When Life Gives You Parkinson's Curiouscast

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson’s," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's recent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. It's the culmination of their DBS series, showcasing moments before and after the procedure. (Episode six of our 2023 DBS series)
Larry shares his experiences, from the anticipation of the surgery to post-surgery reflections. He describes the fears he had about the head frame and the surgical process itself, emphasizing the involvement of Nurse Nancy and Dr. Honey. The detailed account covers the electrode installation, the testing of potential targets for relief, and the moments of consciousness during the surgery.
Post-surgery, Larry discusses the "Honeymoon" period, a phase of initial relief and remarkable changes. He talks about the reduction in medication intake, improved bodily functions, and sensory experiences like regaining his sense of smell. Despite these positive changes, he notes signs of needing to gradually reintroduce medication as he experiences disorientation and fatigue.
Larry and Rebecca conclude with observations of minor personality changes and a heartfelt conversation about what comes next.
It's a personal, insightful episode that offers a firsthand account of the realities and changes that come with DBS surgery for Parkinson's Disease.
 
MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode?
We would love you to click here and leave a message  https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons
Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 
Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod
Instagram: @parkinsonspod
Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod
Thanks to Curiouscast
Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Additional thanks to... 
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. 

Season 6, Episode 6
SHOW NOTES                                                                                                           Oct 17, 2023
TITLE:  DBS Pre-Op Talks: Love and Transition
 Podcast Notes:
In the latest episode of the When Life Gives You Parkinson's podcast, hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford discuss the upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. The surgery is scheduled for October 24th, 2023, at UBC Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Larry and Rebecca take the audience through their preparations, discussions, and feelings as the surgery date approaches. They touch on a wide range of topics, including their emotional and practical preparations, managing their son Henry's needs, and the changes in household responsibilities.
They also discuss the potential outcomes of the surgery and what they hope to achieve. They emphasize the importance of quality-of-life improvements and share their gratitude and love for each other.

MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode?
We would love you to click here and leave a message  https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons
Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 
Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod
Instagram: @parkinsonspod
Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod
Thanks to Curiouscast
Dila Velazquez – Story Producer
Greg Schott – Sound Design
Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Thanks also to   
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. 

In this episode, Larry and his partner, Rebecca, discuss what to expect right before, during, and after DBS surgery. The surgery is scheduled for October 24th, 2023, and this episode was recorded about two weeks before the surgery.
The episode covers the pre-surgery preparations, including the need to stop medication before the surgery, and an informative description of the MRI process. Nurse Nancy, who works at British Columbia's DBS clinic, provides insights into the surgery day, which involves anchoring a frame to the patient's head, drilling small holes in the skull, and testing electrode placement to ensure optimal DBS results. The conversation also touches on battery replacement and the possibility of technology upgrades over time.
Nurse Nancy emphasizes the importance of closely monitoring the battery and making adjustments as needed. The recovery period is discussed, with a recommendation to take it easy for about six weeks to allow the brain to heal before turning on the stimulator. The potential reduction in medication is mentioned, with an emphasis on gradual adjustments to ensure a balance between symptom control and medication side effects. The episode provides a detailed and insightful overview of the DBS procedure and what patients can expect throughout the process.

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry Gifford and Rebecca Gifford delve into the world of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), continuing their 2023 series on this treatment option. While sharing their optimism about Larry's upcoming DBS surgery, they also address the importance of discussing the risks associated with it. They present real stories from individuals who've undergone DBS, shedding light on the complexities and varied experiences associated with this treatment. Kim Cornelis shares her personal journey, highlighting both the potential benefits and challenges of DBS. The episode also explores alternative treatments, like light therapy, and emphasizes the significance of open communication about the emotional and psychological impact of DBS, including discussions about suicidal ideation.
Join Larry and Rebecca as they provide valuable insights and a balanced perspective on the choices facing individuals with Parkinson's disease. They emphasize the importance of well-informed decisions, emotional support, and understanding within the Parkinson's community. The podcast aims to raise awareness about the mental health aspects of living with Parkinson's and undergoing treatment.
If you have no one to talk to about your suicidal thoughts, call your country's suicide hotline.
INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINES
In Canada, it's 1-833-456-4566.
In the U.S. Dial 988.
In Australia, 131-114.
And in the UK dial 0800 689 5652.

