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

Monday, March 16

Well, after a couple of reschedules it is finally the day to hop on the planes and go to San Francisco. Hank and Marilyn were scheduled to arrive around 12:30. Sue and I were to be there just before them so that we could meet them at the plan.

As luck would have it both flights were one hour late. We were able to get one pass to go in and meet mom and dad so Sue went in to help them off the plane. We had a small car rental snafu, they wanted to give us a two door convertible. Nice, but not what we needed for four people, a walker, four suitcases and a couple of backpacks.

Then straight to the VA, with only one missed turn. Since we were late getting in Dad was late for the appointment with the head neurology surgical nurse, Susan H., but she was nice enough to wait for us. We went over med's, past surgeries, walking, accidents, etc Everything was still good to go. Then it was down for a chest x-ray and blood work.

For dinner we stopped at a restaurant with an ocean view. Dad had a nice prime rib dinner to get him ready for for Tuesday. Back at the hotel was a bit crazy. There was a small bug crawling in the bed when dad flipped the covers back... It was much to large for a "bed bug" so Sue went to the front desk to ask what it was... "it comes down with the rain" is what she was told. At that unbelievable answer she just laughed. So as we all turn in for the night Dad lays his head down and he chucked "it came with the rain Huh"? So we all had another good laugh to end the evening.

Colette & Sue

Parkinson's

As many of you know Hank was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in March of 1995 at the age of 65. Luckily dad was very aware of changes that were happening and was diagnosed in the early stages. With the help of medication he has been able to lead a very full life with little to no restrictions. As time has passed, symptoms have changed, medications have changed and it is now time to take a new look at how help dad with the symptoms of his Parkinson's.


After two rescheduled dates, Feb 11 and March 10 we have a new date. On March 18, 2009, if all goes well, dad will undergo DBS, Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. Just what does this mean? In short, a small pacemaker type of electrode will be inserted into the right side of dad's brain. This will help his left side symptoms, tremors, etc. There will be a "lead" wire that is fed down and into his chest for future "tune-ups" as needed.

To read more about DBS you can go to: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/deep_brain_stimulation/deep_brain_stimulation.htm