I TOOK A FIELD TRIP TODAY. Not the fun sort like my granddaughter, Isabelle, took Thursday to see a performance of “The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare” at the Ordway in St. Paul. Rather mine was into the outdoors, outside a physical therapy office in Faribault.
Friday marked my seventh vestibular rehab therapy session with Ryan at Courage Kenny. I started weekly therapy in mid April after being diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis and Meniere’s Disease. These are complex diagnoses which affect the vestibular system in my right ear. (Click here to read an earlier blog post that details my many symptoms.) Basically, therapy is retraining my brain to handle the deficiencies I’m now experiencing due to damage to my eighth vestibular nerve. And to think this all started with a viral infection in January.
Back to today. Typically I meet with my physical therapist in a small room where we review my symptoms and progress and I learn, and practice, new exercises. Last week we ventured into a long hallway so I could walk back and forth, moving my head from side to side and then up and down. I didn’t do so well, veering to the left and into the wall. But I practiced at home all week, as I do all exercise homework Ryan assigns, and I felt I was doing better. I am determined to do everything I can to reclaim my life, or at least some version of what life was before these health issues.
OK, WE’RE TAKING THIS OUTSIDE
Then Ryan announced we were going outside to try this walking and head turning activity on the sidewalk. I started out not so well, again steering left. Being outdoors added sensory input I wasn’t used to experiencing inside a small room. This exposed me to a real world environment. One with chirping birds and traffic and people crossing the parking lot and trees and clouds. Just a whole lot for my brain to try and manage. Once I’d semi-managed the sidewalk, we moved onto the lawn. Another new landscape to take in while I moved my head and attempted to walk a straight line.
That was my field trip. A change-up from a controlled environment. My ability to handle my symptoms has assuredly improved with therapy as Ryan nudges me to push myself more. And I am. I’m out and about some now, trying to do things I once didn’t think twice about doing. Trips to the grocery store, big box stores, a walk in the park, doing photography, simply being among people. It’s not always easy, especially when symptoms flare. Sometimes I fail. I recognize my limits. That includes time on the computer. Too much online time and my head begins to hurt, my vision blurs, I see double. Because of that, I’ve been publishing fewer blog posts.
YES, IT REALLY IS IN MY HEAD
Yesterday my dear friend Beth Ann, whom I met when she lived in Iowa but who now lives in North Carolina, blogged about vestibular neuritis/neuronitis. I had no idea she was going to write this and then designate the Vestibular Disorders Association as the beneficiary of her monthly “Comments for a Cause” project. (Please click here to read Beth Ann’s well-written, informative blog post.)
Each month Beth Ann chooses a different group or nonprofit to feature and support with a financial gift. I was humbled by her desire to increase awareness of vestibular issues. And, bonus, she enlightened me about the Vestibular Disorders Association which, at quick glance, will be a valuable resource as I navigate my diagnoses. I feel validated just scrolling through the website, like I want to shout, “This is real! This isn’t just in my head. It really, truly is in my head!”
GOING TO CHINA WITHOUT GOING TO CHINA
Earlier this week I endured an MRI per my neurologist’s orders to assure nothing else is going on inside my brain besides the already-known. I get results on Wednesday. He’s confident nothing additional will be found and I hope he’s right. While in that machine for an hour trying to manage the blasts of overpowering noise (I’m hypersensitive to sensory input), I remembered Ryan’s advice to “dig deep” to get through the procedure. I think I dug a hole all the way to China.
Next week I will need to dig deep again to get through another hearing test, followed by an appointment with the ENT given persistent, intermittent ear pain and more. I’m documenting my symptoms (once a reporter, always a reporter). And I’m hoping for answers as I press onward, preferring not to travel internationally again.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You haven’t lost your way with words or ability to connect many wide-ranging dots into a meaningful post. Hoping your test results will continue to be pointing to your recovery.
Thank you, Bernadette. Mine is a learning to live with and manage my symptoms rather than recovery. I appreciate your care and compassion.
You are definitely making progress and clearly have a strong will. It seems that you are very realistic about it, following all directions, learning as much as you can, and sharing it with others. It’s clear that you’ve never ceased to be a journalist and are helping others by sharing your story with others. What a warrior-
Thank you, Beth, for appreciating how hard I’m working and how I desire to inform others. There’s always something good that comes from struggles.
We are definitely related. I have trigeminal neuralgia. I have a nerve that has its mylin wrapping dissolving and when the artery which is near it throbs, sometimes getting too close, I would get a lightening bolt through my head. I had surgery where they placed a titanium piece between the artery and the nerve which stopped the bolts of lightening. Now I just have to deal with the sounds. So similar problems and many people I worked with didn’t believe me. I learned a lot about people. Just take things easy and keep breathing deeply. Take care.
Lynn, thank you for your empathy. I am so sorry you have to also deal with an unusual health issue that few people understand. I’m thankful you got some relief via surgery. I appreciate your encouragement as I continue on this journey. Be well, and you take care, too.
