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May 4, 2017 | By: Jessica Disher|

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Dear Concussion:

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     We met in a very unusual way. Most people find out they have a concussion as soon as the damage has been done. But in my case, I did not find out you existed until a month after my car accident.

      The car accident occurred on September 19, 2016. The doctors at the time were more concerned with my neck and spine than my never ending headaches. I was in a neck brace for a month before I was aware I was having concussion symptoms.

     On October 24th, 2016, I finally had enough of a lingering headache that I went to the emergency room at 8:30 PM Monday night. I sat in the waiting room until 4:30 in the morning awaiting my turn to finally receive answers to my constant everyday headache, tiredness, and emotional rollercoaster I seemed to be on for quite a while (and I am still experiencing to this day).

    When 4:30 AM rolls around I am finally seen by an emergency room physician. I tell him the prior events about the accident and my symptoms of being tired all the time, emotional, poor concentration, confusion, and constant dull headache. The doctor runs me through the protocol concussion symptoms test. My balance, the ability to walk from one point to another, my vision, and eye movement was recorded. The doctor leaves me to consult with another doctor about my symptoms.

      I am exhausted from being awake all night in a bustling emergency room with constant monitors and beeping going off every second. The doctor returns with a nurse then stating that I have post-concussion syndrome. I am shocked to find out I have been living with a concussion for a month without realizing it. The doctor orders a migraine cocktail of IV fluids that will help me manage the concussion symptoms for a small window of time and referral to be seen by a Neurologist.

    Concussion, we met after a delayed reaction on your part. After going through stresses of a car accident and trying still be a thriving student. October 25th, 2016 at 4:30 AM, I was introduced to you. Still to this day you linger with me causing me to live a different life than I did before. A constant reminder that you are still there with your annoying everyday headache. The amount of medication, both morning and night to relieve the pain and kick you out of my brain once and for all but still you linger after 8 months.