nikopie

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I do understand that soccer caused my SAH, but it was a freak accident. And for the most part, everyone telling me not to play, etc., are people I know well. On the same token, those who know me, know how much I enjoy being active, and as morbid as this is, know I would rather go out young doing something that makes me happy, than old and miserable. @GoldfishGirl ... Sorry to hear about your son. Maybe soon he can get back into his kickboxing. Dr. was ok with me doing aikido (a martial art) because its a much more controlled environment with people who know what they're doing...hopefully the same will happen with your son. @Dawn ... Oh i've been practicing with 2 of my friends because I'm contemplating doing an indoor winter league... MRI is this evening (monday), and doctor appointment is next week. We'll see what happens then...

So for those who don't know I got my SAH playing goalie in soccer (football) making a nasty save in Jan-2010. I've had the itch to start playing again, and have begun practicing with 2 of my friends. One is playing for college and hurt his knee and has been out for a month+ so we're doing each other a favor. Anyway its just practice and is very controlled. The frustration lies here... just about everyone I know is being super negative about me playing again. "Crazy", "Idiot" "Insane" is what I'm hearing... by the way all unsolicited opinions. It just got to me today when 2 people brought it up and decided to share their opinion. Whatever happened to "nothing nice to say don't say it"??? MRI on Monday and meeting with neurologist after that to talk more about soccer. I'll take his opinion and advice because that's what I'm going there for.

Thanks everyone! winb ... Yes I've always been a fast talker, and "change channels" ... My mind moves fast and always has which can be a bless and a curse. Sadly i can't write down what I want to say always... Especially in a meeting or conference call or on site at a location. No one at my new job really knows about the SAH because regardless of people saying they won't they do look at you a tad differently. It does frustrate me to no end though when I lose my words.

I wouldn't say I lost friends, rather discovered who my real friends are. Some people didn't just "get it". Others were there for me a 100% during the early stages. They understood something crappy happened and were there to help/support/whatever. I'm a pretty guarded/tight lipped person when it comes to feelings so while I didn't talk a lot about it besides making jokes to cope the few I did talk to were amazing. Look at that aspect as a blessing cause I know who I can count on. Work wise was fortunately awesome. I work in the medical field and the practice I was at when the accident happened was super understanding. In fact they were mad I came back so soon! The CEO kept a close eye on me and made sure I went home when I started "looking like and rundown".

Ive always been a talker, talk fast and talk a lot. I've noticed, more so the past few weeks but I think it's because I'm paying attention more and just started a new job so im more conscientious about it, that sometimes in the middle of talking I can't "pull" the next word out. I know what I'm trying to say, and what I mean, but just completely cannot think of "that" word. It's quite frustrating. Call them brain farts at work because no one Knows about the SAH. Anyone else? Anyone know some ways to work around this?

I wouldn't say I have hearing loss but things have definitely changed. Certain noises now drive me insane and give me a killer headache, depending on the frequency and decibel level of it. Also if there are multiple noises going on around me I can't concentrate on anything in particular. If I'm near a fan the only thing I can concentrate on is the hum of the blades. Didn't recall being like this pre "****** brain" and asked my parents... My mom said "no, you used to be normal" (she was joking about that part). Docs all say it's from the SAH.

Bill - Always love hearing from another goalie!!! Sorry to hear you can't play anymore. My docs said there concern with me playing again was if I have the same type of contact (knee/ground) the injury could be worse than the first time. 20 years and that was the first time something serious happened so I think the odds are good. I've missed it so much! I've had the "itch" to start playing again since like a week after my SAH, but its getting stronger and stronger. Me and my buddy met up last night and he was taking shots on me for about an hour. Its a "controlled" environment with him basically just taking PK's, corners, other distant shots and we weren't doing breakaways. It was so much fun!!! Woke up a little sore this morning, the "goalie" sore, and it felt great! Really hoping the docs give me the go-ahead soon. I'm thinking I should rock the soft helmet like Cech... if its good enough for one of the best goalies, its good enough for me! Interesting you mentioned about not being able to judge/read the ball well after your SAH. I did notice last night that I was misjudging some balls speeds and flights. I chalked it up to not playing for 2.5 years and just had to get some practice in... I'll be keeping your comments in mind if I don't notice any improvement. MaryB ... I think worrying about stuff like that is definitely a Mom thing. I'm 28, my parents live 200 miles away, and my mom still worries about everything! Thats a really good piece of advice about asking what some possible symptoms would be about the mengioma and if it starts growing. Added that to the list of things to talk to the neuro with when I see them soon. All the best!!!

Thanks for the responses! @Winb143 ... I'm from the South Jersey across the Pond in the US. Going to go see (hopefully) Chelsea play the MLS All Star team on Wednesday. Still working on the logistics of getting tickets and who can/wants to go. I did speak with my neurologists office yesterday evening, and after my annual MRI soon I'm going to go in and see one of their sports-injury doctors and see what he says about playing again. They did tell me not to be too optimistic about playing but we'll see what happens. I still do Aikido (martial art) but that is in a much more controlled environment, and everyone I train with knows about the "****** brain" is extra cautious if were doing stuff near the head. @Kempse ... Sorry to hear about your son getting hurt. But like you said, goalie is built in the DNA. And as my one friend says (he's also a goalie) we're a little bit "touched". Most people get out of the way of balls being drilled fast and hard at you, but we dive in front of them. If your son is like most goalies (me included) he wore his injuries as a badge of honor. The game before my SAH I actually fractured my wrist. Still stayed in, and played the next game when I got my SAH. One of the nurses at the trauma unit was from Mexico, and LOVED soccer. We were talking and he said to me "You, you are a TRUE goalie". When I asked him what he meant he said, "only a true goalie would play with a broken wrist, and only a true goalie would risk himself like that just to save the ball." It made me smile. Best of luck to your son! He plays the most stressful, hero or villain making position in the game!

Hi All. Had my SAH 14-Jan-2010 at 26 y/o. Was playing indoor soccer and was keeper, at that point had been playing that position for 20 years and is the only position I really know how to play, absolutely love playing. Anyway, first half, guy had a breakaway, I came out and challenged him, and as I slid in for the ball he took his shot. Took a full strength knee to my temple, and then my head bounced off the ground, which was just astro turf over cement. LOC of 5-10 seconds. Woke up saw everyone standing around me. First words were "Did I save it?" I did. After much ballyhooing I finally went to the hospital, had a CAT scan, and was then thrown into an ambulance and rushed to the Trauma center. Fortunately, they monitored the bleeding, and no surgery or operation was needed. Spend 24 hours in the Trauma unit before being released. Made pretty much a full recovery, however, I do have some sensitivity to noises. Certain frequencies or sounds or noises I cannot tolerate at all anymore, and they go straight to my head and I got excruciating headaches. Also just get headaches from time to time which never used to happen. Oh well, it could have been worse. During one of the many MRI/CAT scans, they also noticed a meningioma tumor, which is benign. I'm now subjected to MRI's once a year to monitor it. I do have a question... one doctor told me I couldn't play soccer (as keeper) ever again. Which was not what I wanted to hear. At all. Another doctor told me after 5 years from the injury I could start playing again. Anyone know anything about this or can provide feedback? Thanks!