Note to Self: Next Time You're On TV...

...remember to get plenty of sleep, have someone else fix your hair, and EAT first! Two days ago it was time for more fun with the True Life crew.

I'm glad the camera was rolling as we got the good news that Neil's vision is improving. It was pretty exciting to hear his eye doctor say that he probably wouldn't need surgery. He gave him a lower prescription prism for his left lens and some new exercises to work on and wants to see Neil again in a month. We're so encouraged!

When we came home from the appointment, the tv crew sat us down for "formalish" interviews. They expect to use this material for voice-overs, but some of the video may by shown as well. Some of the questions were about details of the night of the accident--including how we were notified. (Two uniformed policemen knocked on the door at midnight, asked if I was Neil's mom, then asked me to sit down--in case you were wondering.) Of course I had a hard time keeping it together as we talked about such emotional stuff.

Some of the questions were very personal. It's hard to keep your head when a sympathetic producer is asking in such a kind way. Neil and I both felt a little nervous after it was all done--like maybe we talked too much, or shared some things we shouldn't have for a televised audience. I know their intent is to inform the audience and teach about what it's like to live with, and try to recover from, a brain injury, but will they care enough about Neil personally not to embarrass him in the process? What will be left in, and what will be left on the floor of the editing room? I'm having second thoughts, but it's too late--I already signed the release. They own our souls...I mean, whatever we said on camera.

And this brings me to the lack of food and sleep. I couldn't figure out why my mind kept going blank as they asked me questions about things I've talked about a hundred times before. Where was the information? I felt like I had a brain injury myself. It wasn't until after they left that evening that I realized I was running on half an apple and a little peanut butter, and maybe five hours sleep for the last few days. Low blood sugar--of course! And poor Neil! His neuro-fatigue may have started manifesting itself a little early because of the excitment of the day.

So, as I said, next time you're on tv...