My condition is anything but cut and dry. I am triply disabled, and with each disability is a different set of deficits and conditions. It is an interwoven web of symptoms I am tediously attempting to untangle. However, to solve any problem, it must be clearly defined and stated.

Brain Surgery
My brain surgery has left me with a few of lingering issues:

  • Vertigo (unlike dizziness, the room spins)
  • Lack of balance (partly related to the vertigo, and a disconnect with my brain and body movement)
  • Double vision (my eyes spun about my sockets like out-of-synced pin balls, settling unaligned)
  • Memory deficits
  • Disrupted fine tuning skills (the aneurysm and AVM was in my small brain, which dictates motor skills and the ability to “dot I’s and cross T’s)
  • Inflammation of brain surgical site (which disrupts blood flow through blood vessels which contributes to vertigo)

Stroke
The resultant stroke during brain surgery left me with the following deficits:

  • Loss of hearing in right ear (not fixable)
  • Facial paralysis on the right side (my second surgery corrected the drooping, making my face more symmetrical, but I can only hope to regain functional movement)
  • Numbness on the right side of my head (not fixable)
  • Lack of coordination of right arm (less precision in using my dominant hand, which affects writing and handling objects)
  • Lack of coordination and weakness in right leg (affects balance and precision of foot, which makes walking/stepping difficult)

Chronic Pain
This is a byproduct of my facial surgery and labyrinthectomy, caused by changes in my central nervous system, which causes the following:

  • Extreme aches of my whole body
  • Joint pain
  • Disrupted sleep patterns (the pain often wakes me in the middle of the night)

Residual Symptoms/Ailments

  • Excessive tearing in right eye (result of platinum weight inserted in eyelid to help closure)
  • Scar on face and leg (results of facial surgery and tendon removal from thigh that was implanted in my cheek)
  • Fatigue (caused by traumatic brain injury, vertigo, chronic pain, and medications)
  • Weight gain (caused by steroids, lack of mobility, and lots of chocolate)
  • Depression (do I really need to explain?)
  • Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (previously diagnosed, but exacerbated by my recent physical traumas)

Now that the arduous task of stating all of my medical problems is over, now comes the really hard part: researching each condition, learning possible remedies, practicing proposed treatments, and evaluating its effectiveness.

I have embarked on a holistic journey, which has already proven to be extremely time consuming and physically exhausting. To date, have been practicing the following:

  • Nutrition plan
  • Physical therapy for my vestibular, balance, and chronic pain issues
  • Meditation
  • Neuropsychological therapy

Going forward, I will provide a detailed account of my overall wellness plan and progress, which ranges from diet to exercise to stress management techniques.

I want to provide a clear understanding to all of my conditions, as resources are scattered and sparse at best. As I have sought to understand more about vestibular issues, chronic pain issues, traumatic brain issues, implications of strokes, and possible treatments, I have found either overly convoluted medical speak or vague allusions for treatment.

While I am well aware most people reading this are dealing not with the litany or complexity of my illnesses, I want to provide a resource for holistic, healthy living regardless if you are suffering from one of these conditions or none of these conditions, as these practices can be utilized by any and all.

I have been writing this blog for the last year and a half, and the direction of my writings have shifted from primarily writing advice to a written account of my personal struggles, now it will focus on how I am trying to overcome my struggles. However, the essence of the blog remains the same: for the many, not the few.

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