KEY LINKS
Thank You to:
Kim Cornelis, PwP, Portland, Oregon
Becca Miller, PhD, PwP
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon
Dr. Wayne Markman, founder & CEO of Symbyx Biome
If you have no one to talk to about your suicidal thoughts, call your country's suicide hotline.
INTERNATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINES
In Canada, it's 1-833-456-4566.
In the U.S. Dial 988.
In Australia, 131-114.
And in the UK dial 0800 689 5652.
MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode? We would love you to click here and leave a message  https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons
Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 
Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod
Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod
Instagram: @parkinsonspod
Thanks to Curiouscast
Dila Velazquez – Story Producer
Greg Schott – Sound Design
Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Thanks also to  
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us.
   

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. They introduce Dr. Chris Honey, the neurosurgeon who will perform the procedure the brain surgeon. Dr. Honey breaks down what to expect and the possible risks of DBS, stressing the importance of picking the right surgeon and keeping a positive mindset. After the surgery, the plan is to use the DBS device to replicate Larry's best moments on medication, with the hope of eventually cutting down or even ditching the meds. The episode also brings in Tim Hague Sr., who shares his experience with the medication challenge, underlining just how much Levodopa (medication) can make a world of difference for folks dealing with Parkinson's. The podcast wraps up with a chat about making essential medications accessible worldwide and some cool facts about DBS.
Check out these videos of Larry's OFF CHALLENGE
My Eye Opening DBS "Off Challenge" https://youtu.be/GrlCmrHbtb0?si=PGRaESoYWMt4L5Uc
The Power of Levodopa https://youtu.be/Mg91r2hT6p4?si=xFgVhnCSiRX8haLZ
Thank You to:
Neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher Honey www.DrHoney.com
Nurse Nancy at the Vancouver Coastal Health DBS Clinic  
Tim Hauge Sr. www.TimSr.ca founder of www.uturnparkinsons.org www.pdavengers.com
TV Show House Heel & Toe Films Shore Z Productions Bad Hat Harry Productions Moratim Produktions NBC Universal Television (2004-2007) Universal Media Studios (UMS) (2007)
The Brain Surgeon - That Mitchell & Webb Look , Series 3 - BBC Two

MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode? We would love you to click here and leave a message https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons
Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 
Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod
Instagram: @parkinsonspod
Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod

Thanks to Curiouscast
Dila Velazquez – Story Producer
Greg Schott – Sound Design
Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Thanks also to   
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us.
   

Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are preparing for Larry's DBS surgery scheduled for October 24, 2023. During the evaluation for DBS surgery. Larry needed to completely go off meds for at least 12 hours. The medical team tests motor symptoms while OFF levodopa and then after taking a dosage and waiting forty minutes repeat the tests. Evaluators were looking for a 40% or more difference in my motor symptoms from OFF to ON. It was truly revelatory to see just how much levodopa, the medication commonly used for Parkinson's, impacts daily life.
MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.ca
LEAVE US A MESSAGE: Have a topic or questions that you would like Larry & Rebecca to address on a future episode? We would love you to click here and leave a message  https://www.speakpipe.com/WhenLifeGivesYouParkinsons
WATCH: Here is a link to see a comparison of Larry ON Levodopa and OFF levodopa
Follow us, Larry & Rebecca Gifford 
Twitter: @ParkinsonsPod
Facebook: Facebook.com/ParkinsonsPod
Instagram: @parkinsonspod
Thanks to Curiouscast
Dila Velazquez – Story Producer
Greg Schott – Sound Design
Our Presenting Partner is Parkinson Canada. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada.
Thanks also to   
PD Avengers – We are building a global alliance to end Parkinson’s. Join us. www.pdavengers.com