UTI!!

 Ah ha, that's the culprit! Started on antibiotics Friday, feeling somewhat better today but more importantly - I can walk. I can get around! I can ....... Ya, that ......

Amazing how we are designed to do without so much (80% of dopamine receptors in your brain are gone by the time most people with PD are diagnosed), yet an infection that seems to cause some lower back pain and seems so far removed from your brain can mess you up so much.

Missed church this morning. Still have the lower back pain 😐😞

UTI?

I'm wondering .... J's mom always used to get quite loopy when she had a UTI. Could that be the problem? 

And why is it? ....

 that the font keeps changing in my posts?   😀

Session 3 - some relief

We finally got a call back from the London Hospital. The doctor not only confirmed some of my thoughts - specifically that we need to treat each side individually and that the left side needs to follow the right instead of keeping pace, but also prescribed Sinemet CR (controlled release) for use overnight.

It may not be ready at the pharmacy today. Hoping it doesn't take too long to come in.

In the meantime awesome friends are offering some relief from the heat and the stress this evening.

We are blessed.

Why does my life seem to be; I complain, God provides, I wonder if God will, God does. He is always faithful!

Take, take, take

 Sometimes Parkinson's seems like it just takes and takes and takes.....

What it gives back is humility. I can no longer do it all. Why I ever thought I could is a QUESTION FOR ANOTHER DAY.

Session 3 - what 1.5mA on both sides does to me

Hi B,

We are doing well. DBS - is being a bit of a pain. Ok, more than a bit. In concept the surgery is fantastic. It's just harder to dial in the settings than we expected. I was diagnosed with PD in the Spring of 09, but these past few days have been the worst symptoms and/or side effects that I have (that we have - as Judi has had to help me more than ever) ever had. It runs from extreme tremors, lack of strength, inability to move - especially overnight, to vivid dreams where I yell and act out.

We have contacted the hospital but have not heard back yet. I am working on some theories within the constraints of what I am "allowed" to do with DBS settings, and that is a whole 'nother story about my thoughts on health care.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We have HOPE (in God's plan) and hope (in the DBS technology) and know that we will get "there".

I have some fundamental disagreements with how my settings are being updated and I am seeking answers from other experts. And I really want to explain that, by experts I mean other PD patients who have had DBS.

Church family update

 The second programming session was this past Monday. The stimulation levels have now reached a point where I can really notice a difference. In fact, we bumped up the level from 0.5mA (milliamps) to 1.0mA and I was having a bit of trouble tolerating it. I ended up lowering it to 0.8mA. Tuesday I was in bed most of the day just catching up on sleep.

I am tolerating 1.0mA much better today.

Thank you very much for all your prayers and best wishes. I really appreciate it.