Tuesday, March 17 - Happy St. Patrick's Day

Testing Day!

With Dad not a very good sleeper and Mom an even a worse sleeper, Sue and I were up most of the night. Dad wanted to get up at 3:00 for the day. Mom was up every hour starting at 2:00. Final wake up time for everyone was about 5:00

We got to the VA by 7:45 a.m. and waited for an EKG on his heart until 8:00. that took all of about 15 min then we had to wait for the Anesthesiologist appointment at 9:00 to once again go over med's, past surgeries, walking accidents,etc. Thank God for the cheap rolls they gave us for continental breakfast because that is all we had until after 2:00. Well, except for Dad, he had breakfast @ 10:30 and lunch by 1:00. So he was happy as a clam!

Then on to meet the head neurology nurse, Susan H. again. Good news - there is a bed available and dad is able to be checked in. At this point all is still good to go. Once in the room the line up of doctors starts. First is an intern who did a very extensive exam with counting backwards, remembering 3 words 5 min. later, hand eye coordination. Med's past surgeries, walking, accidents yet again. Then the charge nurse came in to admit him, more questions.

Susan H. came in with a binder of pictures on what will happen before, during and after the surgery. Then the intern shows up again with with a resident doc, Dr. Bar, who pretty much went over the same tests that the intern did. This Dr had the bed side manner of a rock. He left both Sue and I with the feeling that he didn't think that Dad is bad enough to have the surgery. In fact, we find out the resident says he isn't sure dad has Parkinson's. It may be a muscle disorder! He said he would be back at around 5:00 to talk...at this point it didn't sound good. Note that dad has been having a really good "on" day. He is walking great, hardly any tremors, mind is sharp as a tack.

Mom, Sue and I went to dinner at Mel's Drive In where they filmed American Graffiti. Good hamburgers, malts and root beer floats. Back to the hotel so mom could take a short nap. Sue and I were able to catch up on our emails from work and home. Heading back to the VA Sue called dad to tell him we were on our way. He informs us that 5 doctors have just been in and he isn't sure they are going to go ahead with the surgery. Once we get to dad's room he is comfy watching TV and dinner arrives for him. Man that guy is eating good!

Finally Dr. Glass, who is one of the main DBS surgeons shows up with the resident, Dr. Bar, Once again they go through the same tests. Dr. Bar is still negative about the surgery, but Dr. Glass indicates that it is ultimately up to dad. He would be fine doing the surgery or not. He does state that if dad doesn't do it now his "window of opportunity" will pretty much be closed due to his age. We have some time to talk about it before Susan H comes back for a decision. Dad says he wants to go ahead with the surgery. If it helps stop some of the tremors and will decrease the med's he his taking he is all for it. Dr. Glass had said the med's should be able to be decreased by 50-60%. Susan H. comes back in shortly after 8:00 p.m. and after a brief discussion dad tells her he wants to go ahead with everything.

So...we will be back at the hospital at 5:30 am. Dad is scheduled to go in at approximately 6:00 and will hopefully be in recovery sometime between 2 and 4. We will send an update tomorrow. For now, say some prayers!

Love to all, Marilyn, Colette and Sue