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