Hilary and Michel,

Of course you are right; and this is said by one who has had both a
pallidotomy and DBS.  They are based on what Lewis Thomas calls 'halfway
technologies', i.e. they provide superior symptom management without
effecting a cure.  We know that pallidotomy and DBS  work, but we don't know
how or why?  If that is the case, why did I have surgery not once, but
twice?

Because if I did not, the alternative was incarceration in a chronic care
institution within six months - I was in the 90th percentile of PD patients
pre-surgery.  I would likely be dead by now.  I took a chance, a smart risk,
that surgery would work, and it did!  I have seen cases where it hasn't, and
they are tragedies.

On the matter of affordability, we do not have the spectre of 'cash register
medicine' in Canada; rather the dubious privilege of having 'Big Brother',
in the form  of government run health plans,   watching over us.  Make no
mistake, I am opposed to access by cheque.

i think your faith in a universal cure is a bit misplaced.  PD will likely
be found to be a cluster of similar conditions with each one having unique
characteristics. And it will be the  uniqueness that stymies the
researchers.

Basic research remains the only answer; that is why I've raised over $40,000
in the Toronto SuperWalk for Parkinson's over the  last six years

Bill
--- --Original Message-----
From: Hilary Blue <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, September 26, 1999 11:48 PM
Subject: Re: Idle thoughts....




>Michel,
>
>your words speak my thoughts!
>
>Hilary
>
>Michel Margosis wrote:
>>
>> I have not heard anyone ever express thoughts on the finality of
>> surgical therapy in PD.   I am convinced that basic research is by far
>> much more important than surgical centers.  Surgery  has been proven to
>> be very good   palliatives which can last from a few months to a few
>> years and sometimes even longer.  SBut, surgery does not cure and the
>> disease still persists, and sometimes when surgery is ineffectual it may
>> even adversely affect the PWP.
>> Pallidotomy changes the characteristics of the brain itself by a careful
>> 'searing' of the pallidum, and once that is done, it is irreversible.
>> When, not if, but When a cure is found, the natural biological synthesis
>> of L-dopamine will be resumed assuming the brain is still functioning in
>> a natural manner.  If the alteration of the pallidum interferes with the
>> natural function of the brain, the cure for those who had incurred the
>> pallidotomy may not be available.  Emotionally,  I can strongly
>> sympathize with those PWP who want relief from the misery of tremors and
>> dyskinesia.  Yet, surgery is still only a relief or a reprieve for some.
>>
>> Basic research is the only avenue that can achieve the cure to end the
>> misery of PD.  When the cure is found, it will be universal, that is for
>> all PWP, instead of those who can afford temporary relief by surgery.
>> My money and faith is totally in basic research, be it in foetal
>> transplants inter or intra species, recombinant DNA (genetic
>> manipulation), and foremost at this time is the most promising of all is
>> with stem cells.
>>
>> Keep the faith, a cure is coming for sure, and I wish us to be  young
>> enough to avail ourselves of it.
>>
>> Michel Margosis
>