Deep Brain Diary: My Life as a Guy with Parkinson's Disease and Brain Surgery Volunteer - Softcover

Schmalfeldt, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1452801444 ISBN 13: 9781452801445

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010

Synopsis

It was nearly four weeks after his 45th birthday when Bill Schmalfeldt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In addition to having to get used to having what he always thought of as a old man's disease, Bill had to adjust to the idea that his condition would only deteriorate. After seven years, Bill learned about an experimental clinical trial of deep brain stimulation for patients in the less-advanced stages of Parkinson's. He was one of 30 people to sign up for this Phase I trial testing the safety and tolerability of the procedure. In this group, 15 patients were randomized to the surgical group while 15 were asked to just continue taking their medicine as before so they could be compared to the surgical group in the months and years to come. The author's proceeds from the sale of this book and/or download will be donated to the National Parkinson Foundation to assist in their marvelous work towards finding a cure and new and better treatments for PD.

About this title

About the Author

This book began its life as a blog -- http://parkinsondiary.com -- and folks thought it might be a worthwhile thing to take it and turn it into a book. So, what do I know? Here it is. I'm a 55-year old federal employee with three decades of experience in broadcasting and journalism. I work from home because the Parkinson's disease I was diagnosed with in 2000 has made it difficult to walk. We're also at the point where it's more difficult to talk, to swallow, to focus on things, etc. It's all the rich tapestry that is Parkinson's disease. I tell my story of being diagnosed, of volunteering for experimental deep brain stimulation surgery, and the after effects with a sense of humor... bordering on gallows humor at times. I hope I can bring a smile to your face and make you realize that Parkinson's is not a death sentence... ...it's a LIFE sentence.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1452801444
• ISBN 13: 9781452801445
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 226