When Becky Smith received her diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma—a large, non-cancerous brain tumor pressing against her brain stem—she knew she faced a long and difficult road ahead.
Her condition brought with it a cascade of debilitating symptoms: vestibular migraines, daily headaches, vision problems, balance issues, dizziness, unsteadiness and even memory loss. Although her surgery in August of 2021 successfully removed the tumor, her symptoms lingered, dramatically affecting her daily life.
Following her neurologist’s recommendation, Becky found herself at the Bon Secours St. Francis Therapy Center at St. Francis Downtown under the care of Caroline Mulholland, a specialist in vestibular therapy.
A tailored approach to complex symptoms
Becky had tried vestibular therapy before, but her case required an especially tailored approach. When she started working with Caroline, they set realistic, targeted goals to address her balance, dizziness and gait issues.
“Any type of headache or migraine pain can be associated with neck pain and stiffness,” Caroline shares. “This was not an initial complaint for Becky. However, partway through her vestibular therapy, these complaints came up. Neck pain and stiffness aren’t my specialty, so we called in another physical therapist, Greg Pease, to assess and treat her near the end of her visio-vestibular rehab to make her recovery as comprehensive as possible.”
Given the severity and persistence of her symptoms, Becky wasn’t sure if she could regain normalcy.
“I didn’t have high expectations because the issues had been ongoing for three years,” Becky shares. “But Caroline looked outside the box to try to help me.”
The team’s approach was personalized to Becky’s unique needs. Caroline carefully assessed Becky’s concerns and created a plan that emphasized what would work best for her.
“Caroline really went the extra mile for me,” Becky recalls. “She even did outside research on my vision issues, which made a huge difference.”
A new path to recovery and independence
Physical therapy was challenging and demanded resilience, with numerous activities to complete both in and outside the sessions. Yet, each appointment felt like a milestone. Becky noticed marked progress with every visit.
“I felt like I made tangible strides every time I went to PT—I hadn’t experienced that before,” she reflects.
With Caroline’s guidance, Becky was able to incorporate exercises into her daily routine, empowering her to continue improving between sessions.
“Caroline gave me the tools to make real progress, which was incredible,” she shares.
Caroline’s efforts didn’t stop at physical improvement. She worked hard to give Becky lifelong exercises and techniques she could use long after therapy ended so she could sustain her health gains over time.
“She made sure I had things I could safely do every day to keep progressing,” Becky says. “That kind of commitment was truly rare.”
Achieving a full recovery – and more!
After months of dedication and hard work, Becky’s progress exceeded her initial goals. She ultimately returned to her pre-surgery health levels, regaining balance, coordination and independence.
Reflecting on her journey, Becky says, “I went above and beyond what I thought possible, all thanks to Caroline.”
For Becky, Caroline’s encouragement, knowledge and willingness to adapt to her needs turned a seemingly insurmountable situation into a true comeback story.
“Her positive energy kept me going,” Becky adds. “Every step of the way, she made me feel like my goals were possible.”
Today, Becky continues to benefit from the skills and exercises Caroline taught her, using them to stay strong and steady. Thanks to the staff at Bon Secours St. Francis Outpatient Therapy Center Downtown and Caroline’s dedication, Becky has regained control over her life!
This holiday season, we are celebrating by spreading the good news! Read more grateful stories, like this one, that feature our team members, patients and the wonderful communities we are blessed to serve.
Also, learn about the primary care services we provide at Bon Secours.
