Brain Damage vs. Brain Injury

In the vastly unfamiliar world that is the medical community there is a distinct difference between brain damage and a brain injury. We thought for sure that something that has been injured is damaged; however this is not the case. The doctors said he sustained a brain injury which will take time to heal, which to us sounded like a nice way of saying that he had brain damage. The doctor later clarified on this issue by explaining that brain damage occurs only when there is a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Brain damage is also irreversible; brain injuries heal! Mikey was breathing even while he was unconscious so he did NOT sustain any brain damage. Instead, his brain was bruised which means that once the swelling subsides he should (and will) be able to make a full recovery. What a relief! Doctors additionally said that brain injuries are unpredictable; they take time. Some patients demonstrate miraculous progress overnight while others take baby steps daily. All we can really do is take it one day at a time.