Poplar Springs family, the time I have been both dreading and looking forward to is drawing nigh. I was informed by my doctors that this procedure which was experimental and rather cutting edge when my mother had Parkinson’s was now a standard procedure for those being diagnosed with the ailment. I was still somewhat skeptical and fatalistic thinking I would rather die than have someone play around in my cranium for four hours while I was awake and communicating with the surgical team . I had a great relationship with my PA Clarisse and told her ….no way! She assured me that I would come around as I assured her that I would rather just head on to the Happy Hunting Ground. Clarisse was right. As I said on Sunday, I am to the point that I will have my head carefully removed and mail it to them if it would expedite this dreaded procedure. I am ready! I was scheduled to have surgery on Wednesday, July 29th, but due to a positive Covid-19 test today, I am quarantined until they retest me on the 29th. At that point, they will reschedule me. Pray that it will be sooner rather than later. No need to worry–I don’t have any symptoms and I feel fine I just wish I could get the surgery over with! Please feel free to contact me by phone or email since I will continue to stay out of the office and stuck at home until surgery takes place.
DBS …. Deep brain stimulation is a four hour procedure that entails the placement of electrodes on particular areas of my brain which will be determined by a conversation with me while I am in the midst of the surgery . They will make a quarter sized hole in the back of my skull and begin probing and quizzing while planting wires in areas that will hopefully improve my motor skills , my speech and thought processes and will perhaps allow me to reduce my medicine as it addresses the “off times” I have when I become distant and speechless (or at least incoherent). This is phase one.
A couple of weeks after surgery, I will return to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for an outpatient procedure to place a rechargeable battery pack at the top of my chest near my shoulder and the electrode wires will be hooked up . I asked them to install a TV remote and garage door opener as well. The team and Kim did not think this was as humorous as I did. My wife doesn’t think I’m funny and the doctors have heard this stuff before. After hookup I will be ready to learn my new device and its effects on my thought processes.
In the coming years the procedure will be repeated on the other side of my brain if the process works as it should. Early on in my adventure I told the neurology folks to consider me a research project. So Dr. Stephen Tatter and the team will play with the abnormal brain of Rev. Oliver while they are in there. He said this would take an additional 30 minutes. Pray that :
- Kim and the boys will be ok
- Katherine/Nicole/Vickie/church leadership will be supported by a tremendous loving congregation during a tricky period in our church
- My brain can be located
- The procedure will work
- The research will help those in the future with PD
God bless you Poplar Springs ……I am praying for you ! MUCH LOVE…….Andy O.