[Kiwi]

My Dad is doing well since his head injury. He came home last Friday after a 10 day stay in hospital, followed by just over a month in a specalised brain rehab centre.

There are some memory issues, mainly with his short term memory, but the thing that is most distressing for us, is that his personality has changed quite a bit. He is normally a very quiet person, and it would take a bit to get a conversation out of him. However now, you can hardly shut him up! He's almost a little child-like, quite silly and chatty. He does seem to understand that his personality has changed and even said to me that he is trying to stop 'talking-sh*t' (his words) all the time, but can't! It's just a waiting game to see if these changes are permanent or not.

His balanced had also been affected, but it seems to have come right now. He's doing a lot of exercise to help correct it, which he is really enjoying.

He isn't allowed to drive for 6 months, can't drink alcohol for 2 years and has to wear a helmet if he's ever doing anything were he could knock his head (we went for a walk on Saturday and he wore it then). He's also on medication to stop seizures which are very common in the 6 months following a head injury.

Luckily my parents are receiving a small amount of financial assistance from ACC, which is great, although it's not very much. Better than nothing I guess.

Thank you for all your positive energy and prayers over the past 6 weeks. It's been very much appreciated. Hopefully it won't be to much longer until Dad is back to his old self.

[sara~b]

I'm glad he's doing better and I really hope the rapid improvement continues! T&P's for your dad!

[~*sierra*~]

well i am so glad to hear that your dad has improved so much! its funny how brain injuries can change people's personalities, my grandma had a stroke and she came out of it a much nicer person (she was pretty crotchety before the stroke)! i'm sure being back home will help a lot with getting your dad back to normal, he's so lucky to have all of his family looking out for him.

[faith*hope*love]

I'm glad to hear he is doing better although there is still room for improvement. I'm sure he will get back to himself in no time.

I am glad he is doing much better and hope he makes a full recovery personality wise and otherwise. I have a bit of a fascination with cognitive science and read all of Dr Oliver Sacks books like 8 years ago where he details all sorts of odd behavioral changes due to brain injury. I guess it is good he recognizes the change at least? I hope you dad makes a full recovery soon

[Kiwi]

Would you have the names of those books handy? I would be interested in reading them.

[Chelnae6]

Thats great that he's doing better. I bet he'll be back to his old self (or at least close to it) in no time.

Must be nice to have him back home

These 2 are great ones by Oliver Sacks.
Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat is a classic book by Sacks that has accounts of brain injury.
An Anthropologist On Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales has accounts of altered minds too, but due to disorders rather then brain injury.

Phantoms in the Brian is also really excellent. The author goes into research and theories in this one.

[LisanAndy]

I'm glad he's doing better, that's great

[Mars]

I'm glad he's doing much better. That is wonderful. I hope the improvements continue.

[*krista*]

I'm glad to hear he is doing well! Your family has been through so much with his brain injury. I hope he makes a fully recovery. It sounds like he is progressing well towards that!