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The following is a timeline of my father's pallidotomy procedure at Loma Linda Medical Center. We hope that this information might help others considering having a pallidotomy. Keep in mind as you read this that almost all of the tests that Louie went through are not part of a standard pallidotomy "schedule" but they are for research. He decided that he wanted this surgery badly enough to put up with lots of pokes and prods to assure that he could get his pallidotomy as soon as possible. We have tried to be as accurate as possible while constructing this timeline but it undoubtably has a few errors (including name spelling!) and omissions, please check with appropriate authorities/experts before acting on any of this information. If you would like to contact either of us about specific questions our e-mail addresses are: Lew Jr. and Jennifer Coggins -- [log in to unmask] Louie Sr. and Shirley Coggins -- [log in to unmask] January, 1996 An appointment was scheduled with Dr. Iacono at the Loma Linda Medical Center for March. March was the earliest date that could be scheduled. March 19, 1996 First visit to Loma Linda to meet Robert Iacono at the Loma Linda Medical Center. Dr. Iacono told Louie that he was a very good canidate for a pallidotomy because he was a true parkinsonian type A. Since this is a teaching hosipital, Dr. Iacono has many visiting doctors who are interested in learning more about the procedure. They typically accompany him when he sees patients. The key players on the team in addition to Dr. Iacono are Dr. Muhomed, Lead Surgery Nurse Betty. They determined that he was an excellent canidate by conducting a number of motor tests. Dr. Iacono said that June was a possible surgery date. Louie, at that time was rated a "4 STAR" which made him higher on the list. This means that he is a Type A Parkinsonian of average age, 63, average symptoms, and average on/off periods. Helpful hints: Ask to talk to Don Berns or Tony Shooenberg as they both work there on Tuesday and are excellent consultants regarding the surgery. March 19-July 3 Weekly phone calls were made by Shirley and Louie to Cathy at Dr. Iacono's office to determine a surgery date. Approx Mid May A letter arrived from Dr. Iacono's office regarding a PET Scan study being conducted to determine the effects of Pallidotomies. Louie was asked to volunteer in Iacono's study. This letter stated that volunteering in this study, to be conducted at the University of California, Irvine, would enhance Louie's position on the waiting list. July 3 Dr. Leo VerHagen of the National Institute of Health contacted Louie as he had received Louie's name from Dr. Iacona as an excellent Pallidotomy canidate and would Louie be willing to participate in a national study on Pallidotomies and Sinemet. Louie and Shirley were told that if they participated in the study that it would put them higher on Iacono's normally 3 year waiting list. The participation would require 2 trips to NIH in Bethesda, one 30 days prior to surgery and the other 30 days after. These tests would run for 5-7 days in which they would compare the pallidotomy and the sinemet pre and post operative. All expenses for Louie would be paid and Shirley's airfare. Any hotel and food outside the hospital were not included. July 30: Marge Gillespie with NIH called to inform that the date of Surgery was September 18. With a preclinic visit begin September 17, 1996. August 5: Shirley called Cathy at Iacono's office to confirm the date. She said a letter would be forth coming in 2-3 weeks (August 15-21). August 10-17 Testing at Bethesda Maryland at NIH. Excellent staff and facilities! Great treatment and very worthwhile to participate if you are able. August 29: Contacted Betty Owens at Iacono's office. Left a message and she returned the call promptly, giving the dates of the PET Scan in Irvine, September 11-12. September 6: Recieved a pre-op packet from Iacono's office to confirm the surgery date, the Irvine testing. Received notice at that time that Louie was to have 2 more tests: the Evoke Potential with Dr. Kenneth Jordan in San Bernadino and the neo-cognitive with Dr. Linda Nelson of San Bernadino. Packet stated that a physical needed to be completed by a local physician 10 Days before surgery including chest x-ray, blood work, and an EKG. Same day, Shirley called Dr. Jordan and made an appointment for Sept. 16 for the Evoke Potential, a test to evaluate medial nerve (in the arm) function using electrical stimulation. It was said it would take about an hour. Called Dr. Nelson about the Neo-cognitive test and was told couldn't do the test until Sept 24, after the surgery. Shirley called Cathy Miller at Dr. Iacono's office and she said to cancel the test due to scheduling conflicts. September 7 Appointment with a local Doctor for a physical. September 9 Found out that Blue Cross Insurance had given their approval of the surgery on August 16 from