D and I were able to speak with my Dr and receive very specific instructions on each of the dives I will be taking beginning a few minutes from now. I am anticipating really positive results.
Let me give you an insider’s look at the Radiologist’s findings that D and I and my Dr discussed this morning: “This is an abnormal brain SPECT study that also demonstrates focal areas of abnormal cortical hypoperfusion in the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and cerebellar lobes as previously described. The nature, location, and pattern of these abnormalities is primarily consistent with the scientific literature pertaining to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the patient’s clinical history.”
In terms that each of us can understand, the areas of decreased bloodflow throughout my brain is consistent with a traumatic brain injury.
To all of the naysayers and others who have not understood how a bump on the forehead can be all that bad: YES, MY FELLOWS, THE FALL AT WORK DID DAMAGE MY BRAIN!
I am in my chamber and it is filling up with pressurized air. I am sitting in my zero gravity chair. D opened the blinds in the window closest to my side viewing window so I have plenty of light. The gauge is hardly moving. I have yawned a few times already as I am noticing slight cabin pressure. O look, the gauge has moved a tiny bit. I have a cool towel around my neck and the air beside me is slightly cool. D submerged the air tubing in ice water! My Dr. recommended it. Good call. Its minimally comfortable in here. I can’t imagine being in a smaller chamber.
We had to adjust things and start all over. We are having trouble with the inside zipper not completely closing. I’m touching the walls and wondering how they can take such pressure. The wonders of technology!
My daily schedule is 90 minutes in a 1.3 psi dive. I am to use the oxygen mask/cannula for 15 minutes with a 5 minute break 4X through the dive. My Dr recommends that I take my dives when I notice that my dizziness or headaches or blurred vision is increasing.
So here I sit waiting for my chamber to fully inflate. Am I sitting in a upside down kiddy pool without water in it? Am I preparing for the countdown to be launched into outer space? Or am I taking my recovery into my own hands and hoping and praying that this is a treatment that will benefit me and others? I prefer the last question. I hope you do too!
Let’s take this journey together. I need your support just as much as I hope that what I document will benefit others in their journey of recovery.
Day One…quoting one of my favorites, Mr Porky Pig, “Th-Th-The, Th-Th-The, Th-Th… That’s all, folks!”
Suzanne
Suzanne's LiveWell Blog 