Re-designing your life plans.

[Manpa]

Well folks I am pleased to report things are still travelling in the right direction. All superflous bits and pieces have been removed, catheter, drip, oxygen etc and have been moved from ICU and into ward for 24hours. Up and walking around, had the first shower and sitting in a chair dressed in her own clothing. She was pretty good on the tooth before but my god is she putting some tucker away now!
We have a visit from the Medtronics specialist and learnt how to use the stimulator and the charger plus all the dos and don'ts, pretty straight forward really, re charge once a week for 2-4 hours and she'll be all good. Can go without access to 240v for up to three weeks.
Medications are being reduced gradually and the Prof is hopeful of getting down to one tablet a day, maybe even none.
We did a couple of two to three hundred metre walks today, no discomfort, no freezing. She slept for nearly twelve hours straight last night, pretty bloody good for someone who has survived on 3-4 hours a night if she was lucky.
We are simply overjoyed at her improvement and both docs say it will get better still over the next six months of tinkering with the controller. Hopefully Lorraine will leave hospital on Monday.
For anyone out there who may be dealing with Parkinsons I would certainly discuss this option with your neurologist, I know it's not suitable for everyone but it would be worth exploring, I would be happy to talk to anyone personally about our experience and maybe ease any of their concerns.
Cheers and Yahooooooooo!

 

[Mackka]

Great news Pa, wow, such a huge response to treatment, it doesn't get any better.
I envy Ma getting all that sleep in hospital,as my two hour ops gave me the irits.
I get 4 hours sleep per night and I thought that was normal AFTER my op.
Big kiss to Ma and so pleased with your future.
God Bless
Mackka :Y: :Y: :Y: :Y:

 

[Manpa]

The lass from Medtronics said she loves being involved with Parkinsons patients as the results from the DBS are quite remarkable and instantaneous. Lorraine commented that she could feel and see her legs flailing around during surgery and when they told her they were turning the stimulator on her legs went completely still, turn it off and away they went. Her writing before the op was illegible, now it's all right and can be read easily.
Who thinks this stuff up?

 

[Mackka]

You know Pa I have thought that many, many times myself.
Other things as well, the petrol engine, the modern printing press and should I mention the SIM card. Get outta here that thing is so small and yet contains your entire life.
Love to both.
Mackka

 

[pagan prospector]

sooo bloody happy for you both manpa just another little miracle posted on PA its moments like these that can almost make a very cynical ex nurse re believe in the system love the fact that Ma has improved so much so quickly
geoff

 

[LONEWOLF]

A Great Outcome for you and Ma..... :Y:

All the Best to those who are in a tough zone ATM..... :Y: O

LW....

 

[Manpa]

Thanks Pagan, I was with her today when they made some small changes to the stimulator program and she commented to the doc, if this is as good as it gets I'll be happy, he replied plenty of room for improvement yet. Couldn't 't wipe the smile off our faces.
She has commented so often that they have given her life back.
We are very fortunate she is having such good results short term and understand there may be some setbacks as her brain settles after surgery but our neurologist reckons he can minimise any negatives. No more artificial dopamine being taken, so just the volume of tablets has been reduced to two a day. Able to sleep and a healthy appetite will see her get stronger every day.
Hopefully home tomorrow for a quiet 5-6 weeks rest and recuperation.
I cannot thank the neurologists, surgeons, Medtronics staff and all the nursing staff enough, they have been absolutely fabulous and we have nothing but the highest of respect for all of them.
Cheers

 

[Mackka]

Thanks Be To God.
Prayers as always ManPa.
Gotta love our Health Professionals.
Mackka :Y: :Y: :Y: :Y: :Y: :Y: :Y:

 

[Jaros]

I'll vouch for that Mackka. All the best Manpa. :Y:

 

[pagan prospector]

come on manpa how about an update ive started biting my nails again (well nearly) hows ma doing is she getting around yet? hope she pinches your detector so she can practice her new improved swing in anticipation
pagan p

 

[Manpa]

Hi Pagan, gone backwards a bit but that is to be expected, it's part of what they call the micro lesion effect where the brain is over its compensation phase from the surgery. Spent a couple of hours with the neurologist yesterday programming the stimulator after she came to a complete stop. Up and about again now with the aid of some meds and the new settings, still slow but is once again expected for the next week to 10 days. Back for another round of tweaking on Monday with neurologist, back to the surgeon Tuesday and off to Medtronics this afternoon. No rest for the wicked.
Stitches all removed yesterday and she decided to completely shave her head, looks like a cross between Frankenstein and
Sinead OConnor but without the voice!
All heading in the right direction, thanks for asking, much appreciated.

