It's Time

"It's time."

It's time for school.  It's time for work.  It's time to buy groceries.  It's time to pick up the kids.  It's time to go to town.  It's time to run a load of laundry; get dinner started; clean the house; take a shower; look at lesson plans; get up, go here, get dressed, go there, brush teeth, take a pill, eat, sleep, breathe, pee!...

It's time...

...for a D.B.S.!

Holy crap!  Really?   Like the rest of the world rolling ever closer to the end of 2017, this now 52-year-old-gray-haired-PD bloggin'-hott-mama-of-4 with an endless tirage of time for stuff to do came to a screeching halt recently when she heard a very smart doctor say to my hotthubby, Dannypoo, "It's time for a D.B.S."

Wait....what?

I've heard of DBS, or Deep Brain Stimulation, before.  Of course we have.  A DBS is a surgical therapy for people with Parkinson's Disease.  Sure, we have even met a few PD friends who have undergone this procedure.

But, like normal...I decided to file DBS away and pretend it is only for people with crazy symptoms, super rich, and well, last resort ditch efforts to maintain a "normal" quality of life.  Besides, from the little I heard,  getting a DBS is a super scary BRAIN surgery where the patient stays AWAKE!  Nah....not my hotthubby, right?

Wrong.

After tweaking a wide range of medications and watching stinking Parkinson's Disease symptoms creep up for the last 10 years since his diagnosis, in 2017 we heard "It's time for a DBS."

"In DBS surgery, thin wires called electrodes are placed into one or both sides of the brain in specific areas (either the subthalamic nucleus or the globus pallidus interna) that control movement."  Deep Brain Stimulation for Dan has been on the horizon for a few years now.  However, over the past few months, we have been to a number of appointments with neurologists and, just before the holidays, met (get this) virtually with a neurosurgeon at the Richmond Veteran's Administration, Dr. Kathryn Holloway.  According to the DBS nurse, Dr. Holloway is a "rock star" when it comes to DBS surgery.  She has done 500 Deep Brain Stimulation procedures with success.  And as a US Air Force Veteran, the surgery can occur, ironically, as part of Dan's VA "benefits".  Wow.  

Time to ramp up advocacy for Parkinson's awareness, funding for research, and development of a cure!  Maybe the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research can fix PD before Dr. Holloway drills a hole in Dan's head!

All the nerves aside, want to know something pretty cool about DBS?  In one of Dan's many appointments, I heard someone say (and I don't remember who said it) that a successful DBS can "set the clock back 10 years" on Parkinson's symptoms.

10 years!

Levi, our youngest, was only 2 years old ten years ago!  Both our sons have no idea of what their daddy was like before the physical limitations of Parkinson's Disease.  A DBS?

It's about time.

"There is a appointed time for everything. 

And there is a time for every event under heaven..."  
Ecclesiastes 3:1

(Return for more "It's Time" blogs to journal our 2018 DBS Journey... Your prayers and support are needed and encouraged!)

Politicans and Parkinson's Disease Always

U.S. Senator Cory Booker.  Do you know him?  Honestly, I really don't have a clue who he is. With the recent election, politics have invaded my family time with incessant calls on our home phone - always during dinner!   I am not the most political savy rower in the boat, that's for sure!  But, when the National Parkinson's Foundation shared this link, I listened!

Even if I do not follow politics closely on national matters as well as I should, my radar always perks up when I hear any elected representative of the people speak on Parkinson's Disease.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker's message in this short video is no exception!

I especially like what he says about recognizing the early signs of Parkinson's Disease.  For this, I congratulate and admire his promotion and support during this Caregiver Month:  November.  Countless times, someone will ask me how Dan (my husband) knew that he had Parkinson's Disease.  We eagerly share the story from 2008 when his neurologist gave him the news:  "You have Parkinson's Disease."  In fact, a cousin just asked me about the specifics and how to get help.

Well, here is the answer!  Thank you Corey Booker, U.S. Senator, whereever you are!  With this helpful video, resources from the National Parkinson's Foundation are ready and waiting to assist!  In my experience, all you have to do is ask; and a friendly compassionate person from NPF is waiting to guide you!

Now, go watch and share this clip!

Moving Day Chicago Meets W.Va. Team Co-Captain...ME!

Hello,

My name is Angie Hott.  My husband, Dan, has Parkinson's Disease.  We have four children and live in rural West Virginia.

I am tickled to be an honorary co-captain for Team Martini Shakers participating in the upcoming Moving Day, Chicago.

Like the picture I chose to tag?  I.LOVE.IT!


The reason I selected this picture is because I strongly feel that this represents how with God's love, a positive attitude, and some pretty awesome neurologists, we can kick this stinkin' thing called Parkinson's Disease!

You see, when Dan was diagnosed in 2008, one of the crazy things that scared me was how his symptoms would progress.  At the time, our boys were just 2 and 3 years old.  I worried if he would be able to dance at our two daughter's weddings.

Well, here he is at Caity's wedding on June 8, 2014...six years since his diagnosis.  He not only danced at the reception; but he walked Caity to a beautiful alter of sand and sea before our closest friends and family.

Although we will not be in Chicago in a few days to walk with you, we will be there in spirit!  For what we do today to help bring awareness to Parkinson's Disease will have Dan dancing at Violet's wedding next!

She's only 14 now...so let's get busy!!!!

And, so you know this is a nation wide event, check out the National Parkinson's Foundation spokesperson, Katie Couric, she is also involved because her father suffered from Parkinson's Disease.

To donate to Parkinson's research and learn more about Moving Day, see here:  Team Martini Shakers  Then click on "Angie Hott" (in blue) if you feel so moved to donate.  If not, that's fine too...thanks for spending a little time on this site and send it along by sharing!

Now,...here is the remainder of NPF's Moving Day info:

I am participating in the Moving Day Chicago walk, benefiting the National Parkinson Foundation on October 19, 2014.

The event will take place at the Grove 2 at Lincoln Park and will be a fun-filled, family-friendly event for all ages and abilities. We will be able to enjoy a variety of movement activities yoga, dance, Pilates, Tai Chi, stretching and much more and celebrate the importance of movement in our lives.

Please consider being a part of my team or sponsoring me, and I encourage you to get your friends, family and coworkers involved.

Why Get Involved

The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) continues to bring help and hope to the estimated one million people in the United States, four to six million worldwide, who are living with Parkinson’s disease. NPF is the only organization with a singular focus on improving the quality of care in Parkinson’s disease. NPF programs reach more than one million people a year through its network of 39 chapters, 43 Centers of Excellence and 900 support groups. Since 1982, NPF has funded more than $180 million in care, research and support services.

Thank you for helping me reach my fundraising goal to support the vital work of the National Parkinson Foundation.