NeuroStorm of the Century, Part 3 of 3: A New Way of Life

Suzette Buhr
Neurostorm (Part 3)

This is part three of a three-part article:

 

Josh was definitely speaking his mind at three months and wanted to come home. The plan up until the last week in the hospital was that Josh would be going to a long-term brain treatment facility (for 3 to 5 years), and Josh wanted nothing to do with that and protested, “I want to go home and be in my own bed.” And I (as his Mom, caregiver, and advocate) whole-heartedly agreed. I firmly believed that his best possible outcome would depend upon his happiness and emotional well-being which would directly influence all his therapies in a positive way.

I did everything in my power that last week in the hospital to make it possible for Josh to come home. I learned all the techniques needed to provide for his Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and I was medically trained by the nursing staff for giving injections, catheterizations, showering and bathroom instructions, feeding tube instructions, and all the necessary paperwork required to have our home handicap accessible, before he was allowed to come home.

As happy as I felt about the thought of bringing Josh home, there were many people who cast doubt in my direction and warned me, “The caregivers are the first ones to get sick and run down." Their advice was helpful; as even I had noticed I had lost a considerable amount of weight from the stress of this situation, right along with Josh's weight loss as he struggled to survive. But Josh and I were both determined to make this work. I took all their comments into consideration and made a mental note to get rest and eat properly so that I was able to take care of Josh.

While we had been blessed with the endless supply of food from family and friends, I struggled with my loss of appetite. My co-workers Andrea and Tracy brought me chocolate Ensure Plus. I cannot say enough good things about the health benefits of these nutritional supplement drinks during a crisis. I could feel my body being restored with energy. Ironically, it was the same nutritional supplement that Josh was given to help him heal properly after all his injuries.

We brought Josh home three months after his catastrophic 50 foot fall at work—the fall that caused his severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI), torn aorta, loss of one functioning kidney, 86 broken bones, severe neurological damage, and a rare disorder called “neurostorming.”

This neurostorming phenomenon was almost impossible to research because of its rarity. Neurostorms are seldom written about and even less often photographed. Surgeons and physicians over recent years have recorded this complex medical condition using a variety of interchangeable terms including:

  • NeuroStorming
  • Sympathetic Storms
  • Para-sympathetic Storming
  • Neurologic Storming
  • Autonomic Dysfunction Syndrome
  • Diencephalic Seizures
  • Dysautonomia
  • Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity
  • Paroxysmal Autonomic Instability
  • Storming after Traumatic Brain Injury

Seven months after his work accident, Josh was outside, at home, walking with his therapy dog, Murray. When he came back into the house, his sister and I visually noticed that he was neurostorming. We had Josh sit down and monitored his heart rate and blood pressure. Josh was unaware of his neurostorming episode. We showed Josh in a mirror how he looked when he neurostormed, and I took a photograph for his doctor to see. See cover photo).

Josh continues to have occasional bouts of neurostorming, however, generally less often and with less severity. He takes oral medication to help decrease neurostorm events, balance blood pressure, and help regulate his nervous system. Josh also uses rest and relaxation techniques, hydrating with water, and temperature-specific showers to help reduce his neurostorming episodes.

The surgeons and residents at the hospital learned a lot from Josh. Josh’s neurosurgeon compared him with one of the most famous TBI survivors of all time when he said, “Josh's case is so rare that it ranks up there with the great Phineas Gage stories!” His neurosurgeon told us, “Josh and Phineas have a lot in common. Both had a work-related accident, both were the same age when their accident happened, and both survived a horrific brain injury. These two miraculous patients have taught others about how the brain functions after a severe brain injury.” Josh’s neurosurgeon said how honored he was to be able to work with Josh and how proud he is of Josh. We were incredibly blessed to have had this amazing neurosurgeon as one of Josh’s doctors, along with the entire talented team of trauma surgeons at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin who all helped to save Josh's life.

Josh’s recovery has included completing one year of PT, OT, and speech therapy and he was also able to reverse his legal guardianship back to himself, a milestone that thrilled us both. His appointed legal social worker in Madison said, “It is a rare and happy occurrence when someone gets to reverse their guardianship and become an active member of society again, and Josh is one amazing person.”

On the two-year anniversary of his accident, July 10, 2016, Josh said, “After the extraordinary hope, care, support, amazing team of family, friends, and doctors that literally put me back together again, I beat all odds.” We celebrated at a reunion with the City of Madison Fire Department First Responders. It was an honor to be able to say thank-you to the many amazing first responders who help saved Josh's life.

And two years and one month later, Josh realized his dream of being able to walk down the aisle to marry the love of his life, Allison.

Navigating through neurostorms is just one of the many challenges we have had to face. Hopefully, by sharing our journey, we can help educate and empower other TBI survivors and their caregivers as they also tread the difficult path after enduring traumatic brain injury.

Related links:

Posted on BrainLine January 30, 2017.

Comments (17)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Suzette, Light for Levi and Lainey on Facebook. This mother might benefit from some encouraging words from you.

Suzette,
Since reading your story I’ve found myself finding hope through it. We are right in the thick of it. It feels impossible to standby and not be able to do anything to help him. He hasn’t gain consciousness yet. With Covid having a spike his mother can’t even be at his side. This leaves us mentally and emotionally ready to explode from all that’s being experienced. He is still experiencing Neurostorms. Is there ANYWAY AT ALL you could reach out to his mother!? She’s sits in the parking outside of the hospital most days and I don’t know how she’s able to handle it. This young man is 19 and has a light in him that is so truly unique and my daughter loves him with all of her heart. We all love him of course. To hear from a mother that has been through it would be unbelievable for her right now! I just can’t imagine what she’s going through and then to not be able to get to her son just has to push it over the edge for her.

