Hamilton out of the fog

[SoCalBronco]

Hamilton out of the fog

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
October 30, 2007
It's a big day at the Hamilton household in Parker.
Little Elijah turns 5, and it's a big to-do.

There will be cake and presents.

The biggest gift, though, already has been received.

Elijah and his younger brothers, Sam and James, got their daddy back during the past few weeks.

Ben Hamilton, a Broncos guard, never went anywhere, though, given the magnitude of post-concussion symptoms that subsided only during the past several weeks.

It was the children who actually went elsewhere.

They took an unplanned vacation in August to their grandparents' home in Minnesota because of the severity of dad's personality swings caused by a well-known but still relatively mysterious condition.

The trip wasn't as much a choice as a necessity, intended to get the children into a better situation.

Wrestling with his three boys had been the norm for Ben whenever he walked in the door, but a blow to the helmet during training camp in early August — Hamilton still doesn't quite recall it — made that tradition an impossibility for many of the next 60 days.

The chaos at the house had become too much for Hamilton to handle. Frequent checker games with the children stopped cold turkey, too.

Hamilton had a short temper.

He couldn't stand the noise.

"The kids annoyed me," Hamilton said after the Broncos' loss Monday to the Green Bay Packers, the first game he has attended this season. "And, usually, I'm fun-loving and love to hang out with my kids."

His wife, Jeanne, tried to explain to the children why daddy had turned into a walking zombie who seemed to prefer sleeping for up to 18 hours to monkeying around with them.

"They had no idea," she said Tuesday. "I kept trying to explain to them that he had an 'owie' on his brain and it was making him grouchy."

And it wasn't just irritability that affected the seven-year NFL veteran.

His entire personality had changed.

'He became mean'

After the injury, the normally easygoing Hamilton was anxious, nervous, twitchy and oftentimes quiet.

When confronted, he would snap back that he was fine.

"He became mean," Jeanne said, adding she frequently broke out in tears, wondering if she would get her husband back.

He could hold it together briefly in front of teammates and reporters while visiting the Broncos' training facility, but by the time he returned home, he was tired from the effort it took to appear normal. And it took some coaching from doctors to build him to the point where he could create even that temporary facade.

Once he was back home, Hamilton sometimes couldn't recall what he had done that day.

Jeanne would quiz her husband on mundane subjects such as the day's lunch choice, and he often was unsure what he had eaten.

"He was living in this cloud," Jeanne said. "And he didn't realize how much he'd changed."

Jeanne's mother, Maureen, came to town well aware of her son-in-law's symptoms after frequent phone calls with her daughter, but, once she saw him face to face, she was shocked at the severity of Ben's personality shift.

Grandma watched the children while Ben and Jeanne traveled to the University of Pittsburgh's neurology center two months ago to seek a second opinion on the best treatment to reverse the personality change.

It finally was determined, through consultation with two neurological specialists at Craig Hospital in Englewood, it would be best if the children left until Hamilton could regain his equilibrium.

"It was an embarrassing thing," Hamilton said. "But it was something that had to be done because of what I was going through. And it worked out for the best. But there was a personality change. And it was a scary thing."

Hamilton tried different approaches throughout August and September to find a return to normalcy.

Anti-anxiety pills. Blood-pressure medication. Chiropractic help. Oxygen therapy. Exercise.

All were meant to speed the recovery process. But only rest helped — that, and a decision.

On Sept. 29, the Broncos placed Hamilton on the injured-reserve list, ending his season.

The pressure of not having to attempt a comeback proved a stress reducer and ultimately aided the healing process.

Jeanne said she is grateful Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos and the organization forced the issue. Hamilton got off the drugs and slowly began recovering.

"It definitely wasn't my pick, or something I wanted to do," Hamilton said of sitting out the season. "But I needed to get better."

Emotional component

A concussion essentially occurs when the brain is shaken violently or jarred against the skull.

The August blow Hamilton endured wasn't the first time he had "gotten his bell rung," but the gravity and longevity of the symptoms were completely foreign.

Dr. Alan H. Weintraub, the medical director of the brain injury program at Craig Hospital and one of Hamilton's primary caregivers, described the player's post-concussive state as a "disruption in brain function" that affects the brain's ability to process information and is reflected in the level of attention span, concentration, speed of thought and reaction time.

