The Colon Club

So yesterday I was mildly (i.e. "regular") dizzy/off-balance, as compared to the way I felt on Tuesday. Today I feel somewhere in between how I felt - not as bad as Tuesday, butt a little more dizzy than yesterday. Still able to drive myself, though I try not to change lanes as turning my head increases the dizziness.

Tomorrow I meet with the neurosurgeon. I'm hoping he can alleviate some of my fears. From reading up on whole brain radiation, it seems the weeks following it (I'm just now into my 3rd post-rad week) you can experience symptoms like those of the tumor, due to brain swelling, and / or because dead tumor cells take longer to clear from the brain, due to there not being lymphatic drainage up there. Naturally, my greatest fear is that the radiation didn't work, etc.

I'll get my PET scan results on Monday from my onc, and I'm still coordinating a consultation with MD Anderson.

Butt like I say every day, "Not like this, and not today!"

Hi, AnneClare

We haven't "met" because I am new to these boards. I have been thinking about you lately. I am not a doctor and have no experience with brain radiation. I have however had benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It sounds similar to what you are describing, especially with turning your head. Is it worth asking your doctor if there is even the slightest chance this could be coincidental BPPV? Could those radiation treatments have broken loose a couple of crystals in your inner ear?

Sorry for the armchair doctoring. Please stick with your experts and I hope you feeling better and better with each passing day.

Been reading your posts and rooting for you!

My heart goes out to you, you are giving it hell right back and doing an admirable job.

Good luck tomorrow, I will be thinking of you.

AnnClare:
It is always a pleasure to see a post from you. Invariably, I learn some new wisdom or insight in your postings.

I know that driving is a vital aspect of independence, but I urge you to consider using Lyft or Uber to chauffeur you from point A to point B while vertigo and ataxia remain problematic.

I relinquished driving about a year ago. It was the right decision. I keep my driver's license current but have not been behind the wheel owing to low blood pressure and momentary loss of consciousness episodes (I took "down" a row of recycling bins while driving along the road where I live and later had a fender bender with a large truck. Mind you, I had never had a single moving violation or even minor mishap). It all transpired in the blink of an eye. What if I had hit a small child?

Give thought to using Lyft or Uber until your symptoms are better understood. You may hate me for suggesting this, and if so I apologize for butting in and commenting.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending positive karma that your neurosurgeon is attentive and respectful in addressing your questions and needs and that you can feel a smidgen better with each day.
- K -

All the very best for tomorrow. It will hopefully give you reassurance .
Take care,
Court

No words of wisdom, butt I'm thinking of you and your DH, AnnClare.
Best Wishes,
peanut

AnnClare,

All the best tomorrow. Please let us know how it goes. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for good news tomorrow.

One day at a time.

Always, one of your fellow "ass kickers"

Lee