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Dear Friends: FOR REASONS UNKNOWN TO US COMPUTER MORTALS, THE FOLLOWING WAS EVIDENTLY NOT POSTED IN THE LIST DIGEST ON FRIDAY, NOV. 21. SO I DECIDED TO RESEND IT. _________________-_______________________________ It'a 2:00 am CST (Friday, Nov. 21) in Houston and guess who's not sleeping? You mean that guy over there in the corner who's losin' his religion and joining the Hole-In-The-Head Gang today? None other. Hermann Hospital has kindly invited me to a Pallidotomy Party starting at 5:30 this morning. They'll serve Demerol-on-the-rocks. I'll bring a brain. I spent five hours there yesterday for pre-op tests and meetings. Everything could have been done in thirty minutes. Rest of the time was spent waiting for the $%^^#@%$%^ surgeon to appear (four hours late) so I could sign his consent form. My neurologist, the surgeon, my official hand-holder for the day, and the drop-dead blonde anesthesiologist all led me though the procedures for today. Briefly, the facts: right-side pallidotomy . . . process starts at 6:30 am . . . enter OR about 9:30 after frame attachment and MRI . . . exit OR five to six hours later (Hermann does brain mapping, that's why it takes longer.) . . . spend one night in hospital . . . MRI on Saturday morning . . . go home Saturday afternoon if everything is OK.. Based on all that I heard yesterday, the only things I anticipate being unpleasant are the insertion of a .45-caliber needle/suction hose in my arm (OWWWWWW!!!!!) and the ramming of a foley catheter into my bladder (You're going to stick that WHERE???!!!!!!!) Otherwise, I'm not dreading the operation. Actually, it may help me catch up on my sleep. Last four nights, PD symptons have allowed me only three hours of ZZZ's a night. Foxy anesthesiologist told me she'll keep me dopey in a light sleep during the operation, then bring me up anytime the docs want to talk to me. She also said that anytime I want to take a break and sleep while the docs are busy watching Sally Jesse or Jeopardy, just tell her and she'll take me down a few notches. My alarm just buzzed, telling me it's time to pretend I'm waking up and rolling out of bed. Off I go to take a shower, wash what's left of my hair (semi-long style of 20 years abandoned for George Clooney/Brain Surgery haircut), dress and head for Hermann. At this moment, there's only one thing any of my friends could do for me: "BRING ME A DRINK OF WATER!!!!!!!!!" Thanks again for all your messages, support and prayers. Next time you see me I'll be a new man. Well, maybe improved. I'll settle for that. Stan Houston (54/7) [log in to unmask] __________________________________________________________ Well, gang, it's Saturday night and I'm home from the hospital sporting my new George Clooney haircut (with a square bangage in the middle of my head), several expertly placed lesions on my right-brain globus pallidus, and the ability to walk again when my meds are "OFF." Apparently I've also lost all those painful dystonias on my left side. Went six hours Friday night without any meds and no problems! My neuro was excited, I was excited, Shirley was excited, and my blonde NEURO RECOVERY UNIT nurse Sunshine was excited. By all measures so far, my eight hours (YES!) in the operating room was well worth it. Even if they kept waking me up every time I fell asleep. More later. I need to get some ZZZZZZZZ's in my own bed. Stan Houston (54/7)