I haven’t updated in awhile…… I went for my follow up with Dr. Herzog. He prescribed 6 more weeks of Vestibular Rehabilitation. It doesn’t seem like I am progressing like everyone would like me to be. My test results from therapy do not show any improvement in some areas, but slight improvement in other areas. I have improved on my inner ear balance but some of my other sense of balances have decreased. I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Herzog after the first of the year to go over progress and “what to do from here“. He has sent a letter to my insurance requesting the BAHA(bone anchored hearing aid) procedure, and what my out of pocket will be. We have not officially decided if I am going to have the hearing aid implanted. It all depends on the cost.
I am still not back to work and trying everything in my power to keep busy!!! I am still unsure of a return date for work.
There was a lot discussed at my last appointment. Much of the conversations were “we will wait until therapy is completed”.
I went to therapy last week and my therapist, Missy, discovered I have enlarged lymph nodes on my left side (same side of the tumor). She brought a specialist over to look at my neck. They stated my left side is very swollen, and I would benefit from occupation therapy/ lymph node drainage therapy. Missy talked with Dr. Herzog, and he prescribed 6 weeks of OT.
Lymph node drainage therapy is very difficult to explain, seeing that I don’t fully understand it myself. The easiest way to understand is … there are certain spots that collect the body’s garbage. After my surgery, my left side “garbage collectors’ seems to be having a hard time releasing the garbage therefore they are building up and causing swelling, and pain. The really good news is some of the benefits from lymph node drainage therapy are: clearer thinking, less swelling, reduction in headaches, and balance stabilization. This doesn’t mean that this procedure is going to cure all of my side effects….. But why not give it a shot. I have had 2 sessions of OT-drainage therapy. Both times I have been nauseated, which is a side effect. The garbage is draining and unfortunately its draining to my stomach, therefore causes nausea.
I haven’t noticed any dramatic changes, but my OT says the second session was much better then the first (less swelling)
Another milestone I met was: playing catch with a ball (side to side, and overhead). I know this sounds funny but if you think about it… if a person is dizzy and unbalanced, seeing an object coming for a person’s body can throw them off. I also have a difficult time with hand/eye coordination b/c of the quick movements. BUT…….. I have been playing catch at home with Addison and Clint, and I can see a huge difference with practice.
So… keep the prayers coming!!!!!
Kelley