Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Starting today, I'm going to be sharing videos from my brain surgery recovery. Every day or every other day, you will get a glimpse into the day-to-day of brain surgery recovery from vestibular nerve section and craniotomy. In editing these videos, its been exciting to see the change I've experienced over time. So let's all time-travel back to June 2023! Get in your Delorean, buckle your seat belt and turn on the flux capacitor!
16 - 5
Most people are dumbfounded to hear that vertigo is part of the recovery process from the Vestibular Nerve Section (brain surgery) for Meniere’s.
Isn’t debilitating vertigo WHY I had surgery?
Yes.
And the surgery made it worse?!
Yes.
But the post-surgery vertigo is expected. In fact, my neurotologist (Meneiere’s doctor) who cut my vestibular nerve said that if I didn’t have vertigo like this post-op, he would’ve consider the surgery a failure. The fact the vertigo got severe means the surgery was successful!
Why? Well when the surgeon cut the right vestibular (balance) nerve that connected my right ear to my brain, my brain noticed. My entire life up until this surgery, my brain received balance/vestibular information from my right ear and relied on it to help me know where I was in space.
Suddenly, it had a permanent loss of signal because of this surgery. My brain didn’t have all the info it needed without that balance/vestibular input from my right ear. So I got severe vertigo and imbalance.
Currently, 3.75 months post-op, my brain is learning to compensate by using the input it gets from the healthy left ear. In every situation, I encounter, it has to learn how to keep me balanced and learn where I am in space. The more I put my brain in new and challenging situations, the more it has to figure out how to function in those situations. The learning is a good thing.
Movement, noise stimulation, sound stimulation, light changes are all variables that my brain has to adjust to. The more stimulation, the harder it is for my brain and the worse the vertigo and imbalance get.
I’m still in vestibular physical therapy, and in addition to weekly outpatient IV infusions and doctor appointments, I’m starting to go to other places to challenge my vestibular system.
My brain is learning how to operate differently than it had all my life, which is so impressive. It’s hard and I’m wiped out after these outings as it’s a workout for my brain. But I’m determined.
Vertigo will be 100% gone at some point. It is possible imbalance will persist. Time will tell.
Whatever you are battling today, you are not alone. And if it was a rotten day, here is a hug.🫂💜
25 - 10
When you are fighting a battle or climbing a mountain, there are times when you can look around and take stock of where you are and there are other times when all you can do is keep going.
I’m in a part of my journey where all I can do is keep going. I can’t look around and evaluate it. I just keep going. Just keep fighting. Just keep warrioring on.
There will be another day where I can stop and look at exactly what is happening. Where I can report back and say this is how things are. But right now, all I have - all my strength - is going to climbing this mountain. I can’t evaluate it or process it. Im just doing it.
I’m keeping on keeping on. Im present in today. I am doing what I gotta do whether that is rest or vestibular PT.
Im living the life I have right now and appreciating people and cherishing sunsets and finding joy in BTS and cuddling my woofs — same as always. 💜
Vlogs will continue to be very behind real time. Thank you for your love, care, concern and support!!! I truly appreciate you.
#craniotomy #craniotomyrecovery #vestibularnervesection #brainsurgeryrecovery #brainsurgery #vertigo #chronicwarrior #vestibulartherapy #physicaltherapy
28 - 8
Hello Warriors! I have just posted a video from before brain surgery of pre admission testing called “she insisted I have a brain tumor.” I will be posting slowly and get to current day, I promise!!
Current update is I am still healing. I attend vestibular and physical therapy. Still dealing with vertigo and imbalance but I’ve seen a lot of improvement and will continue to do so. Surgeon told me at a post-surgery appointment that vertigo will go away completely because surgery was successful -so that is very exciting. It is just a matter of my brain re-learning how to function vestibularly without connection to my right ear where the surgeon cut the vestibular nerve.
Thinking of you all and hope to hear how you are doing too! 💜You are not alone.