You’ve surely given your readers a sampling of what vestibular neuronitis is like as you described the therapy field trip outside. I’m betting many of us are thinking of what that would be like and if we hear from someone with similar symptoms, we will be much more understanding. Many wishes and prayers for continued recovery.
That is my hope that others can learn and that grows compassion. Today I tried dining out and it did not go well. My brain could not handle all of the noise inside the restaurant and my symptoms began flaring. So we moved to the patio. That helped a bit. But then all the other sensory input of being outdoors, around others who were talking, etc. caused me to feel even worse. I ate half my meal and then I said, “I really need to leave.” It wasn’t until this evening that I finally felt better. It was a rough day that started out well with grocery shopping and stopping at a garage sale. I’m hopeful tomorrow will be better.
I love how determined you are to work through this. My goodness. Prayers continue!!!!
I definitely need prayers. Today was a rough day.
We of the Kletscher Klan have to stick together. I remember that my mother had such terrible headaches,also. I hope this isn’t genetic. I have been watching my daughter and hoping she or her daughters don’t have to suffer through these issues. Please hang in there yourself. I believe in you.
Lynn, I, too, hope your health issues are not genetic. I understand your concern for your family. My vestibular neuronitis and Meniere’s Disease are the results of damage caused by viruses. I’m trying to hang in there. But today was an especially difficult one.
This was so informative. The way you have documented and explained what you are experiencing is truly a gift of understanding for us who have never heard of this condition. I have always believed that there are people who “live” their conditions and those who manage to “live with” their conditions through hard work. Hang in there!🤗
Paula, I am trying to follow your strong example of “those who manage to live with their conditions through hard work.” Thank you for being such an encourager to me.
I really know how hard it must be to re-train your brain to see things as they are. Good thing you have a wonderful support system of family and health care professionals.
A support system is so important. Randy was right by my side yesterday when I was doing my therapy exercises outdoors at the State Academy for the Deaf. He’s been incredibly loving and understanding through all of this. And our oldest daughter, especially, checks in with me daily and just found a newly-published book about vestibular neuritis. Another friend found a support website. And my sister-in-law, who suffered two concussions and has gone through similar experiences and therapy, has been a truly empathetic support. As have you!
😊
I don’t know how many times I’ve told myself this , but when things are bad I tell myself , take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and. think of your wonderful days or a cottonwood tree or a peony plant. Let it go. You have people who love you. Never forget that.
Lynn, thank you. I appreciate your encouragement. Today WAS much better than yesterday. And I even saw several peony plants while at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf doing my walking-head turning therapy exercises on the lawn and sidewalk. My therapist wants me outside, away from the safety of my home, in a different and open environment with more sensory input (to build my tolerance). Randy had to catch me only once.
I remember practicing walking while turning your head. I too listed to the left. I was thankful I have that hallway in my house to use at first as something comforting to hold on to. When my therapist had me walk backwards doing that I reminded her. “That’s what caused the fall and concussion in the first place!” However, she walked beside me and knew that is was a simple fear I had to overcome. It’s so humbling to have to practice things we once took for granted, however, know that it gets easier. Our brains are amazing organs and we can retrain them to do a lot of things. Hang in there! You will get up north to see the loons soon.
Perhaps we can walk down the driveway together – looking right and left, up and down at the pines and reminisce about how we had to practice that simple task!
I told Ryan on Friday that my goal is to get to the cabin. And, yes, we can walk down the driveway together (as long as the bears aren’t crossing simultaneously). After yesterday’s rough day, I needed to read your encouraging words. Thank you for being so empathic. BTW, I have no plans to mention walking backwards to Ryan and I hope he doesn’t think of it. 🙂
I’m glad today was better. When I said cottonwood tree, I meant hearing the breeze through the leaves of a big cottonwood tree. That could always calm me down.May tomorrow be just as good!
Lynn, once again, you boost my spirits. Thank you! That’s a gift. I hope you have a “feeling good” day also.
You’ve got this, Audrey! Keep plugging away. I am cheering you
On from NC.
Thank you, Beth Ann, for encouraging me. This is a big week with lots of medical appointments and maybe some answers and more plans of action.
Audrey – I am sorry that you are experiencing difficulty with your inner ear. So glad that you are progressing and feeling more comfortable in different environments. Thinking of you!
Thank you, Jill. I’m trying to manage this. Yesterday was a good day. Today, mixed. The day prior, pretty bad. Even within a day I can feel good part of the day, not so good the other. I managed a hearing test and dental cleaning without too much difficulty today. But meeting with a financial advisor for 1.5 hours proved overwhelming. Too much conversation and need to listen intently caused my head to hurt, pain around my eyes and fatigue.
Your word for today is PERSEVERANCE – continue the work my friend – you are making strides. Take Care (((((loveandhugs)))))
That’s a good word, PERSEVERANCE, all in caps. Thanks for your encouragement. Today was a good day.
I’m catching up on my blog reading, Audrey.
🙂
I like that phrase “continued recovery” in that comment.
It is an ongoing process for sure. Some days are good for me, others not so much. I try to feel grateful for the times when I do feel well.