Well, at long last i feel well enough to sit and update this thread.... at least a little.... the DBS implants were put in on April Fools Day.

There is absolutely no way I can describe the brain surgery so that you can know how incredible it was!

I was wheeled into the operating room and had to move over onto the operating table, which was not flat but looked more like a lounge chair for the beach. I was in a semi-upright position. Then I don’t know how much time was spent ‘making me comfortable’. The table was adjusted, pillows put under my knees, under my arms, and the head rest was adjusted numerous times. I was going to have to be in this position and my head perfectly still for many hours so a lot of time was spent. I could move my arms and legs but not s o much as to make my head move.

The surgeon came to me and greeted me and asked if I was ready. I said I was and that just in case it was needed my husband had his battery powered drill in the trunk of the car. It took a second to sink in and then he laughed. What happened next I thought was pretty neat. The doc called for everyone’s attention. (I forgot to tell you how many people were in the room….. the doc and assistant, 3 anesthetist, a bunch of nurses, the computer guys, not sure maybe 2 or 3, mapping out the route doc will take, a group of students, various aides and others I don’t know what they were.) The doc first identified me by name, age, and sex. Then he stated what I was having done and he asked if everyone was in agreement. And he made everyone respond. Probably less chance of operating on the wrong leg or other error by doing that.

They didn’t shave my whole head but just spots. I asked the doc if a new hair style was included. He combed my hair forward and said there you are, you have bangs. The nurse hurried over and made sure there were no hairs in my eyes or anywhere. I was given a local for the incisions in the scalp. It was during that time I had a panic attack. My blood pressure soared to 210/140 I think I heard them say and they hustled to bring that down. After that I was fine for the remaining time.

I listened to everybody talking. And when it got quiet told them to keep talking I had nothing else to do but listen to them. They laughed and told me it was my turn to tell jokes or something to entertain them. Well…..lol….. they got couple of jokes and then the ‘Scarecrow’ song, ‘If I only had a brain.’ That went over big! lol.

The drill to put two pencil diameter holes in my skull was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard!! As was pointed out to me I was hearing it both from the outside and the inside. It rattled my whole head too. Once inside they started pushing the probes into position. There was a huge screen on the wall with ‘waves’ across it. They were my brain waves and as the doc passed through each level we watched it on the screen. It was amazing to think about what was going on.

When the probes were in place I had to move arms and legs and wiggle toes. Then my arms and legs were moved for me and they watched the screen. I had to say several sentences and tongue twisters. I had difficulty with 1 of them and an adjustment was made in the probes. They asked about numbness or tingling repeatedly.

Finally I was put under for the closure which was done with staples. Felt a few before I was out……all I have to say about staples in my head is…. Occhhhhhhie`!!!!!!! After apx 6 ½ hours I was done and taken to recovery. Apx an hour in there and I was taken to my room where my family was waiting. The doc had talked to them so they knew I was ok but still anxious to see me. Never have teary eyed hugs ever felt so good as those did!

I only stayed in the hospital that one night and was home the next afternoon. For the next few days I noticed a change in some of my Parkinson’s symptoms. The probes in my head were not yet connected to the batteries so I didn’t know how this was happening.

More later......

I want to pause here and thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers and concern! I read this thread from the beginning and had several laughs. You guys are the greatest!!! (((((Pixies)))))