After a long day yesterday, a little down time in the motel and a good nights sleep I started this morning with the vestibular therapy session at 8AM. Before starting the therapy he told me that 92% of the vestibular nerve on the left is damaged, leaving only 8% to try to communicate with the right side of my brain. Any wonder I am having problems with balance. It is amazing how observant the therapist was and picked up on the major problems I was having with my balance in standing and walking. We went through about 6 exercises & tips to start with to train my brain on the right side to compensate for the deficit on the left. I "quickly" started doing the things he told me because I am ready to get my brain "trained"!! He said I should see significant improvement in about a month. I will be looking for a PT in our area but if I can't find one I can call him for more exercises. The exercises are simple and short in duration but should be very effective. He said the biggest mistake I can make is to "over due". That doesn't sound like me, does it??
The second appointment was very interesting in the Behavioral Medicine Clinic. (Psychology and Psyciatry). I really was hesitant to keep that appointment but was glad I did. It is part of the diagnosing and team concept in patient care. I talked with the PhD psychologist; he was very pleasant and very informative. He had reviewed my file and the testing I had yesterday along with the doctors notes from the Dizziness and Imbalance clinic. After reviewing the questionaire I filled out and speaking to him, he is certain I do not have CSD; part of yesterday's diagnosis. That is good news because I don't have this cycle to break. Gotta love having so many eyes looking over my case! Monday is my last appointment with Dr Eggars, the neurologist. I still have the issue of the continuous pain on my left side.
It is so uplifting to have so many praying and helping me through this journey. God has blessed my greatly!
Is. 41:13 For I am the Lord your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says, " Do not fear; I will help you."
Blessings to all,
Jeanne
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Big day at Mayo
We made it safely to Mayo Monday afternoon. We went as far as Sioux Falls Friday and spent the weekend with our friends Dick and Lois Howard. Had a fabulous time with them. Left Monday morning in a snow storm and poor Skip had to drive the entire way in snow and ugly road conditions. Praise God that we made it with no mishaps.
We spent the entire day today testing! It started with a hearing test (I passed ~ no problems), next was the balance test. Its just what it is, testing my balance in this half circle machine. I even had a harness on to keep me from falling. It tells them what part of the balance system I am relying on. Next was the rotary-chair; it went in an arc, circle, in the light, in the dark. I had these lovely goggles on which kept track of my eye movements while the chair did its thing. The last one was an ENG which records the interaction of the eye movement and inner ear. That was the most unpleasant one. All these tests took about 3 1/2 hours. We then had the consulatation with Dr. Shepard, the head of the Imbalance and Dizziness Clinic. The diagnosis: my vestibular nerve is severely damaged, it does not repair itself. He thinks it was damaged during the first embolization and probably further damage occured during the second. Because the vestibular nerve is the balance mechanism for the left side it is sending mixed signals to my brain, thus the imbalance. He also said I have 2 out of the 4 criteria suggesting I am having migraines. The official diagnosis, from his clinic, is chronic subjective dizziness (CSD). He is saying the pain I am experiencing on the left ,is part of the migraines and that my brain has "trained" itself to be off balance. Movement triggers the headaches and the mixed signals and I am stuck in this cycle. I will start vestibular therapy tomorrow and, if all goes the way it as they expect, I should see improvement in a few weeks with the expectation that I will be back to "normal" within 3 months. I will always have a problem with turning my head to the left quickly because of the damage. I have more testing tomorrow and then the final consultation with the neurologist on Monday, Februay 28th. There could be more components to this, but this is the diagnosis as of today.
Until the next post: Ps. 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Please continue to pray for a complete and accurate diagnosis.
