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Jim, best wishes and congratulations on you continuing improvements. I would appreciate a copy of your diary. Thank you, [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Jim Finn <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Saturday, May 30, 1998 7:55 PM Subject: "How I'm doing," by Jim Finn >Group - > >Several of you have written to request an update on how I am feeling. As most >of you know, I had the "pig-cell" implant surgery in September of '96. (For >new group members who are not familiar with it, please see the note at the end >of this posting.) And, as you know, I have maintained an account of my >experiences with this highly-experimental xenotransplantation. The results >have been posted to this ListServe every 90 days, immediately following the >quarterly evaluations in Boston. > >Each exam has shown improvement over the 1 before it. All of the motor-skill >testing (those timed checks on walking, finger-tapping, hand up/palm up, etc.) >indicate on-going enhancement. The same is true for the ones that are not >timed, such as balance, rising from a chair, handwriting, and the like. > >In spite of such obviously good news, however, I continued to have some pretty >rough days. There were some good days, too. But about 1 in every 3 or 4 >would take "the wind out of my sails," as they say. This is not surprising; >I've never lost sight of the fact that after 16 years of PD I was considered >an "end-case." To have arrived at this point was rather remarkable. > >Over the last 3 weeks, however, there have been what I consider to be rather >significant changes. I have NOT had a single bad day! It's as if the whole >curve has shifted upwards. Now I'm having pretty good (no, not perfect) days >and better (again, not perfect) days. The dynamics are changing. > >I do not know if this will be reflected in the next battery of testing. That >will take place in 2 weeks. Additionally, there is the possibility that this >whole thing could be an anomaly; with a big "crash" just over the horizon. >The thought of it is very frightening. Finally, we must remember that >"feeling better" is a highly subjective term. It is a concept that is >difficult, at best, to measure scientifically. > >So that's the latest. I'll post another report after the next round of >examinations. > >Jim Finn > >Note: As always, to those of you who have not seen my diary, you may request a >copy by E-Mail. Write directly to me; not to the ListServe.