But, as Hamilton learned, concussions can have a huge emotional component in addition to short-circuiting the processing of information. And it's common, particularly in the early stages, for patients to run the gamut of feelings from a dazelike state to frenzy.

"It can affect how you deal with day-to-day life," Weintraub said. "People don't think about that. They think all your brain does is intelligence and physical capacities."

The NFL, which adopted a concussion- management program in the mid-1990s, administers neuropsychological testing to all players during the preseason. (Dr. Don Gerber, a Weintraub colleague at Craig Hospital whose expertise is in concussion evaluation and management, administers those tests for the Broncos.) If a player then suffers a concussion, the preseason results are compared with the post-concussive state.

But those computerized tests measure only cognitive function. So Hamilton underwent additional testing to provide information on his brain's information-processing capabilities, and it was determined he had returned to a high-functioning state.

"But the inefficiencies in behavioral capacities cannot be measured by those tests," Weintraub said. "They're measured by the formal interviews and other examinations that we do, by psychological interviews, neurological reviews and behavioral observations."

Such as snapping at one's children or spouse for no apparent reason.

"They had to take him out of that environment to let him heal, so there wasn't a secondary disability for his wife, for his kids, and mostly about how Ben felt about himself in that job he has in life," Weintraub said.

In the loop again

Hamilton is back to a seminormal routine. He has resumed the daily crossword and Sudoku puzzles he loves. He also has begun mild cardiovascular activities. And for the first time in a long while, he feels fine afterward.

During the height of her husband's problems, Jeanne always knew when he had been working out because of the vacant look in his eyes and subsequent memory loss.

"I'm playing with my kids more, which is a good thing," Hamilton said.

Now he is hoping to play with his Broncos teammates next season.

In the five years before his ordeal, Hamilton had started 84 consecutive regular- and postseason games.

"I don't know what the future is going to hold, exactly," he said. "But the way things are going now, I'm encouraged. I'm feeling great right now."

Weintraub said he and Gerber are "cautiously optimistic" Hamilton can play in 2008. Signs they've seen in recent weeks point toward a full rehabilitation.

"I'm just so happy to have him back to his old personality," Jeanne said. "He's a smart- ass. And I missed that.

"I'm leery, of course, because our family and life is more important than playing another year in football, and it is to Ben, too. I don't think he'd jeopardize anything to play. So we'll just wait and see."

Meanwhile, they'll celebrate his good health, along with a child's birthday.

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...735338,00.html

[SoCalBronco]

This is terribly sad, I had no idea about the depth and wide scope of problems that this concussion caused him. That's very troubling. I am glad he is getting back to normal but perhaps it would be best not to risk any further aggravation of these behavioral problems by returning to the field (To be sure...I am speaking from ignorance on all these medical/behavioral issues...I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the risk of such concussions and effects would only be heightened after the first one, I think I heard that somewhere, although I'm sure its much more complicated than that).

I am glad he is getting back to normal but this is all very sad.

Props to BroncoBuff for alerting us to the seriousness of these issues earlier.

[CBF1]

I had no idea that he was doing so bad. A loving wife and 3 children, plus enough money to retire make me wonder if he would ever come back

[Kaylore]

If it was that bad, I would consider retirement if I was Ben. Nothing is worth potentially living your life that way - or worse.

[BowlenBall]

Wow... even though he's quite a player for us, I hope he doesn't return next year, for his and his family's sake. No amount of money is worth losing your health.

Jake Plummer retired for different causes, but similar reasons -- he wanted to be able to enjoy the later years of his life in relatively good health, rather than gut it out for a few more years and being debilitated.

[fontaine]

I wish Ben a full recovery.

And yes I do hope he plays in 2008. The kind of guy he is, I know it would kill him to not be able to play football again.

[Mediator12]

Man, Concussions are so unique of an injury. Not many things can make you become a totally different person overnight. A lot of injuries can make a player get defensive and depressed, like season ending Knee surgeries, but to do a number on WHO you actually are and alter your emotional capacity and personality is just downright cruel.

I have seen some fairly twisted people in my work, but they have made their choices while under control of their faculties. I do not do a lot of really clinical work with severely mentally disabled people, but I have evaluated a few that have had this type of problem that is phsysical in nature and their lack of control was eye opening to me.

