Benjamin's Story
Forty-eight-year-old construction superintendent and Los Angeles resident Benjamin Salomon suffered a grand mal seizure, causing violent muscle contractions during which he lost consciousness. EMTs rushed Benjamin to Cedars Sinai Medical Center. When he awoke, doctors told him that tests showed a large brain tumor called an astrocytoma. An avid athlete, who regularly cycles and practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Benjamin said he was shocked by the diagnosis adding that he had no issues leading up to the seizure, just a minor headache.
Six days after his tumor was discovered, Benjamin underwent a right frontal craniotomy where surgeons removed the tumor from the front of his brain. While the procedure was successful, the event left him unable to focus his attention, walk, see things on the left side of his body or move his left arm and hand.
Two weeks after his operation, Benjamin was stable and transferred to California Rehabilitation Institute to begin his rehabilitation. With a goal of walking out of the hospital, Benjamin’s physician-led care team of nurses and physical, occupational and speech therapists developed a care plan that would help him recover and regain his independence. He wanted to return home and see his dog again.
Physical therapists fitted Benjamin with a left ankle brace to give him extra support and stability. He was also outfitted with a lightweight manual wheelchair, which he propelled with his right leg and arm; it boosted his spirits, giving him a sense of independence.
The care team had Benjamin use a specialized stationary bike that delivered low-level electrical impulses to his left leg improving blood circulation and helping move his weakened muscles. As he regained strength, Benjamin progressed to a body-weight supported treadmill where he practiced walking and other exercises. While challenging, he said the exercises – particularly lunges – helped him regain leg strength and improve his balance. Gradually, Benjamin was freed from the ankle brace and wheelchair. Physical therapy sessions then shifted to include exercises and activities to continue building his balance, coordination and strength with the help of tools like obstacle courses and an agility ladder to engage the body and the brain at the same time.
It was around this time that Benjamin recalls a mental shift in his determination to fully recover. A friend had videotaped him walking down a hall. Excited to see himself walking, Benjamin began pushing to achieve a smoother, more natural gait. His friend videotaped him whenever he could. That support, along with frequent visits from his family and friends, helped Benjamin advance and buoyed his spirits.
Occupational therapy focused on boosting Benjamin’s fine motor skills with various treatments and therapeutic exercises. Therapists outfitted his arm with a sling and a resting hand splint to protect it and encourage correct positioning. Using a portable electrical stimulation device, low level electrical impulses were delivered to Benjamin’s muscles helping them contract. It allowed Benjamin to work on grasping and pinching his fingers along with larger movements such as pulling and pushing. When he was able to move his left arm voluntarily, Benjamin’s team wove in tasks that involved reaching, weight-bearing, gripping and movement – it helped him control and coordinate functions in his arm and hand. These exercises would prove beneficial especially since Benjamin was looking forward to playing with his dog again. Exercises with both arms came next with Benjamin tossing balls and sliding towels on a hard surface, in addition to other dual arm activities. Self-care tasks were woven into Benjamin’s therapy too; the team helped him relearn how to safely bathe and dress. Occupational therapists assisted him with each task at first, gradually allowing him to take over.
Speech therapists worked on Benjamin’s cognitive issues, helping him improve his attention, memory and executive functioning -- skills that allow people to plan, execute actions and interact with others. Benjamin also tackled problem-solving tasks in an array of categories -- grocery shopping, trip planning and organizing. In addition, he used a special iPad app to practice multitasking. Therapy helped improve Benjamin’s short-term memory as well with exercises that prompted him to recall information after a 10-to-15-minute delay. These tasks all tied back to boosting Benjamin’s ability to complete daily living activities with increased independence.
Education played a role in Benjamin’s recovery as well. The care team taught him about his brain injury so he could better understand his safety risks, the path to returning to work and how to set realistic goals.
Six weeks after admitting to Cal Rehab, Benjamin could now walk without a device, manage 12 steps supported by a handrail and tackle self-care – bathing and dressing with a care team member nearby. He had improved cognitively as well. He could use a cell phone independently, maintain conversations and recall activities he had completed the day prior.
Benjamin was ready to return home. Reflecting on his time at Cal Rehab he said, “I don’t think you’ll find a better place for rehab,” he stated. “I want others to know that if you keep pushing through the bad times, you’ll make it to the good times.”
Benjamin plans to continue his recovery with outpatient therapy. After nearly two months spent in hospitals, he looked forward to sleeping in his own bed and reuniting with his dog.