I am very happy for you, Bruce.
Wish you all the best.
Raj
*********
On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 16:41:19 -0400 Bruce Hollenbeck
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
> On July 16th I had deep brain surgery at Beth Israel Hospital in NYC.
> The operation was performed by Dr Ron Alterman and his team. The
> result has been spectacular, exceeding my best expectations.
>
> I was diagnosed in 1988 at age 48. The disease has steadily
> progressed to the point where just prior to the surgery I had severe
> dyskinesia, periods of freezing, serious stiffness, very poor
> balance, unintelligible speech, and stooped posture.By late
> afternoon, I was having a very hard time getting around even with a
> walker. I was unable to ride my bike anymore.
>
> A week after the implanting of the electrodes (one on each side of
> the brain), I went back to Beth Israel, and had the neurostimulators
> implanted in my upper chest. A week after that procedure, I again
> returned to Beth Israel to have the neurostimulators programmed. I
> was off my medication and could only get around in a wheel chair.
> During the programming (which took about a 1/2 hour) I really didn't
> feel much different.I stayed seated for about 5 minuets. Then I had
> to get up. Much to my surprise I was able to stand and walk and
> talk. I was a little tired for a couple of days, but I continued to
> improve. The dyskinesia was gone. I could speak fairly clearly. My
> balance was back, and last week I began riding my bike again! I feel
> like a new man.
>
> The operation is no picnic. The halo wasn't as bad as I anticipated,
> but was bad enough. For me, the worst part of the operation was the
> drilling of the two holes in my skull. There was no pain, but the
> thought of someone opening my skull was frightening.However, Dr.
> Alterman and his team did a great job. They kept me informed
> throughout the operation and were very competent and professional.
>
> If anyone is contemplating the procedure and would like to discuss
> my experience, feel free to e-mail me. I must say that given the
> same circumstances, if I had to, I would readily do it again.
> Bruce A. Hollenbeck
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
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