Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

I was a high functioning, educated and experienced expert in information technology governance until I had my last motorcycle accident. After three weeks of amnesia my self awareness returned, but my balance, hearing, vision and sense of smell and taste were all adversely affected. So are my emotions. They are so labile I am not really functional even four months later. Perhaps the damage that affected my emotions the most was that to my senses. I am a UC Davis trained enologist (winemaker) and love to cook and eat. (no, I was not drinking on the way to work at 0630 on Monday).

The neuropsychiatrist I finally was able to see two months after the accident told me that my brain had probably smacked the nerves above my nose, and it was unlikely I would ever smell or taste anything but sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, again. My wife burned toast, and I never smelled it, so cooking is out of the question for me. I was burning myself often, anyway. I do not use glassware, either. Plastic is my friend. Reusable. I was a cheap feed. Peanut butter and water were just fine. Texture was most important. I guess we all compensate. A week ago I actually thought I could taste the toast. As the week progressed I could differentiate different tastes and smells. Not like I use to, but I am vastly improved in that area. The reason this is important to me is because if something like smell and taste can improve with time I have hope that my executive skills will improve with time. I recognize that at my age (54 and male) that it is improbable that I will ever return to my former employment.

Things have been very confusing, but as time has gone on I have been gathering information, and it is truly rewarding to learn of the resources that exist and our advances in brain study. If nothing else I hope study of my condition will aid others in the future. In the interim, I will make try to make do with the hot, fresh baking powder biscuits I made yesterday. I still burned myself, but at least I did not forget they were in the oven.