Cathy Miller. September 10 Arrive in Irvine. September 11 First day of PET Scan F-Dopa for dopomine levels in the brain at UC Irvine. This is a 3 - 4 hour procedure in which 2 IVs are inserted, blood is drawn, radioactive isotopes are injected. You are required to lay perfectly still for 3-3 1/2 hours with your head in a tube. It is a long and fairly uncomfortable procedure. Family is allowed to sit with the patient the entire time with the exception of the radioactive injection time. I would encourage you to bring a book to read to the patient or foot massager and to tell the patient periodically what time it so as to help the participant. September 12 Second PET Scan: FTG Scan to see brain activity. During the test of this activity, the machinery had a failure. This, we were told, happens periodically and participants must wait a day to finish the PET Scan. After some time preparing for the scan, we were told that due to machinery failure, we would need to return the following day. Be prepared for changes in schedules. Very nice people and treated Louie very well. September 13 Third day of PET Scan. The FTG Scan was completed with another set of IVs in each arm. During this day, Louie was in the tube for 40 minutes and participated in a cognitive test, like a video game, for about 30 minutes. This is also a time when a family member can be with the patient to help pass the time during the PET Scan once the radioactive material is no longer harmful. September 16 Evoke Potential test at Dr. Kenneth Joran's office in San Bernadino. This test is approximately 1 hour. Very easy and painless. September 17 Pre-op visit to Dr. Iacono at 8:30 am. Louie was given another examination to test his motor skills. During this visit met Tony Schooenburg and Don Berns, both Parkinsons patients who have received Pallidotomies. Discussed their results and received many words of encouragement to ease everyone's mind. Lasted about 2 hours. Dr. Iacono and Muhomed and visiting surgeons conducted standard parkinsons evaluation tests. This was when the decision was made to do a bilateral pallidotomy. Then came P.A.T.S. : Pre Admission Testing Services. Here Louie was given a chest X-ray, EKG and had blood work done. 3 pm went to hotel. Stayed at the Hilton with a special rate for Loma Linda Hospital patients. Ask about their rate, about $65/night for a double. Get it early because their rooms fill up fast. Called Iacono's office to get surgery time (see where we were in the order of 3 surgeries to be performed the following day -- they schedule surgeries for the day based on age and illness.) September 18 Date of surgery. 6am arrive for pre-op prep. Still don't know whether Louie is 2nd or 3rd. Ended up being the first in line because the first patient was rescheduled. 6:30am insert IV and give a sedative. Dr. Muhamed and visiting surgeon put on halo, about 15 minutes procedure. Family still with Louie. Tough for family to watch but being there for dad was important. 7am Louie has an MRI and then goes directly to surgery. 9-11 family waits in waiting area and surgery host informs family on progress. Loma Linda is an excellent hospital and the service that the surgery host provides is invaluable. 11 family is informed surgery is over, successful and went as well as it could have. Family gets to talk to Dr. Iacono on the phone. 11:30 Louie is back in recovery, wounds stiched, and comfortable in a double occupancy room. Doing great, awake. Voice a little slurred and very sleepy. Sleeps most of the afternoon and evening. Walked and ran a little for Iacono. A little nauseous. Rigidity gone. Tremor almost gone. Smell back after 18 years! Dr. Iacono, Dr. Muhomed, nursing staff and hospital staff were all outstanding in Louie's care! Very prompt service and individualized attention. September 19 Feeling good but very sleepy. Post surgical care meeting with Nurse Andy Alsip. Andy is very experienced with post pallidotomy care -- she was great. Check out at noon. Sleeps rest of the day except for meals and meds. Sept 20 Sleeps most of the day except for meals and meds. Almost all symptoms of parkinsons gone except slight resting and action tremors. Sept 21 Awake and lively. Eager to try out new legs. Went for a 20 minute walk and then slept most of the rest of the day. Sept 22 In the morning says, I don't just feel good...I feel great! Went on a 4 mile hike and then sleeps the rest of the day. Sept 23 Sleep most of the day. Worn out with sore leg muscles from yesterday. Sept 24 Post op evaluation with Iacono, about 1 hour. Dr. Iacono was very pleased with the outcome and showed him off to the patients scheduled for surger the next day. Evoke Potential with Dr. Jordan. Back to Flagstaff Arizona in the evening. Sept 25 Back in flagstaff finishing up this post. We feel that we have been part of a miracle. Everyone pray for us that this will continue to improve. Loma Linda was a very impressive facility from top to bottom. Very caring staff.