I had major brain surgery May 2015 for a golf ball size meningioma brain tumor in the front left part of my skull. It couldn’t be totally removed because it is pressed against the carotid artery and there was some interference with some optical nerves. Reading a few ideas to help memory issues like reading, writing and crossword puzzles made me want to share my therapy with everyone. It was around 2 years after surgery that one of my doctors noticed the problem and sent me to the right person for the help I needed. I was actually seeing this doctor for carpal tunnel testing and ended up having surgery on both hands. But while he was testing me he noticed my memory problem and gave me a simple test. Afterwards he said I would like you to see a therapist for your memory problem, I know he can help you. I was so happy to hear that and agreed. I was set up with 6 once a week one hour sessions. I was immediately given a few tests which would show how where my condition was on the scale. Before surgery it would have been so easy to do these tests but after it was nearly impossible. The first test, a sheet of paper that had the alphabet in random order all over and I had to draw a line from
A – B – C and so on. But it took me close to 3 or 4 minutes to finish it. The next test was the almost the same, the alphabet only now numbers were added. So it was A-1 – B-2 – C-3. It took me close to five minutes to do it and that was with the therapist helping me. I started crying, it was starting to give me a headache! My therapist gave me a few games to play and they worked so awesome I had memories from a past life!!!! LOL Just kidding!! They worked great!! One day my boyfriend and I were out for a ride and he saw a truck for sale he was interested in. The first thing I looked at was the sign. Was there an asking price, no but I did see the phone number. The next day he said I wish we would have stopped for that phone number on the truck we saw yesterday. I immediately gave him the phone number. He said what’s that? I said that’s the phone number that was on the truck. He said I don’t think you remembered the number from yesterday. I said I did, those games have made a huge difference on what I can remember now!! He said I don’t think that much of a difference, I said humor me, call the number. If it’s not the right number I apologize, but I’m positive it is…he called it and it was the correct number!! I asked the therapist are these game for anyone or only for people that have had some sort of brain trauma? He said they’re for anyone, these games spark the brain, wake it up, it works!! Our third week, my therapist said I’ll have to test you again to see how much of an improvement you’ve had and to send a report to your doctor. He would then be able to add weeks to your sessions. I did each test as he gave them to me, when I was finished he said I’ll be right back, I’ll go in my office and check them. A few minutes later he came back into the room and said well, I’ve got good and bad news, the good news is you’re into you’re third week and your memory level is pretty much where mine is. I said awesome!!!! I asked what could the bad news be? He said the bad news is you only need to come back if you’re bored! You did everything in three weeks, job well done!! I thanked him for his help because the memory problem was very depressing. Four years later, I’m doing well…the tumor is still stable and my memory is still sharp as a tack!! One thing I want to add before closing, I’ve learned when a person has any type of a serious diagnosis like a brain tumor, so many around you are watching, observing how you’re handling it. I’ve always been one to smile through the worst of times. I even had my surgeon laughing right before I was put under for the surgery. Your personal attitude has a great deal in how quickly and how well you heal. I think that’s why I’m doing as well as I am 4 years later. I can honestly say I am truly living each day as if it were my last, that tumor was a wake up call and my life has never been fuller or more satisfying than it has been since that day!! I’ll never be sorry or complain about having a meningioma tumor. Now, to leave you smiling, here’s the information on the games I was given to play. You are to play on a daily basis, they are Mahjong, Reversi, 4 in a Row and Word Find. I was also told any games similar would be fine, just make sure the rating is 4.3 and higher. Only play these games for a few minutes at a time, you’ll know when you’ve over done it when you start to feel pain in your head, that’s your sign, stop and rest! Play them a few times throughout the day and in a matter of a few days you’ll start to notice a difference. Have Fun!! 🙂
Sincerely,
Sharon
