Original post: Oct. 4, 2019

I can now do about 40-45% of the things I could do, pre-concussion. That might not sound like a lot, but I was at 1-2% when we landed back in Canada; I’m hugely encouraged. If you are thinking and praying for my concussion, here are the things that still need improvement:

  • Music is still an issue. I can’t listen to loud or bass-heavy music at all. Only soft music, very briefly, is doable. This might not sound like much of a limitation, but it means going into malls, restaurants, and stores is iffy, and sometimes (depending on loudness) impossible. It also means I can’t participate in regular church services.
  • Wearing sunglasses, I can now use our computer in 15-minute increments, with 30-60 minute breaks in between.
  • Thinking is very slow.
    • If I’m in a meeting (e.g., a medical appointment), I can absorb information, but it takes a while to process it. I finally think of questions I would normally ask in the appointment, several hours later.
    • If I want to write something on the computer, I have to write it by hand first. Typing is too fast for my brain.
    • The conversations in TV shows I haven’t seen before are too fast for me. They go right over my head. Wearing sunglasses and earplugs, I can watch some TV, but only if it’s a show I’ve seen many times. Essentially, my memory helps the show not to become overwhelming.
  • Just after my concussion, emotional volatility was rough. Though this seems to have calmed down now, I’m still unable to hide whatever emotions I’m feeling. This ability, which most of us take for granted, is crucial to the health of our ministry in Japan. Without it, I would be wrecking relationships right, left, and center. I hope it comes back soon.

Once more, we’re learning to celebrate the small victories:

  • Not having to wear sunglasses and earplugs all the time
  • Being able to visit with our families for longer stretches
  • Having emotional control
  • Being able to read, and write by hand
  • Singing

This concussion is becoming a reminder of all the things we have to be thankful for— things that perhaps we’d never thought of as gifts in quite this way before. And once more, we’re remembering: there’s always something we can be grateful for.

Thank you for walking with us.


NOTES

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