30 - 17
Hi, it’s Kelly! 🎉 I’ve completely taken all of my social media back from Shanna who so wonderfully kept you updated for me. 🙏🏼
Thank you all for being there for me in so many ways and so supportive. I have felt so loved and I have soaked it in and thrived in it. 🥰 You all have absolutely helped me continue to climb this mountain. 💪🏼
Brain surgery (craniotomy & vestibular nerve section) and recovery have been tougher than I anticipated. Vertigo and imbalance have been debilitating while the muscles in my head that were cut have caused their own havoc. I’ll give a more detailed update/explanation in my next post, but my doctors are happy with my progress and where I am currently in my recovery even though it’s still quite rough.
Your support has been essential and has propelled me forward, climbing upward through all of it. I was so overwhelmed by the gifts. And soooo touched by the messages, comments and texts. You can’t even imagine how much they keep me going. I’m serious. Shanna read them to me when I couldn’t read and it reminded I was not alone. It will take me some time but I will get around to replying to everyone.
Regardless of how hard this is, I’m on a good path. My brain and body will heal in time. Life will change for me. I’m on the road and I’m so thankful. I’ve just gotta keep warrioring through this season.
I get to experience beautiful sunsets almost every day and be loved on by the bestest dogs. And there are no words fit for how wonderful my parents have been.
I love you all. You are not alone. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not either. ❤️❤️❤️
46 - 12
Hello #teamkelly! Thank you for your patience with the updates and a huge thank you to everyone who reached out and was checking in on Kelly. It’s amazing to see so many of you in messages, comments and likes who care for her. I read her your messages and send your love. It means the world so please keep it all coming! Things are still a daily challenge. The vertigo is hanging on tight and so is the nausea. We are hopeful that Vestibular Therapy will be helpful. Kelly talked about what that would be like and having met her therapist in advance in some of her surgery YouTube videos. Please keep her in your thoughts and do all the things… candles, prayers, incense, positive vibes, whatever you’re inclined to do it’s love and that’s what she needs. As she would say…remember, you’re not alone. We love you. Big hugs 🤗
💜💪🏻🙏🏻🕯️ -Shanna
28 - 17
My friends, this update is difficult. Kelly’s communication has been very limited. Very. All I have right now from her is “migraine vertigo nausea severe”. Please keep her in your thoughts.
🕯️🙏🏻💜-Shanna
28 - 12
My lovely friends, the vertigo is worse… WORSE!?! It breaks my heart. She sends her love to all of you. 🤗 Hugs all around.
-Shanna 🕯️🙏🏻💪🏻🫶🏻🤟🏻
23 - 18
Things are hard. It’s a struggle. Keep Kelly in your hearts please. Please. 💜
-Shanna
25 - 5
One week post-Vestibular Nerve Section! Today I’d like to share a few links with you. I’ve been asked a few times by a few people how they can help Kelly and her family during this difficult time. I have put together some items on an Amazon registry which would allow some food and snacks to be bought for her, some treats, food and toys for her boys, and some comfort items. We all know Kelly loves BTS so they made it too. There is also the option to send gift cards. You can buy Kelly a whole meal buy purchasing a gift certificate from PaleoOnTheGo.com and having it sent straight to my email shannameade@gmail.com and I will get her meals ordered. Another option of support is purchasing from her merch store which is linked in her “about” section. I don’t want anyone to feel any pressure please. We are all so very grateful for the kindness that’s been shown, the love, prayers, candle lighting, words…all of it. We love you all. Thank you so much!
💜💜💜💜💜 -Shanna
Incredible Anyway - Amazon Gift List - www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/19UY57T0FG…
20 - 7
I'm determined to live an incredible life no matter what happens to me. In my videos, I share my life with chronic health issues, disability, and a service dog. I’m transparent about the wonderful and the challenges.
I had brain surgery recently. And I warrior through Meniere's disease, Psoriatic Arthritis, Chronic Migraine, PTSD, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia ,& Psoriasis.
Whatever you are going through, you are not alone.
Live Incredible Anyway
Kelly
Merch : incredibleanyway.creator-spring.com