| A New Me May 7, 2003 The First Battery Change My life is full of of new tasks and accomplishments. I have discovered that this "new life" may be helpful to others. Medtronics, the company that has made my DBS has invited me to be an Activa Ambassador. So now I have the financial backing to travel as I tell about my life pre-op and post op. The stories I share to others I hope give those who are suffering from the similar symptons a new hope. It is a not a cure for PD, but it does improve, quite dramatically, quality of life. In addition, I have been working hard at gaining public awareness that this has become no longer an "old person's disease". I have been quite active in our local support group, starting with fundraisers, letters in the paper, updating our flyers, making brochures, and helping to arrange guest speakers. In additionI have volunteered hours of research to help with my on-line support group; YOPA (Young Onset Parkinsons Association). I am the editor of our on-line news letter, the Pennsylvania State Representative, as well as a member. I raised over $2500 for the Unity Walk in New York City. I was able to complete the two mile journey, and it was wonderful to meet new faces and connect them with names. My battery change has provided me with a little more juice, so the dystonia has been relieved a bit. Because of that, there is very litle tremor in my left side. My right side continues to keep all PD symptoms at bay.. The surgery itself was pretty uneventful, as far as I know. I was in the OR at 8:00, and ready to leave for home by noon. The site is still sore, but to be expected. Tomorrow I can remove the bandage, and I have a follow-up visit on Wednesday with my neurosurgeon. So, a couple more weeks of healing, and I should be back in the saddle again. I find it so interesting though, the amount of caring that us parkies share together. It is a bond that I've never experienced before. Some refer to us with DBS as the "hole in the head gang". |