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Dear group,

As you know, in the past, I have been pushing for a surgical solution to my
movement disorder (Due largely to the fact that there are no drugs targeted
specifically at the globus pallidus).
Now, I suppose I have an interesting decision to make. First, yesterday
afternoon, I received an e-mail from a Dr. Goldman at U of Columbia, in
response to a query I had made about a fetal tissue implant. He said that as
of now, they were not conducting any transplants, but soon would have a
program for such up and running. He then stated when they did they "May have
something available" for me.
This morning, the second mailing on my list was from Dr. Lozano, with whom
many of you know I have been chatting with regarding having something done to
help me.
In his message he stated that he had studied my MRI scan and had located the
bilateral lesions in both the internal and external globus pallidus. He said
that I would be a candidate for a thalamic surgery, either a thalamotomy or a
deep brain stimulation. He stated that there was no documentation on this
type of operation for CO poisoning and thus the procedure would be
experimental. In conclusion he said that the cost was high, but this could
improve my disorder.
My first question is: Has anyone on the list had a thalamotomy or a deep
brain stimulation, and if so, how much did it cost ($)? Also what were the
results? Would there be anyway to get medicaid to pay for at least some of
the cost? Finally, would having this operation rule me out of a fetal tissue
implant? Dr. Goldman gave me no time frame.

Thanks to all in advance,

Jacob Drollinger