Head Injuries on Ice

This is a good time to remind you to keep an eye on your parents.

Earlier this week, a woman named "Katie" called the Dan Conry Show with concerns over ice on public parking lots. Katie told a story about an elderly woman who slipped on the ice and fell under her parked car. When asked if she was okay, the woman replied, "My head hurts." Still, she insisted she was okay, and eventually she went on her way.

I'm very concerned for this woman.

It's been three years since my dad fell on the ice and hit his head so hard he saw stars. The headache he experienced lasted days, then weeks.
Yet, he didn't seek a doctor's assistance until his symptoms made him think he was suffering from a stroke. He ended up in the hospital with a couple holes in his head.

More recently, I know a man who fell and thumped his head. He sought medical attention immediately and was sent home with a clean bill of health. Days later, however, his behavior alarmed his close friends. He said things he'd normally not say. Eventually, like my dad, he also wound up in the hospital.

So, one man saw a doctor too soon, the other didn't see a doctor soon enough. What are you supposed to do?
You keep an eye on your loved one after a fall. You pay attention when s/he says s/he's got a headache that won't go away. Take note of changes in behavior. Are they saying or doing things that just aren't consistent with their personality? If you visit a doctor for something that seems unrelated, mention the head injury. It might matter.

I wish I knew the woman Katie talked about. I hope she's okay. And I hope someone in her family reads this.