5.27.2008

When I skate, my brains shake loose a little

Concussions are so not fun. Even "slight concussions," basically a term for the non-unconscious brain injury, suck major butt. First, there's a headache. Then, dizziness similar to that gained from drinking mojitos all night and not eating (a.k.a., the "spins"); after that, a tightness and dull pain in the head that can cause auras, which migraine sufferers are familiar with. Headaches that don't go away with OTC or prescription meds, are not allergy-related or sinus-pressure variety, and which creep back down the spine (if you land hard enough on your tailbone, it shakes ya right up to your brain-- you don't necessarily have to land on your head to get a concussion).
This is how mine came about. Skating around at practice last week, we were doing weaving drills. One of the other newbies, a really sweet girl and a pretty good skater, lost her balance when it came to me, and fell, pulling me down. Since she was behind me and I wasn't expecting her to grab me, I went down directly on the ole ass, which is not as padded as it used to be, and a little shock went straight back up. Good times. I shook it off, but came home and went straight to bed, as I was unusually tired (I am usually up for an hour, hour and a half after practices with adrenaline still surging through); I woke up in the middle of the night with the aforementioned spins so bad I could not walk to the bathroom without grabbing everything in arm's reach to hold me up. When I got up the next morning, the pain in my head had radiated back down into my neck and shoulders.
I probably should have gone to the doctor, and usually don't have a problem doing so. This just didn't seem like the kind of problem to take to my regular doctor, and getting a CAT scan or MRI just isn't my idea of a good time. Besides, I didn't want to be told that I couldn't practice anymore. But getting warmed up for practice tonight, I just could not get into it. I decided that, for the next few weeks, I'm going to take a break from being Smashly the Hood, and work out on my own. Then, hopefully, when I return to practicing, I will be more comfortable on my skates and won't go down so easily. Smashed the Hood doesn't sound very threatening out there on the track!

5 comments:

CFN said...

!! That sounds awful. The spins, followed by the hurls, followed by the sicks. The world of competitive, full-contact skating is just gonna have to get along with the Smash for now! I hope you feel better now (and have finally wised up and gone to the MD!).

Ashly said...

I have NOT gon to the doctor, I'm feeling mostly better now:) I am, however, taking a break from practicing with everyone else, and I'm planning to go work on my own a little, to get the basics and feel more comfy on my skates. Not to worry, the Hood will still skate-- and will eventually kick ass. But after a verbal beating from a trainer last week, I decided to give it a bit of a rest;)
I wanna swim soon, as long as it's okay to bring the tot, so let me know what might work for you. Also, we will be childless for a few nights next week so maybe some trivia fun or something?

CFN said...

Yes, yes, and yes. This weekend looks really good for swimming (finally); all I have to do is return some truly, truly hideous summer clothes I got from Gap and Old Navy (XXL bathing suit? What was I thinking?!?). It would *only* be fun if you brought the tot, so grease 'er up and we can set a time! Saturday afternoon, perhaps? 3ish? I'll double check with the menfolk to make sure I haven't forgotten anything, but if not it's on like Donkey Kong.

CFN said...

Oh, shiz, as soon as I wrote that I realized that I might have to move everything out of my Reese house this weekend! I'll keep you posted.

Anonymous said...

Dude, whatever. Actually, 3ish is during the tot's naptime, (and mine, honestly!) maybe a little after 4? That might also give you time to get shiz moved. But like I said, whatever.
Oh, and I'm sure I've mentioned it a dozen time, but next Sat. June 7th-- home bout for MRD. I will be there sans skates, but it'll be fun anyway;)