 

[Mackka]

Thanks for the update Pa.
Mackka

 

[BigWave]

We're all hanging in for both you Pa :Y:

 

[Manpa]

Well the games continue, we've just been to Medtronics because we are having trouble getting a charge connection and it would appear that the stimulator has rolled in Lorraine's chest, only can be charged one way, so off for X-rays to confirm that is the case and then back to the surgeon at some stage to either manually rotate it or surgery to rotate it. Just waiting on the phone call, good news is we charged it Friday in hospital so it's at 75% so it gives about a week to get it sorted.
Not too phased as I'm going to win 100 million tonight so all is good! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[BigWave]

Hey Pa, pity you didn't want me to be a 1/100 shareholder in the draw!

 

[RM Outback]

Hey Pa, pity you didn't want me to be a 1/100 shareholder in the draw!

And I'm happy to be number two .

 

[Manpa]

I'd reckon if you won a 100 million you'd have to share it around, I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what to do with it, you would need to make some pretty considered decisions. You could set your family and future generations up for many decades I'd reckon. Like most I'd probably go a new 4wd and caravan to start the ball rolling.
X-rays tomorrow for the missus, surgery Wednesday if it confirms stimulator has rolled. If not, I'm not sure where we head.

 

[RM Outback]

Best of luck with the Xray and the Lottery at a minimum I hope the Xray pays out for you :Y:.

 

[pagan prospector]

fear not pa just another bloody bump in the road as always you will get over it. When i could hear properly the only thing i didnt really like about Sinaed OConner was her voice loved her hair style really made her stand out and just think how much yuo will save on shampoo reckon a 7000 may be on the cards with those savings good luck to Ma for tomorrow
Pagan P

 

[Dignit]

It was just two weeks after this thread started, the Sat evening before Mothers Day, that I rushed my wife to emergency with severe lower abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with suspected ovarian cancer. A few weeks later, with being pushed to the top of the surgical list, a laparoscopic hystorectomy and biopsy confirmed the cancer. She is now in to her 2nd month of 6 months of chemo. Today we have been informed the cancer is more advanced than what we thought. In short we've been told to get through the chemo and go and enjoy life while she can. She has more exploratory surgery to undergoe in early Oct and her responsiveness to chemo is still unknown. These uncertainties make it difficult to put an accurate time on life expectancy. However her 3C stage of cancer puts her in the statistical category of a 41% chance of living longer than 5 years. Even if she is lucky and is one of the 59% longevity beyond 5 years is short. The oncologist said that the longest living patient she has ever had is 12 years, and statistically that was an outlier.
We were just starting to plan retirement in 10 years at age 67. My wife is now not likely to make it. We now have to get through the next 5 months of treatments and while doing so work out how we can give her the best few remaining years of her life. We were battling to come up with the 10 year retirement plan let alone having to bring everything considerably forward. The oncologist said get through the chemo and if there's things you want to do get on and do them. She said if we're lucky we'll be chatting in 3 or 4 years and all your money will be gone; meaning all 3 of us will be lucky to be talking in 3 to 4 years. Told the kids tonight, 2 boys, 21 and 25. That was the hardest thing for my wife. She didn't want to upset them. She keeps apologising for getting sick. She is being very optimistic and accepting that it is what it is. But I'm sure it really hasn't sunk in yet. It certainly hasn't for me. It feels better to get this off my chest. I'm told it's therapeutic to talk about it. So thanks for listening. Andy aka Dignit