Over the past 4 or 5 years I have dealt with periodic dizziness. It will last 2-3 seconds at very random times, nothing huge but just enough that I notice it. It comes and goes, mostly goes until about 3-4 months ago. Then I started noticing it more often. Shortly after I broke my finger, I got it really bad - where it was almost a constant '4 on scale of 10' dizziness/nauseated. Fortunately, it was a Tuesday morning and I was headed into physical therapy. I was familiar with a PT manuever that can be done to resolve dizziness. Upon arrival at therapy I quickly asked the therapist if she was familiar with the Epley manuever. She said yes and got to work. It relieved a lot of the constant dizziness, but there was still some lingering stuff. So two days later I went back and she performed the manuever again. This time most of the dizziness went away, with the exception of my dizziness that came with certain head positions (rolling over in bed, bending over and dropping my head below my waist, looking high above my head, drinking water). All the episodes were very brief in nature and did not think much of it. Until I was at the doctor and was laying on the table. As the nurse helped me sit up, she looked at me and asked if I was okay. I told her I was dizzy and she quickly referred me to a PT that specializes in vestibular stuff.

I went to the PT on Tuesday. Of course the day I went, I felt like my symptoms were not as bad. She asked me lots of questions and then put some rubber goggles on me. Things were totally pitch black from my perspective, but when the goggles were hooked up to a computer screen, she could see everything my eyes were doing as if it were broad daylight. Upon doing the Epley manuever on my left ear, everything looked fine, I felt fine and my eyes did not 'jump around'. Upon doing the Epley on the right ear, I got really dizzy and she commented that I had a 'good one'. As she finished up the manuever things were feeling much better. Thinking all was resolved, she waited a few minutes and repeated the process to see if things actually had settled down. The dizziness was much worse the second time and I heard her exclaim 'I don't see that very often'.

Well, 'that' was the 'rocks' in my ears. Let's see if I can explain this properly. Somewhere in the middle to inner ear is a little shelf, were there are little things that look like rocks. The rocks are so small that you can put 3 of them on the end of a strand of hair. Anyway, for whatever reason these rocks can come loose and roll into one of three connecting tubes, again very small tubes/canals. She is not sure, but either I had rocks in 2 different tubes or when she attempted to put the rocks back the first time, they ended up rolling into the second tube, instead of on the shelf. When the rocks become loose they can cause major dizziness. I left her office feeling normal but she told me I can only move my head for the next 48 hours as if I had a book on my head and not to sleep on my right side. I guess the rocks are very sticky, as is the shelf, so once the rocks are back in place, they need time to settle and re-stick. Clear? Anyway, I have felt pretty good, although with certain head movements I feel like I am on the edge of dizziness again. I go back to her on Monday for a follow-up. I am guessing if I can make myself dizzy again that I am not cured and the rocks are still rolling around in my head. We will see what happens on Monday. (If anyone else ever has a sudden onset of dizziness, call me and I can direct you in the right path.)

So, just so I don't get accused of marbles rolling around in my head, here is a picture I found online.  The loose particles is where the rocks are found.  I was also very intrigued that she was able to tell because of the way my eyes jumped (up and down or side to side) as to which of the three canals the rocks were in.  Then this determined how she finished up the Epley Manuever.

Why all the detail, because it reminded me once again of what an amazing piece of art we are.  That we are created in such a way and with such detail that microscopic things can come loose and wreek havoc on our bodies.  I was also reminded of things like kidney stones, of which I have never had and hope I never do.  What an amazing God we have.  I also wonder how man ever discovered all this about rocks.

One day I was talking with my physical therapist and she was telling me her most favorite class was anatomy.  She talked of all the cadavers they worked on.  Something I don't think much about, but thankful for all those that choose to donate their bodies to science so others can learn about rocks in the ears and other things.

Ramble....

Hunting season is still in full swing.  Still archery season.  Rifle starts in 2 weeks.  Nothing hanging in our garage yet.  We have about 3 packages of meat left, so something needs to cross his path soon.

JR and I have been having quite a few discussions lately.  After several years of contemplation, he has decided to give his notice at work and venture out on his own.  His last day of 'full-time employment' will be Dec 27.  As our accountant replied "Yahoo. Fee of Bondage".  So much to learn.  The great thing is, we have mapped out all of his current work.  Some months this is more than others, but overall, he has about 65-70% of his current income already secured.  The slowest months are going to be the off season, which is April/May and Oct/Nov.  He will be doing property management and then all kinds of side jobs - some of which have included staining decks, windows, cleans, landscaping, building fences, hauling trash/clearing junk and re-digging ditches to storm drains.  Will be interesting to see the doors that open up between now and his last day of work.  There are several clients in the wings that have been waiting for him to step out on his own.

Having computer problems this evening.  My main file folder has disappeared.  I did recently back it up thankfully, but I also put quite a bit of time into some files this morning and don't want to loose that work.  Hopefully I can get it resolved soon.

Off to unwind.