Blessings to all,
Jeanne
We spent the entire day today testing! It started with a hearing test (I passed ~ no problems), next was the balance test. Its just what it is, testing my balance in this half circle machine. I even had a harness on to keep me from falling. It tells them what part of the balance system I am relying on. Next was the rotary-chair; it went in an arc, circle, in the light, in the dark. I had these lovely goggles on which kept track of my eye movements while the chair did its thing. The last one was an ENG which records the interaction of the eye movement and inner ear. That was the most unpleasant one. All these tests took about 3 1/2 hours. We then had the consulatation with Dr. Shepard, the head of the Imbalance and Dizziness Clinic. The diagnosis: my vestibular nerve is severely damaged, it does not repair itself. He thinks it was damaged during the first embolization and probably further damage occured during the second. Because the vestibular nerve is the balance mechanism for the left side it is sending mixed signals to my brain, thus the imbalance. He also said I have 2 out of the 4 criteria suggesting I am having migraines. The official diagnosis, from his clinic, is chronic subjective dizziness (CSD). He is saying the pain I am experiencing on the left ,is part of the migraines and that my brain has "trained" itself to be off balance. Movement triggers the headaches and the mixed signals and I am stuck in this cycle. I will start vestibular therapy tomorrow and, if all goes the way it as they expect, I should see improvement in a few weeks with the expectation that I will be back to "normal" within 3 months. I will always have a problem with turning my head to the left quickly because of the damage. I have more testing tomorrow and then the final consultation with the neurologist on Monday, Februay 28th. There could be more components to this, but this is the diagnosis as of today.
Until the next post: Ps. 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Please continue to pray for a complete and accurate diagnosis.
Blessings to all,
Jeanne
Monday, February 7, 2011
Mayo Appointments
Thank you all for praying; God is Good! I got a call from Dawn, the person who sets up all the appointments for the Dizziness and Imbalance Clinic. Anyway, God does make a way and she was able to get me an appointment for Feb. 22nd and 23rd. I will meet with Dr. Shephard on the 23rd after I have had some testing done. Then on Feb. 28th I will have a consulation with the neurologist. We will have to stay a few extra days; otherwise I would have had to wait until the end of April.
Please pray that when I (we) talk with the doctors that I can be clear and concise with my symptons, give details and that I (we) listen and hear what the doctors are saying. Also, please pray that God goes before me and the doctors to help us find the answer and solution. I'm so looking forward to being "myself" again! I continue to trust in God's goodness, He has brought me thus far.
Ps. 18: 2-3 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength in Whom I will trust.....
Blessings,
Jeanne
Please pray that when I (we) talk with the doctors that I can be clear and concise with my symptons, give details and that I (we) listen and hear what the doctors are saying. Also, please pray that God goes before me and the doctors to help us find the answer and solution. I'm so looking forward to being "myself" again! I continue to trust in God's goodness, He has brought me thus far.
Ps. 18: 2-3 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength in Whom I will trust.....
Blessings,
Jeanne
Friday, February 4, 2011
Today's call to Mayo
I called Mayo again this afternoon and talked with Dawn, the same person I talked to on Monday. She said the Dr. was reading my case and she would have the appointments he wants her to make by Monday. The Dr. does want me to see a specific neurologist and at this time it wouldn't be until the end of April to get an appointment with him. However, she said she would do everything she could to make it sooner! She will call Monday afternoon to let me know. Perseverance and persistence.
I will trust God that He is going before me and will work it out perfectly. Thanks for continuing to pray.
Blessings,
Jeanne
I will trust God that He is going before me and will work it out perfectly. Thanks for continuing to pray.
Blessings,
Jeanne
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Still Waiting
We sent all the information to Mayo a week ago Tuesday and they received it on Wednesday. I called them on Monday to find out where and what the status of my case. I was told that a Dr. Shephard was looking over the case but didn't have any idea when I would get an appointment. The lady I talked to said to call at the end of the week if we hadn't heard. So, I guess I will give them a call tomorrow to see if they have a date. I'll keep you posted!
Is. 40:31....but those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I appreciate your continued prayers.
Blessings,
Jeanne
Is. 40:31....but those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I appreciate your continued prayers.
Blessings,
Jeanne
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