It's been a couple of weeks since my last update. There has been some improvements with my recovery so I'll share them with you.
I decided to see just what I'm capable of balance wise so, what's the one thing I've spent the most time doing that requires good balance. Any one who has known me for a while knows it's skating. No pools or ramps yet, just the street. I'll save the vert for later.
Trick#1 Skateboarding
I was in Tucson for Christmas and rode my brother in laws skateboard and it felt very easy to do. I felt more "normal" riding a moving skateboard than standing still.I have a theory on this.
Trick#3
Now here's a fair warning to all. I'm driving. Dr. Brackmann gave me the OK to drive at my last appointment on December 22. He said take some short easy drives first, no freeways for a while. The next day Pam & I left to Yuma AZ. on our way to Tucson. She let me drive from Jucumba CA. to Yuma Az. About 150 miles. No problems. The next day we left for Tucson and I drove the first 200 miles. Again, no problem. I ended up driving all the way back so I guess I passed the test.
Work is 14 days away and I'm really looking forward to going back. You get bored not working, especially when you can't drive.
During surgery to remove the tumor, they have to cut out a section of one of your vestibular (balance) nerves from the brainstem. Because of it's removal you can't balance without concentrating . That includes just plain standing. Standing is something that you normally don't even have to think about doing, it's a sub-conscience act. After they remove the tumor you (at least temporarily) loose the ability to balance sub-consciencely. When skateboarding you always had to concentrate while riding your board. I believe this is not as big of a difference to your system and feels more normal then standing and even walking.
OK, here's my next trick #2. Riding a bike. This one's a bit harder to get the hang of. I first rode a couple of weeks ago, and once I maneuvered down the narrow driveway into the wide street it wasn't bad. The only real threat I had of crashing was when I had to turn my head around to see if any cars were coming from behind before I crossed the street while going down a hill. I can't trust my hearing as I once did. Turning my head from left to right quickly still throws of my balance off quite a bit, especially while rolling down a hill on a bicycle.
Trick#3Now here's a fair warning to all. I'm driving. Dr. Brackmann gave me the OK to drive at my last appointment on December 22. He said take some short easy drives first, no freeways for a while. The next day Pam & I left to Yuma AZ. on our way to Tucson. She let me drive from Jucumba CA. to Yuma Az. About 150 miles. No problems. The next day we left for Tucson and I drove the first 200 miles. Again, no problem. I ended up driving all the way back so I guess I passed the test.
Work is 14 days away and I'm really looking forward to going back. You get bored not working, especially when you can't drive.
So to sum it up.
Pain- Just a little around the suture area and some occasional pressure from the temple area.
Balance- Getting better. Still act as if I just downed a 6 pack at times.
Vision- Im back to normal (except when I'm having a pressure headache in the temple area).
Hearing- There's annoying tinnitus when things are quiet. Loud rooms with a lot of people are the most dreaded places for me to be. I can only hear the loudest noise so if your talking to me keep that in mind. My hearing is the most challenging thing for me to get used to since my surgery.
Mike
