associated in random thought

update

after a long weekend of gauze and darvocet, unexpected family visits, and lots of movies, helen and i attempted to take on the week as productive americans.

of course, when one has had a blow to the head, this isn't easy.

and as for me, of course i came down with the funk. who knows what i've got; let's just say it involves green phlegm. mmmm.

helen seems to be suffering from post-concussive syndrome, which is a very vague diagnosis for a broad range of post-closed-head-injury symptoms. nausea, frustration, memory loss, achiness, anxiety, overwhelming sleepiness, mood swings, etc. she seems to have all of them. so. back to the ER went we last night, and sat in the waiting room for a few hours. we watched the american idol showdown with latinos in wheelchairs, who didn't speak much english, but were well-versed just the same in all things carrie underwood. they did not like bo bice at all.

after a second round of CT scans, the doctors concluded that helen has no internal bleeding or brain swelling. it's just a matter of time and rest for these symptoms to abate.

the good news is that she doesn't have to go back to work for nearly 2 weeks, thanks to the miracle of FMLA. and i am home with her today, as caregiver from bed. i'm watching her from here, making sure all is well as she eats her chinese food. [looks fine to me. chewing. swallowing. good.]

here's a weird thought: 13 years ago today, i was in my own bike accident, and suffered the same post-concussive nastiness, except with the added bonus of a fractured skull and blood-on-brain. (i was not wearing a helmet.) synchronicity and empathy. strange, isn't it?

i need a nap.