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Just weeks ago, Creighton Prep sophomore Sean McMahon was working out with a friend when a sudden headache changed everything.“Me and my friend, Liam, we were working out at the JCC, and just mid-set, I started to get this really, really bad headache,” McMahon said. “I didn’t really know what was happening.”Moments later, he became sick and disoriented. Someone in the locker room called 911, and McMahon was rushed to the hospital. Doctors later discovered he had an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding.After treatment, McMahon began rehabilitation at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Omaha.When he first arrived, he struggled with vision, balance and mobility.“So, started off just vision was really bad, not really being able to walk on my own,” McMahon said. “It was just a really weird experience.”But in just a few weeks, therapists say his recovery has been remarkable.Physical therapist assistant Hayley Haefner said rehabilitation is a key part of recovery for patients with brain injuries.“A lot of times they’ll have deficits in balance and thinking skills,” Hefner said. “Then we tailor our sessions individually to the patient.”When McMahon first started therapy, Hefner said he needed help getting out of bed and walking. He also struggled to see objects on his left side.“Now he’s progressed to a point where he got perfect scores on his balance tests,” Haefner said.March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which aims to educate the public about the impact of brain injuries and the importance of treatment and support. Millions of Americans live with long-term effects from brain injuries, many of which are not immediately visible. McMahon says one of the biggest things people misunderstand about brain injuries is how long recovery can take.“These brain injuries, they just take a long, long time,” he said. “It’s been a month, month and a half since my injury, and I won’t be fully clear until about a year.”Despite the challenges, McMahon says the support from doctors, therapists and his family has helped him stay motivated.“I came in here barely being able to walk. Now I can walk just fine,” he said. “I’m really thankful for all of them just being there for me and really caring about me.” McMahon will be released from Madonna on Friday, and says he hopes to spend the summer playing golf and continuing his recovery as he works toward getting back to the activities he loves.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Just weeks ago, Creighton Prep sophomore Sean McMahon was working out with a friend when a sudden headache changed everything.
“Me and my friend, Liam, we were working out at the JCC, and just mid-set, I started to get this really, really bad headache,” McMahon said. “I didn’t really know what was happening.”
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Moments later, he became sick and disoriented. Someone in the locker room called 911, and McMahon was rushed to the hospital. Doctors later discovered he had an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding.
After treatment, McMahon began rehabilitation at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Omaha.
When he first arrived, he struggled with vision, balance and mobility.
“So, started off just vision was really bad, not really being able to walk on my own,” McMahon said. “It was just a really weird experience.”
But in just a few weeks, therapists say his recovery has been remarkable.
Physical therapist assistant Hayley Haefner said rehabilitation is a key part of recovery for patients with brain injuries.
“A lot of times they’ll have deficits in balance and thinking skills,” Hefner said. “Then we tailor our sessions individually to the patient.”
When McMahon first started therapy, Hefner said he needed help getting out of bed and walking. He also struggled to see objects on his left side.
“Now he’s progressed to a point where he got perfect scores on his balance tests,” Haefner said.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which aims to educate the public about the impact of brain injuries and the importance of treatment and support. Millions of Americans live with long-term effects from brain injuries, many of which are not immediately visible.
McMahon says one of the biggest things people misunderstand about brain injuries is how long recovery can take.
“These brain injuries, they just take a long, long time,” he said. “It’s been a month, month and a half since my injury, and I won’t be fully clear until about a year.”
Despite the challenges, McMahon says the support from doctors, therapists and his family has helped him stay motivated.
“I came in here barely being able to walk. Now I can walk just fine,” he said. “I’m really thankful for all of them just being there for me and really caring about me.”
McMahon will be released from Madonna on Friday, and says he hopes to spend the summer playing golf and continuing his recovery as he works toward getting back to the activities he loves.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