The very nature of concussions is just now getting out there in the NFL and I know Hamilton will be able to at least make an informed decision about his future. I give the team great Kudos though for shutting him down for the year from Contact. As the article states, healing is from time with no contact and they really can do very little otherwise. Not having to get hit for a year will really give him an oportunity to regain 100% ability and reduce the further risk of injury as much as possible.

That being said, Every time these guys get hit there is a chance of a concussion and season ending or life changing injury. I hope Ben gets and takes good advice on his future as a player. His situation is very unique at this point and only his family and Ben will have to make a choice when the time comes.

Finally, this game is a mental one at this level and just having a slight impairment could be tragic for him in the short and long term. I wish him well and the ability to make the right choice.

[62Olinesdad]

Its fantastic news to hear he is doing so much better. We have been worried about Ben since it happened. I can't imagine what he has been through after reading this article. Wow it really goes to show you what we take for granted each day. I have mixed emotions for Ben returning to play next year. A injury like that would scare the hell out of me from returning to play again. I just hope Ben weighs out everything before he returns and puts himself in a position for more damage to occur. Thats just something I hope never happens.

[dbfan21]

That was a good article, but Ben's pain from the concussion is just the beginning.

I live in Florida and go to the same church as Ben's brother. Ben's nephew (6th grader) is in the youth program that I volunteer with. Unfortunately, Ben's brother, Bill, recently had a heart attack and is on life support. They are waiting for the family to assemble before taking him off of it. I think today (Wednesaday) will be the day they "let him go".

It's a very sad situation. Please keep the Hamilton family in your thoughts and prayers this week.

[broncswin]

Time to hang em up buddy, Do your family a favor and stop any further damage. It is scary to think what could happen to him in 15 years, will something like this reoccur. This game is so violent and yet we as fans don't know the half of it. I played at a small college and saw maybe a tidbit of what these guys face everyday of there life(during and after there playing days are over). Best wishes and thankyou.

[broncswin]

Originally Posted by dbfan21

That was a good article, but Ben's pain from the concussion is just the beginning.

I live in Florida and go to the same church as Ben's brother. Ben's nephew (6th grader) is in the youth program that I volunteer with. Unfortunately, Ben's brother, Bill, recently had a heart attack and is on life support. They are waiting for the family to assemble before taking him off of it. I think today (Wednesaday) will be the day they "let him go".

It's a very sad situation. Please keep the Hamilton family in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Thoughts and prayers during a trying time for the family.

[missingnumber7]

I've been paying close attention to concussion research for 2 reasons, 1 i ref and its important stuff to know, and 2 cuncussions happen often in iraq and are caused by ied dets. But from what was in that article is a common symptom for something that gets guys sent home from theatre. I hope that people are advising him properly. Hopefully having the boys go away for 60 days becuase of the concussion will make him reconsider playing next year.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I have met Ben a couple of times in social situations. Very nice guy. Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Take your time and make the right decisions on your future Ben.

[cmhargrove]

I wish the best for Ben and his family, he is really a warrior. Hopefully, the time off will let him heal fully and let him do what he loves to do again (play football). If it doesn't work out, it sounds like he and his family are already prepared to make the right decisions for them.


Get well Ben!

[Los Broncos]

Thats kind of sad, it must be hard knowing you may never play again.

But maybe he should consider it.

[Natedogg]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

This is terribly sad, I had no idea about the depth and wide scope of problems that this concussion caused him. That's very troubling. I am glad he is getting back to normal but perhaps it would be best not to risk any further aggravation of these behavioral problems by returning to the field (To be sure...I am speaking from ignorance on all these medical/behavioral issues...I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the risk of such concussions and effects would only be heightened after the first one, I think I heard that somewhere, although I'm sure its much more complicated than that).

I am glad he is getting back to normal but this is all very sad.

Props to BroncoBuff for alerting us to the seriousness of these issues earlier.

Spot on.

[fdf]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

If it was that bad, I would consider retirement if I was Ben. Nothing is worth potentially living your life that way - or worse.

Amen.

[HorseHead]

I had no idea. Thanks for the post....

Retire, Footbal is temporary, Family is forever....