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| Rick & the amazing Dr. Rezak |
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| Rick & Allison, nurse extraodinaire! |
From the start of working with our neurologist, Dr. Michael Rezak, it's been a complicated dance between doctor & patient. Well, let me back up....before PD, Rick didn't like to even take an aspirin for a headache. Get him on a series of medication to treat PD, well, let's just say he wasn't enthusiastic!
Dr. Rezak has been a tremendous blessing to us since we started working with him in 2003/2004.
Psalm 118:7a says: "The LORD is for me among those who help me"
That hasn't meant that Rick has always gone along with what Dr. Rezak wanted! He started talking to us about the possibility of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) more than a year ago. As usual, we weren't anxious to jump on the plan. We always thought of DBS as something that would be done as a last resort. When Rick first was diagnosed there was lots of press about the bad brain surgery Michael J. Fox had, a thalamotomy, where they actually burn scar tissue in part of your brain. Needless to say, we had a bad impression of what brain surgery would mean.
This past spring when Rick's dyskinesia started to get progressively worse, and Dr. Rezak tried, unsuccessfully, to treat it with medication, he started to discuss the option of DBS AGAIN! We had read a bit about it, but truly, really had never wanted to consider BRAIN SURGERY!!! This time Dr. Rezak patiently explained to us the benefits of DBS, and how over the last almost 10 years, it has been a gold standard of treatment, even in early stages of Parkinson's. When he started describing patients who had dramatically reduced their symptoms and medications, and how this could be something that perhaps could last for DECADES, he had us at DECADES!
We sought the Lord for guidance on this, talked about it, looked it up, heck, even went to our very first ever PD support group to meet people who had DBS surgery! The support group was interesting. One person who had the DBS wasn't doing well at all, and another was doing great. We literally saw the whole spectrum that night, and learned some valuable things. I thank God that there were more than just the one person who wasn't doing well, because that would've made this entire thing not very appealing. What we learned that night is that waiting too long before electing to have the surgery could result in less of a dramatic improvement or outcome. In spite of that, what I read, and just the thought of BRAIN SURGERY, we had peace. There was Phillipians 4:7 again! " and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
It's interesting that after all this time of us not wanting to consider this surgery, as soon as we felt that peace, and made the decision, we were ready now!!! It's astonishing to see what happens once you make a decision to move forward. The things we started to think about and dream about were thrilling! We're firm believers in the biblical principle of "calling those things that aren't as though they were" but sometimes it's challenging when you're staring PD straight in the face on a regular basis.
So let me tell you what DBS is expected to do for Rick.
It treats (I prefer to say it eliminates):
How awesome is that??? This past spring when Rick's dyskinesia started to get progressively worse, and Dr. Rezak tried, unsuccessfully, to treat it with medication, he started to discuss the option of DBS AGAIN! We had read a bit about it, but truly, really had never wanted to consider BRAIN SURGERY!!! This time Dr. Rezak patiently explained to us the benefits of DBS, and how over the last almost 10 years, it has been a gold standard of treatment, even in early stages of Parkinson's. When he started describing patients who had dramatically reduced their symptoms and medications, and how this could be something that perhaps could last for DECADES, he had us at DECADES!
We sought the Lord for guidance on this, talked about it, looked it up, heck, even went to our very first ever PD support group to meet people who had DBS surgery! The support group was interesting. One person who had the DBS wasn't doing well at all, and another was doing great. We literally saw the whole spectrum that night, and learned some valuable things. I thank God that there were more than just the one person who wasn't doing well, because that would've made this entire thing not very appealing. What we learned that night is that waiting too long before electing to have the surgery could result in less of a dramatic improvement or outcome. In spite of that, what I read, and just the thought of BRAIN SURGERY, we had peace. There was Phillipians 4:7 again! " and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
It's interesting that after all this time of us not wanting to consider this surgery, as soon as we felt that peace, and made the decision, we were ready now!!! It's astonishing to see what happens once you make a decision to move forward. The things we started to think about and dream about were thrilling! We're firm believers in the biblical principle of "calling those things that aren't as though they were" but sometimes it's challenging when you're staring PD straight in the face on a regular basis.
So let me tell you what DBS is expected to do for Rick.
It treats (I prefer to say it eliminates):
- Stiffness
- Slowness (I don't think it will change how incredibly SLOW he eats!)
- Tremors
- Dyskinsesia & Dystonia
- The "on/off" fluctuations he has with his medications. What happens now is that he gets "window's" of time where the medication is working great, but then it begins to wear off, and then takes a while before the next dose kicks in. It basically gives him a good couple of hours every couple of hours.
- It may also allow a significant reduction in medication.
One of Rick's favorite verses is Luke 1:37 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Some patients have 80-90% improvement. I'm believing for 100%! Why not! We hope you'll believe for that with us! In fact, so many of you have been so incredible in your love, support and offer of prayers, it's just overwhelming! If we could ask for something specific when you remember to pray for us, is to pray for that...complete restoration, and 100% improvement.
Until next time....
With all our love, In Jesus Name!
Traci & Rick
Traci, as I was reading what DBS treats as far as slowness, your comment about Rick eating hits the nail on the head. I was laughing so hard I was in tears. I see some things never change. God bless you both.
ReplyDeleteMark