Reversal

1
Reversal

• When a Therapist Becomes a Patient
• By Eric Anthony Galvez DPT CSCS
• and Friends

2
Erics Biography

• Immature 31 year old
• Active Male
• Physical Therapist
• 1st generation Filipino-American
• Jock not a writer
• Goofball

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
3
Reversal When a Therapist Becomes a Patient

• There are few books by young male patients
• Few books written by PTs from a patient
  perspective
  
• Few books that contain multiple perspectives on a
  single patients rehab
  
• Book soundtrack

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
4
Members of the Collective

• Paulette Cebulski PT PhD
• Oliver Galvez
• Jose Galvez
• Teresita Galvez
• Mason Tassiviri
• Lilly Gharehmani

• Chris Lum
• Alvin Borlaza
• Chris Thompson DPT
• Dan Debeliso PT
• Stacey Nelson MS OTR/L

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
5
Purpose for writing the book

• Increase awareness for brain tumor research
• Increase awareness for the plight of young adults
  facing difficult diagnoses
  
• I needed something to do!

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
6
Brain Tumor Statistics

• 190,000/year diagnosed with a brain tumor. 1
• Certain "benign" brain tumors, have worse
  survival rates than breast cancer. 1
  
• Enhancing the quality of life requires access
  to
  
• specialty care
• clinical trials
• follow-up care
• rehabilitation services 1

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
7
Brain Tumor Statistics

• Metastatic brain tumors are the most common types
  of brain tumors. 
  
• They occur in 10-15 of people with cancer. 2
• Primary brain tumors generally do not metastasize
  to other parts of the body.2
  
• There are currently no known causes of brain
  tumors. 
  
• Complete and accurate data is needed for
• Causes
• Research leading to improved diagnosis and
  treatment.2

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
8
Brain Tumor Statistics1
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9
Meningiomas

• 30.1 of all primary brain tumors(the most
  common type of primary brain tumor.)3
  
• Affect sensory and cognitive functioning.3
• Patients are often unsymptomatic until the tumor
  is quite large.3  
  
• The cause of meningiomas is unknown.3 
• Many patients have no risk factors.3
• Most common in elderly, African-American Women4

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10
Brain Tumor Celebrities

• Tim Gullikson, 44 Pete Sampras' Tennis Coach
• Bob Marley, 36 Reggae Singer
• George Gershwin, 36 Composer
• Wilma Rudolph, 54 Olympic Gold Medallist
• Lyle Alzado, 43 Football Player

• Pete Rozelle, 70 NFL Commissioner
• Gene Siskel,53 Movie Critic
• Elizabeth Taylor, actress
• Mark Ruffalo, actor
• Lance Armstrong, 7X Tour De France Cycling
  Champion

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11
Young Adult Statistics

• 70,000 people 15-39 diagnosed with cancer each
  year5
  
• YA have lower survival rates with respect to the
  geriatric and pediatric population
  

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
12
Young Adults Cancers Orphan Generation5

• Lack of participation in Clinical trials
• Lack of research
• too young/ too old for studies
• Access to studies5
• Entry level jobs with poor healthcare5
• Superman complex

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
13
Pre-Op

• Symptoms
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Facial numbness
• Seizures
• Loss of appetite

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
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Surgery

• Craniotomy
• Risks
• Research surgeons
• Things to do to prepare for surgery
• STAY CALM! Its out of your hands now!

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
15
ICU

• Most patients dont recall events in ICU
• I was not myself.
• Prepare your loved ones
• you will be the most vulnerable here

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
16
Rehab

• I became a patient
• Swallowed my pride
• Came out of my post surgical fog
• Part of me died, but reborn with why not
  attitude

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
17
Radiation therapy

• Try to schedule other appointments before
  radiation appointments.
  
• Get plenty of rest!

18
Outpatient therapy

• Stay focused on goals
• Most improvements occur on your own
• Patience!

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
19
Lessons Learned

• How you react to a challenge will dictate how
  other people will react
  
• It is very important to have measurable GOALS!
• Be prepared. Do your homework

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
20
Sources

• The National Brain Tumor Foundation
  www.braintumor.org/  
  
• The Brain Tumor Society www.tbts.org/
• The Brain Science Foundation www.brainsciencefound
  ation.org/
  
• Meningioma on Emedicine www.emedicine.com/radio/to
  pic439.htm
  
• Cancers Orphan Generation - U.S. News and World
  Report, 1/15/07 www.planetcancer.org/

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
21
Music Video
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22
Questions (15 minutes)
23
Acknowledgements

• The members of the Collective
• You for coming
• Friends of the La Jolla Library
• All the patients and staff at Grossmont Hospital

www.ericgalvezdpt.com
24
Happy Mothers Day!
25
The End (or just the beginning?)
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