New Surgery Date & What's Going to Happen!

Rick and his Neurosurgeon, Dr. Taras Masnyk

First things first, Rick's surgery date has been changed.  It's now in less than ONE WEEK!  It's now scheduled for Monday, September 26, most likely at 7:00 am.   12 hours after we were scheduled to come home from Las Vegas!  Needless to say, Rick will not be joining me for this years convention! 

The last couple of weeks have been fun filled days with doctor appointments galore!  It's interesting how many pre-tests are required before a person is cleared for Brain Surgery!  I suppose that's important, right?  What's so interesting is that even though this is brain surgery, and complicated, it's actually a fairly routine surgery.  The surgeon, Dr. Masnyk, does 2-3 of these surgeries per week.  DBS has been used to treat PD since 2002, and since 1997 to treat tremors.  It is now becoming a very popular option for the newly diagnosed PD patient.  It wasn't an option for us at the beginning, but knowing what I know now, I would encourage anyone who was newly diagnosed to seriously look at this option.  

We met with Dr. Masnyk at the beginning of September to discuss the actual surgery and what was going to happen, what Rick could or couldn't do afterwards, and really what to expect.  It was an hour that was a bit more than we expected.  Dr. Masnyk was very detailed about the entire procedure and did an excellent job answering the thousand questions I had!  One of the things that determines the success of this surgery is the precise placement of the electrodes into the brain.  This is a picture of the electrode that they'll place deep within Rick's brain, near the globus pallidus, an area that controls the coordination of movement.  The electrode is actually very soft and pliable, not too different from "al-dente" spaghetti! 

The electrode similar to the one that will be implanted in Rick's brain.

The morning of Rick's surgery they will put him in a halo type head cage, shave his head, and then there is a device that will scan his brain and will be overlaid with the results from the IMRI, a cutting edge new MRI that is being used by Central Dupage Neurosciences Institute to better place the electodes.  You can read more about that here Interoperative MRI at CDH.  Rick will be under a light anesthesia during the initial part of the surgery.  While they make the small hole in his skull and initially place the electrode.  What's amazing to me is that the most amount of blood he's expected to loose is 3 tablespoons!  

This is a life size model of the brain, and this is a very close representation of where the electrode will be located.

Then the fun begins.  Rick will be woken up to be an active participant in the correct placement of the electrode.  Dr. Rezak will be in the OR with him and will be performing a series of clinical tests to ensure that they got the optimal location to place the electrode!  There's a piece of me that wants to be in there with him, and another that's glad I won't be!!!  Once they have it right then they will bolt the end of the electrode lead to his skull.  He'll have a bump there from now on, but once those curls come back there will be no way you could tell!

The lead connecting the electrode to the stimulator

Normally after that, they'd put him under anesthesia to complete the surgery, but thanks to Medicare, they require it be done in two separate surgeries.  So about a week after the electrode is implanted, the rest of the procedure will be done in an outpatient surgery.  Dr. Masnyk will reopen the incision on Rick's head, and then insert a lead to the piece that is bolted to Rick's skull.  The lead will be implanted down the back of his neck and into his clavicle.  From there the stimulator will be implanted and connected.

The stimulator, with lead attached that will be implanted in his clavicle

The stimulator is basically a pacemaker for the brain.  It's battery operated and depending upon how much "juice" Rick needs will determine how often it needs to be surgically replaced.  About a month after the stimulator is implanted, we'll return to Dr. Rezak's office to have it turned on and adjusted.  That's when the real excitement begins! 

 We found this awesome video on YouTube of a man on his one year anniversary of his DBS surgery. Now he's older and not in nearly as great physical shape as Rick, but watch it and you'll see why we're expecting a 100% recovery!  WARNING:  If you REALLY love my husband...this might make you over the top excited, or teary! 

 

Finally for those of you who really are interested in the actual surgery, there is a great video by the Mayfield Clinic of an actual surgery.  It's not exactly how it will go for Rick, but it's pretty close.  If you're interested in that, you can watch it here  Mayfield Clinic DBS Surgery.  WARNING:  It's an ACTUAL DBS surgery.  

I want to thank all of your for your continued prayers, love and support.  It means the world to us.  Rick is doing incredible and is very eager for Monday to come!  His attitude is tremendous, and his faith in God's promises are rock solid.  He is leaning on this scripture from The Message Bible: Jeremiah 33:7

"I'll restore everything that was lost to Judah (Rick) and Jerusalem (Traci). I'll build everything back as good as new."

The BEST is yet to come!  - RPOJC

With all our love, In Jesus Name!


Traci & Rick