Dianne
Retirees Dianne and Gary, married for 46 years, have enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad, been very involved in their church and other ministries as volunteers, and taken an active role as the grandparents of 19, ranging in age from toddlers to young adults. Summers, they travel from their Midwest home to Colorado – self-described 'mountain birds.' But this comfortable rhythm was disrupted by walking difficulties that Dianne began experiencing in mid-2006, which led to rapid physical decline late'06-Jan '07.

After traveling to Israel in the spring of '06, Dianne returned with a heat-related illness that left her fatigued. They went ahead to Colorado anyway that summer for a special family gathering time. "Usually my health is better there," Dianne said, noting that her arthritis issues dissipate in the Colorado altitude. "But I remember saying a lot, 'These are not my legs. I don't know who they belong to, but they are not mine! I need to get home. Something is not right.' Walking was more difficult and my left foot would drag." She wondered if an earlier medical problem was surfacing under a new guise. In 2003 Dianne had been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that develops on the ear nerves, which diminished hearing on her right side. The tumor was successfully treated with Gamma Knife Radiation. But an MRI in late 2006 revealed the tumor was not the culprit.

Through autumn, she said, she began to experience incontinence, her energy flagged, her vision and hearing seemed less sharp, reading and comprehension became difficult, and she starting having severe headaches. In November she found herself overwhelmed taking care two young grandsons in Colorado. She continued, "The trip back thru the airports was awful. My feet started acting like they were glued to the floor!"

For Gary, the gait issue became real in November when he observed Dianne consistently dragging her left foot. In December she began to have memory issues. "I had to drop out of Bible Study Fellowship," she said. "It was hard to keep up, I couldn't remember people's names. It was very hard to give that up." She gave up grocery shopping. She gave up driving, too: "One day, I just knew I shouldn't be driving anymore."

Leading up to Christmas Gary noticed that his wife had no ambition for holiday shopping, cards, or other annual activities she always enjoyed. "During the holidays we're usually geared up," he said, "but she seemed overwhelmed." Their in-town children and their families joined them for Christmas, but walking was still an issue and so Dianne sat for most of the evening, knowing if she stood up, a severe headache could happen.

Her family and dear friends became increasingly concerned as, by New Year's, it was apparent something more was going on. Suddenly there was less conversation, less interaction on Dianne's part, Gary explained. She started using a walker to get around, but fell several times trying to get around on her own. In mid-December, after visits to the family doctor, she was issued a permanent Handicapped Parking Permit and sent to a neurologist. Gary pulled out of his activities to be her full-time caregiver and medical advocate.

In January, she visibly deteriorated. The neurologist hospitalized Dianne for tests – blood tests, nerve tests, memory tests, and another MRI – none of which revealed an answer. In February the neurologist ordered a CT scan to see if hemorrhaging from a fall was the causing these issues. No hemorrhaging was evident but, by comparing it with the MRIs taken in late '06 and January '07, the scans showed the progressive enlargement of ventricles that confirmed a diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. One day later Dianne and Gary consulted with their neurosurgeon, their heads spinning as events were put in motion. When Gary asked about getting a second opinion, the neurologist stressed that time was of the essence based on Dianne's escalating deterioration. The surgery to implant a CODMAN® HAKIM® Programmable Valve was scheduled for three days later. Her out-of –town children all came home to join the others for support.

After surgery, Gary stated, "The change was immediate. Her eyes were bright again." Dianne added, "One daughter said, 'I have my mother back!'" Every day saw marked improvements. She began physical therapy right away. Her endurance, balance, and strength measured very low and goals were set for her to reach by the end of one month. "Dianne exceeded those at the end of three weeks and was released in four," Gary said proudly. She continues even now, a year later, with deep-water therapy at the "Y" to maintain muscle tone, endurance, and strength.

Asked for their advice to others faced with this type of challenge, they have one word: "Advocate." If they had not been able to access the right medical resources as quickly as they did, said Gary, "I don't know how long it could have been or how bad it could have become. I didn't see any end to it."

By summer of 2007, they were enjoying grandchildren activities, traveling to Colorado again and to Yellowstone National Park, and visiting out-of town-grandchildren. Dianne is reading up a storm and she and Gary are active volunteers again. Dianne said, "It was wonderful – my mind and body are restored! Every day is a gift. I am so grateful!"

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