Bizzaro World meets personal life
Bizzaro World meets personal life
By IVY JACOBS
“Just Ask Me”
Well, the madness of my personal life continues.
I believe we are all on a journey through life, and each person experiences things differently. I have realized my path recently is to wander through the land of Bizzaro World.
Until March of this year, the closest I came to know about vertigo was watching Jimmy Stewart in the Hitchcock film noir psychological thriller 1958 film, “VERTIGO.”
Or maybe doing spins on a swing to make myself dizzy, but that was when I was a child and had no clue I was giving myself the symptoms of vertigo. I thought it was fun.
On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, it wasn’t near being fun.
I sleep later due to the medication I take. My husband woke me up for work and had just left the bedroom when I stood up and immediately fell onto the floor.
Jason ran back because of the noise.
I tried to get up but couldn’t. I fell right back down. My legs weren’t useful; my arms weren’t either. I had no control over my motor functions.
Jason picked me up, and I told him, “We have to go to the doctor. Somethings wrong.”
My ears roared, and sounds were faraway like trapped inside a bottle. My eyes were quivering back and forth; my vision was doubled with dark shadows. I could not dress myself; Jason had to help me. I thank God he’s in my life.
With him holding me up, we had to navigate two flights on the staircase and then to his van. I realized it was extremely bright outside, and my hearing worsened.
I felt drunk, wobbling everywhere but where I was supposed to go. My speech was slurred, and I lost the ability to formulate sentences.
My husband knows me very well and interpreted my weird new sign language.
We laughed about it. What else can you do at that time? It’s better than freaking out.
At the doctor’s office, they put me in a wheelchair, and off I went to the emergency room. They were incredibly nice to me, but no one had any answers. After tons of tests and numerous questions, I was wheeled into Therapy with a diagnosis of VERTIGO.
My therapist told me the diagnosis might not be accurate. People who had the particular diagnosis I was given are prone to vomiting. I was not. Anyway, they tossed me around some, which they said was normal for getting my rocks back in place. It seems your ears have these things called rocks that can fall out of place and cause this. I thought that was funny, but I took the advice to heart and checked with my neurologist as soon as possible.
Although my appointment was scheduled as soon as possible, I still went to Therapy twice a week. I used a cane to stay upright, which I learned two things about. 1 - I didn’t really know how to use a cane. They had to show me how. 2 - I hated using a cane and worked hard to be rid of it as soon as possible. It slowed me down.
I missed work for several weeks, stuck inside m bedroom because I hated going out. I felt like a house plant, which isn’t good in our house because they often die. I refused to think like that, but there was a small little voice in the back of my brain. I tried not to listen, but every night before I went to sleep, I made sure I told him I loved him.
Honestly, I was scared.
I made sure to tell all of my family that. It’s not that I hadn’t done it before, but I didn’t know if I would wake up the next day.
Finally, they found a clot in my brain on the day of my neurology appointment, which required more testing and blood thinners.
But, I was allowed to return to work on a limited basis.
I started at 24 hours a week, and now I am back to around 80 or 90%. My mind is still a bit scrambled, and I drunk walk sometimes, but I don’t carry a cane most of the time. I know I am not 100% and may never be again, but I am productive in my own way.
My family gathered forces, and we faced the unknown together. I can’t tell them I love them enough.
Why am I telling you this?
On March 1, 2022, I was offered the position of Co-Editor for The Brazil Times. This newspaper might be useless for many people because of the internet, but it’s my home. It’s my way of giving back to the future; I get to write tomorrow’s history for my grandchildren.
We live history now in so many ways, and I am privileged to write it down for those who look it up 100 years from now.
To be one of the first female editors was an incredible honor. This job means so much to me, being a reporter and writer.
And 24 hours later, I was flat on my butt, with no motor skills; my language skills were gone along with my hearing (it was a dull roar, and still is at times.) I looked like a drunk as I struggled to walk a few feet.
It humbles you when you get knocked down so far that you have to ask for help to do basic things.
My advice: Take time to spend with the people who mean the most to you. Let them know how you feel because you might not be able to one day.
I have been blessed with an incredible gift because of so many wonderful people who taught me how to get to this point.
Frank Phillips - You were my first teacher in the journalistic world. Thank you so much for giving me a chance all those years ago.
Jason Moon - You taught me to look a little deeper into stories sometimes.
Carey Fox - You taught me patience, and boy, did I need that.
Pete Wilson - You pushed me to excel and made me laugh through tough times and deadlines.
Joey Bennett - Thank you for allowing me to be creative in my job.
Jeanne Burris - You spent part of the journey with me. You taught me the other side of being in the newspaper business.
Chris Pruitt - Thank you for trusting me all these years.
Christina Myer - You had a vision and let me join you, and I appreciate it so much.
To all my co-workers from past to present - you are my gift by helping me and teaching me teamwork. Thank you so much.
We have been through some rough times, and more are on the horizon. The Brazil Times staff is like family, and we all will get through it together.
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