Year in Review with DBS

As of last Saturday, Sept. 29, was one year since my Deep Brian Stimulation (DBS). So I figured it was a good time to review the past year in relation to getting DBS.

It was a bit scary getting wheeled into the operating room. Waving bye to my wife, wondering if something went wrong, if it would be the last I'd see her. I know she was thinking the same thing. As they wheeled me down the hallway, I remember thinking, "This is my last chance. I could hop off this gurney and say I've changed my mind." But I didn't. Obviously. But I knew going in that though most of them go without a hitch, there is that small percent of a chance of hitting the wrong spot in my brain could cause a hemorrhage, and possibly death, or I could come out of it with severe brain damage. According to the statistics, around a 5% chance of it.

Thankfully, I wasn't one of those 5%. I even didn't get any infections or rejections. Everything went as smoothly as could have been expected. I thank God for his protection and guiding the surgeon.

And being on the table, knowing and feeling the pressure of him cutting into my head, and drilling through my skull, will be experiences I'll remember forever. While I know some come out of that surgery with PTSD, I was mostly curious and was paying attention to everything that was going on around me. Even when they probably thought I was under and out. lol. I recall saying to them at one point, "Should I be awake now?" As it seemed they were preparing to do some other surgical stuff that I would be out for. I even recall them debating about what route to take with the lead on the left side of my brain. One guy suggested putting a rod on my head to check if their new system was positioning it correctly. The head surgeon rejected that idea, thankfully for me. I wasn't too keen on getting  a rod attached to my skull unnecessarily. 

Of course, the recovery was slow going. It took a full six months as I slowly regained my balance, and abilities. At first, I was pretty wobbly due to having my settings turned up too high. All you have to do is go and look at the video on this blog I took shortly after my first setting and getting turned on. I had a real problem fixing myself lunch in the kitchen. One day, after bouncing off the counters and such, I had to give up. It was exhausting.

But after around four or five sessions with my movement disorder specialist, I finally landed on a setting that seemed to "work" for me. At least, it keeps me at a level I could manage. Except for when I did Zumba. That required a lower setting that barely controls my tremors, but is low enough that I can more adequately dance and play pickleball without my legs going crazy.

But the really cool things, is despite all that I've been able to do a lot more writing than I have in a long time. Since Sept. 29 last year, I've finished two novels I started working on and had partially completed, as well as compiling and writing a non-fiction work that I've tentatively titled, "Looking into the Orthodox Church." A book for inquirers into Orthodoxy. That's all in addition to some short stories I've written.

So I've been busy working on that. Also, I started a window cleaning business which was going well while we were in Marble Falls, but now that we are here in Denver CO, we are starting all over again. I've had one potential contact, but that's it so far. But, while in Marble Falls, I was doing around 5 to 7 jobs a month in addition to other jobs, like pressure washing driveways. And it was growing. Hopefully it will grow here too, once I start getting some clients.

Additionally, as several of you know, I will soon start my job at the YMCA here in Denver as a Zumba instructor. I've been patiently waiting for this to happen. Though it is nearing a full month since coming here. Long process, apparently. Anyway, I look forward to that. Not only for getting going in it, but we need the income!

So, I've been asked over and over again whether I would have done DBS knowing what I know now. And my answer has always been "YES!" Though there has been some difficulties here and there with it, the life it has restored in me is well worth it. Someday, my disease will progress to the point DBS is no longer effective, but my hope is with a good diet (as I talked about last post) and plenty of cardio exercise (which I'll be getting plenty of as a Zumba instructor), I can slow the progression down to the point where that will not happen for a few more years.

Stay tuned to this blog to find out what happens to me in the next few years.

BTW, I'm planning on doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November. First one I've done since 2010 I believe, 8 years ago. check out my writing blog for more news of that.