Suzette, this story sounds a lot like mines and through Christ Jesus and prayer and 1 to 2 hr virtual video I cry because I can't be beside my 19 yr old son. Please continue to pray for my family as i pray for the mother hom us walking my shoes. Be blessed we shall get through this saith the Lord. Amen

Dear Cara, my heart goes out to you and your family, and all the families that are dealing with TBI injuries especially during Covid. I hope you are all still hanging in there, as it is and will be a long journey. My advice to you would be to remember to drink fluids, remember to eat something to keep up your strength, if you can't eat before to drink Ensure, of course I have to say this is not medical advice, this would be advice from a friend who has lived thru it. Please make sure you get out of the car to walk around, you need to get your own blood circulating so you stay healthy for him when you can see him again. Is there any way that a nurse can hold a cell phone up to his ear, even tho he may be unconscious, so that you can talk to him and he may hear you? I would try that. Do it every day if they let you. Beg those nurses. Talk to him on the phone. Abide by the hospital rules, but don't give up on trying to find a way to talk to him, or even possibly visit with him. Ask every single day if covid rules have changed if they might let you in for a few days. I would have with me in my car a backpack ready for the hospital so I could stay quarentined with him. If you tell them you would be willing to do that and if you had already been quarantining in your car, maybe, just maybe they would allow it? See if you can talk to a nurse in person outside of the hospital, so they can see he has family that love him. Keep coming up with different ideas. I know how scary this situation is. Every day there are new challenges. I hope and pray for you and your son and your family. With love, Suzette

I found the story accidentally online and it was so inspiring and exactly what I needed to read at the perfect time… My son was in a motorcycle accident seven weeks ago and his name is also Josh he’s 30 years old, he suffered a Very severe TBI and a DAI... having such extensive injuries they did not think he was going to live and only gave him a 3% survival rate the first couple of days. This was the first time I even heard the term Neuro storming which she continued to have up to about two weeks ago ..He continues to slowly recover and has a long road but he is our “miracle man” so thank you once again. God bless your son❤️

Thank you for sharing your story my son had a motorcycle accident Monday NOVEMBER 18TH 2019 will be 4 weeks since his injury my son's name is also Josh and has a TBI THE DOCTOR SAY AT 100%. Prayers Faith and Hope that we get a miracle from God as your Josh did.

Im so glad you shared your story my 18 year old daughter was in a auto accident around 2 weeks ago this gives us alot of hope she has the same Glasgow score and diffuse axonal injury and about the same odds thank you so much for sharing

Awe, thank you for your comment. I send my love and prayers to you and your family. It takes a lot of time and patience. Keep a written journal, that's the best way to see progress. It is a team effort, any assistance you can get, take it. Love always.

Was there anything you did to ease the neurostorms. As I sit here writing this my son his having one that has lasted 2hr and counting. Please help for tips to ease his storms.

First off, I am not a doctor, and I would highly suggest you contact your son's physician or neurologist or health care professional. That being said, some things that can help decrease neurostorms include: turn off TV and other overstimulating things. Sometimes "anything" is overstimulating. If your son can communicate, ask him, he might know. Taking a shower can help decrease neurostorms, or lay down, drink a glass of water. Body temperature or the indoor or outdoor temperature (too hot or too cold) can also cause neurostorms. Monitor the patients temp and blood pressure and let his doctor know what it is. Make sure the patient is taking his medication as prescribed and not late or missing any doses. I wish you and your son all the best.

More than six years into a TBI after I took a blind temple shot from a headbutt during a soccer game while simultaneously heading the ball on the right side of my head. Never saw the guy coming and paid the price for the double hit! Gabapentanol nor any other drug could prevent the "shocks" I would experience by an overloaded nervous system. I constantly have to reset my autonomous system through yoga, rest, light exercise and being aware of over stimulation. Life certainly improved after my squished optic nerve was unsquished by a talented physiotherapist who could see the dent! I wouldn't wish this injury on anyone. It's cost me everything - career, job, family, home, health. One day at a time.

I hear you, I agree, and I understand. Can you share more about your Optic Nerve and is your vision better now? Thank you.

Suzette, I do not know how you had the strength during all of this! As I read the first two parts my heart was breaking and when I finished, I remembered that all went exceedingly better than expected and my heart broke again, with joy.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It gives us hope.

Wow !! Thank you for sharing this important story. I am 6 years post injury and still struggle daily to wake up positive and happy and strong with my strategies and reminders that sometimes do not transfer day to day without cueing and help. One of the best gifts that you can give to someone is to be a good example. Thanks for being one. RAD.
I can only imagine the details you left out. Your brave and courageous family are inspiring.
Suzette I find your story a true success and simply a miracle. God gave you the important job of healing your son and you accomplished it. Josh is so blessed to have you ,his girlfriend and his family to help him recover. Josh also had more to do on earth his accident gave living education to all the medical staff and to future brain injury victims. He must be a strong loving man to come out on the other side of this horrible fall. Thank you for sharing your sons story with all of us. Gods blessings to you all. Your high school friend Glenda M
Suzette, you are an amazing mom! So happy to read about Josh's survival and miraculous recovery.