Vanderbilt Visit this Week - From Lauren
In support of
Lauren Cassady Smith
View Support Registry
Lauren Cassady Smith
Hi everyone - this is going to be a long one, but also a good one!
I have a few really amazing updates from this week. I had four appointments on Monday at Vanderbilt starting at 6am. It was incredibly hard walking in the building and having my CT scan - so many really hard memories. I was so incredibly grateful for the support of Karen T and very kind nurses at each and every point. Every single one of my clots has reduced in size and cannulated (meaning they all have blood flow through them now). My neurosurgeon was very surprised at that much improvement. Although I had been nervous about receiving the results, I ultimately was not surprised. I truly believe that the love, support, conventional medicine, and alternative therapies have helped me heal faster and better than I would have without all that support.
At Vanderbilt I also had a repeat hearing test which documented what I already knew - I no longer have any hearing in my right ear and that likely will not return. Thankfully, I will likely be able to work with some new hearing aid technology so that this does not have an impact on my day to day life - my kids will no longer be able to get away with whispering under their breath at me - HA!
On Tuesday I was able to go to my first PT appointment, which was at a comprehensive specialist. They were able to determine that I did not in fact have any remaining vestibular balance issues! All of my unsteadiness is due to vision challenges resulting from my surgeries. I no longer have to use my cane inside, just outdoors or in crowds, as my vision improves.
On Wednesday I saw an amazing neuro ophthalmologist who was able to help me understand exactly what was going on with my eyes. Once a week vision therapy should correct it in 6-8 weeks. Hopefully I will be driving and returning to work in the next two months!!
This experience has been more than I could have ever predicted. It got really scary and there were truly points where my family and I did not know the outcome. There were really hard discussions about the all too real "what ifs." To be on the other side, with truly minimal lasting effects (even the loss of hearing feels minimal), feels nothing short of a miracle. I am beyond grateful for each and everyone of you and the support you all have provided in so many different ways.
I have held a vision of what it will feel like to be completely healed - me easily doing yoga on a paddle board and the sun shining on me, sometime in August. I likely won't post anything here anymore, although maybe we could all have a party at the lake and do some paddle boarding together, so stay open to the possibility of another announcement around then!
Thank you, thank you, thank you again - with all the gratitude in my heart!
I have a few really amazing updates from this week. I had four appointments on Monday at Vanderbilt starting at 6am. It was incredibly hard walking in the building and having my CT scan - so many really hard memories. I was so incredibly grateful for the support of Karen T and very kind nurses at each and every point. Every single one of my clots has reduced in size and cannulated (meaning they all have blood flow through them now). My neurosurgeon was very surprised at that much improvement. Although I had been nervous about receiving the results, I ultimately was not surprised. I truly believe that the love, support, conventional medicine, and alternative therapies have helped me heal faster and better than I would have without all that support.
At Vanderbilt I also had a repeat hearing test which documented what I already knew - I no longer have any hearing in my right ear and that likely will not return. Thankfully, I will likely be able to work with some new hearing aid technology so that this does not have an impact on my day to day life - my kids will no longer be able to get away with whispering under their breath at me - HA!
On Tuesday I was able to go to my first PT appointment, which was at a comprehensive specialist. They were able to determine that I did not in fact have any remaining vestibular balance issues! All of my unsteadiness is due to vision challenges resulting from my surgeries. I no longer have to use my cane inside, just outdoors or in crowds, as my vision improves.
On Wednesday I saw an amazing neuro ophthalmologist who was able to help me understand exactly what was going on with my eyes. Once a week vision therapy should correct it in 6-8 weeks. Hopefully I will be driving and returning to work in the next two months!!
This experience has been more than I could have ever predicted. It got really scary and there were truly points where my family and I did not know the outcome. There were really hard discussions about the all too real "what ifs." To be on the other side, with truly minimal lasting effects (even the loss of hearing feels minimal), feels nothing short of a miracle. I am beyond grateful for each and everyone of you and the support you all have provided in so many different ways.
I have held a vision of what it will feel like to be completely healed - me easily doing yoga on a paddle board and the sun shining on me, sometime in August. I likely won't post anything here anymore, although maybe we could all have a party at the lake and do some paddle boarding together, so stay open to the possibility of another announcement around then!
Thank you, thank you, thank you again - with all the gratitude in my heart!
Comments
Lindsaywblock
Dcloftis
Nadia Stefansson
Thirstyfrog
Irene.vanderels
Archwahoo
Sarah Mastriani-Levi
Nancy Akins
Tiffwaves
Lynn Britton
Emilyvbohn