I started my 6 week physical therapy yesterday. I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first appointment. When I think of physical therapy I think of exercises, treadmills, stretching, etc. Well, this was completely different. My therapist is trained in vestibular (balance) rehabilitation. This approach is used to decrease my dizziness, increase my stabilization, improve my balance by using sensory and motor aspects of my postural control, and to increase my activity level. So first thing we did was discuss my symptoms prior to the surgery and then my current symptoms. I had a difficult time describing my symptoms, and seemed to get confused easily. (she also noticed this) It was much easier for her to read off a list and I would say “yes” or “no”. I seemed to have “all of the above” of the symptoms. To list a few of the many: dizziness, lightheadedness, pressure in head, confusion, tiredness, headaches, weakness, restricted activity, limited head movements, etc…. Then we did some tests. The first test was called posturography. This test was not my idea of fun. I stood in a machine that I can best describe as an earthquake simulator (another visual would be surfing on the ocean-waves moving one way, feet moving another).
Here is a picture:
http://www.isokineticsinc.com/mm5/capitalequip/neurocom/equitest.jpg
The walls and floor moved as I had to stand in a harnessed machine and try to stand still. Not to mention the walls were colored multiple colors- and were moving. Wow, it was horrible. The floorboard was computerized which detected the reaction time and the use of my muscles and nerves to calculate the amount of balance in my feet, ankles, and hips. I fell 3 times- yikes. Well I didn’t do very well. But, then again I am there for a reason and it only gets better from here!!!!
I will not have to do speak therapy. They had a fear that since I am officially deaf in one ear that I may need to relearn how to speak. Talking has never been an issue for me :) On a serious note I will say that it is often difficult to determine my tone and volume-especially when singing in church! They also determined my understanding and processing seems to be a little slow (no jokes!) I get confused easily. My Physical therapist said all of this makes sense and is all related to the surgery. My percentages are low at this point but she has high hopes that they will increase. She said I may never be 100% but who is after a major brain surgery?! She gave me vestibular exercises to continue working on each day. I will continue seeing her for 6 weeks and we will reevaluate with my medical team. So... once again I didn’t get the answers I wanted but nothing I didn’t expect. I am really pushing myself as much as I can (in a healthy way) b/c I am soooooo ready to be back to the old Kelley again!!!!!!!

I am still feeling worse then prior to my surgery, but in some situations this is common, unfortunate, but common. Yes there are many days when I ask myself… “Why did I have this surgery?” Those are my really bad days! (usually when Addison is crabby too!)
But I am doing the best I can. I am still home from work at this point. Going through some minor changes and I am not quite ready to get back to “crisis” mode yet. If any of you know what I do for my job you will totally understand. Some days can be pretty hectic!!
Take care
Kelley

6 weeks

I had my 6 week (actually 38 day) checkup with Dr. Herzog on Monday Aug. 22. I didn’t get any unexpected news, but then again I didn’t get any good news either. Dr. Herzog seemed a little disappointed that I had not been driving more but understood that my dizziness was still pretty moderate to severe for driving. He had me stand straight up while closing my eyes. I felt like a building in Chicago on a very windy day. It felt nearly impossible for me to stand without falling, although Clint said I didn’t look as bad as it felt. Dr. Herzog prescribed a specialized therapy at St. Luke’s. I should begin as soon as the office calls me with the start date.
I had my hearing test. The doctor seemed disappointed with the test results. I have lost all of my healthy hearing nerve in my left side which means I was officially diagnosed with 100% hearing loss in my left ear or “Single Sided Deafness”. My hearing cannot be restored on its own but there are two options.

The first option is a double hearing aid the is applied the back of both ears (not for me).

The second option is a BAHA implant or Bone anchored hearing aid. -Yes it sound intrusive and scary but it is only approximately a 2 hour procedure and I may go home that day. Dr. says I will probably only be out of work for 2 days. When I was at the office Dr. Herzog put a BAHA headband on my head. This device gave me the capability to hear out of my left ear. It was a miracle. It was like a blind person receiving the gift of sight for 10 seconds!!!! Its amazing how much we take our senses for granted. I have been without hearing in one ear for only 5 weeks and have forgotten how much dual audio impacts life. So remember when I promised myself I would never have any head surgery again…. That may change if I can hear once again!!
Dr. Herzog is giving Clint and I6 weeks to consider the BAHA, Considering I promised myself I would never let anyone touch my brain ever again!!! So we have a lot to think about.

Here are a few website to check out about BAHA- its so interesting:
Dr Herzogs website: http://www.stlouisear.com/baha.htm

and this is his(Dr. Herzog's) referral for BAHA resources: https://www.cochlearamericas.com/Products/2013.asp

Dr. Herzog thought the numbness in my leg could have been from the grounding patch during surgery. He was familiar with meralgia paresthetica but did not think it was from being on my side too long since my surgery was only about 4 hours. He believes the sensations should return soon.
My heightened taste buds are from the changes in my facial nerve during surgery. Dr. Herzog said this may take some time to return. He did not seem very concerned. The longer my taste buds are crazy, the longer I will stay away from soda!!! Back to a healthy lifestyle. See, there are good things that result in brain surgery!!!
In conclusion, I am doing well. I am really looking forward to getting back to normal, getting back to work, and moving on with my life. Although I still have a ways to go on my recovery and still need to take it slow and easy, I am ready to take a leap into the next step of recovery!!!! Watch out world, Healthy Kelley is coming out strong!!!