lori is happy to talk to anyone that needs someone to chat with. Her email is: laedstrom@yahoo.com
 
Michael