We take our balance for granted. When we think of disabilities, we think of spinal cord injuries and fractures, but likely take it for granted that our relatively small feet will keep our bodies upright.
Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with an extremely large brain tumor. I’m forever thankful it was benign. I had two craniotomies and three other surgeries over the course of 11 months, to remove this tumor growing on the balance nerve in the brain. Not only did the surgeons need to remove the balance nerve on my left side, to ensure the tumor wouldn’t return, but I also suffered a post-op stroke in the balance center of the cerebellum. My feet felt like they were incredibly way to small to ever keep my body upright; I felt like someone learning to walk on stilts.
I started with a walker and also crawled around the house when I first came home from the hospital. The day I came home, I started my own rehab program, by holding on tightly and walking on a treadmill at 1 mph for 5 minutes. I gradually increased the demands on myself and added yoga and other workouts to my routine. I made steady progress, but it was excruciatingly slow.
Two years after my surgery, a friend told me about Kick, Punch and Crunch. I hade to try it, and even with modifying it throughout, I could not get through the workout. I kept at it. It is the best for overall fitness and it catapulted my balance rehab to new levels!! I then added Core Max to my routines, once I read how strengthening your inner band of abdominal muscle improves your balance. Eight years later, to see me walk and run and jump, you wouldn’t know there is anything wrong with me. I can do Kick, Punch and Crunch better than Cathe herself, I bet! (Right!!) Every third day when I do that routine, I think of how I have to thank Cathe for giving my former life back to me. Thank you, Cathe, from the bottom of my heart (and cerebellum)!!
Wow that is amazing. I never knew there was a balance nerve.
Jennifer,
Your commitment and dedication are in inspiration to us all!! Many women would have given up and blamed “medical reasons” as to why they are unfit and overweight. Way to go Girl!!!
Hello, Jennifer,
You are a wonderful inspiration! You have such perseverance. We know it takes a tremendous dedication of your time and energy to work for your results so that you and your family can savor such “excruciatingly slow” improvements. Your accomplishments are so miraculous that no one could possibly imagine what you’re been through.
Your entire family loves and admires you more than you can know.
R
You were on the treadmill the day you came home?! Your dedication to your own rehab was there right from the start. I am happy for you that Kick, Punch, and Crunch added so much to your workout. If it helped you so much, I want to try it! (I am sure I won’t be nearly as good my first time as you were.) I wish you the best!
Jennifer, what an awesome story!! It is really amazing what you’ve accomplished with your determination and your willingness to spend the time/effort to train, train, train so that you can move about as you do. Thanks for sharing….I’m inspired!!!!!
I am inspired from your will and determination not to stay as you are but to fight for your life. and change what you have control of the change. I am trying to stay consistant with my exercises. Because of the story you shared with us. I feel more inspired and motivated to try my hardest and my best. Thank you Jennifer for sharing such a great story of your life with us. I will keep you in my thoughts as I try to be the best by doing my workouts with Cathe on a consistant basis. I hope we hear from you again.
What an inspiring story! Your dedication to rehab is truly remarkable. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!!
Congratulations on the tumor being benign!
Wow, amazing story, congrats on all of your HARD work. I’m sure you fought hard for every step you take. Thank you for sharing–So inspiring!!