5 years ago
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hero
hero n., a man of great courage.
I'm sure that all of you feel that your dad is one of your heroes, but tonight I feel it very acutely. As most of you know, my dad has Parkinson's Disease. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to deal with all of the symptoms he faces, but he handles it with amazing grace. In a move I'm not sure if I could have made myself, he has elected to be proactive in managing his symptoms and improving the quality of his life (and, in turn, the quality of many lives - mine included) by doing something about it. He's in the hospital tonight, and in the morning he will undergo 6-12 hours of brain surgery. I'm so proud of him - and, to be truthful, I'm a little bit frightened.
Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery is (to my meager understanding) a surgery in which two holes (each the size of a quarter) are drilled into the skull so that doctors can insert probes deep into the brain. These probes are connected to insulated wires that run betweeen the skull and the skin going down the side of the head, behind the ear, and down to the chest area where they will implant a pulse generator (also known as a brain pacemaker). This device will send electrical impulses to the probes in the brain to interfere with the neural activity that is currently going on there. Because feedback from the patient is essential for optimal placement of the probes in the brain, he will undergo most of this surgery while he is completely and totally awake.
Wow.
If that isn't courageous, I honestly don't know what is.
I love my dad, and I have great hope that this surgery will be a tremendous blessing in his life. Please include him in your prayers. . . I know it will make a difference.
Love to all. . . especially you, Daddy!
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8 comments:
We will include him in our prayers! What a great guy! :)
Melissa, I love your father so much and fondly think of how kind he was to me during the days of our early friendship. I will definitely keep him in my prayers today. Much love to all your family.
I will keep him in my prayers! I sure hope that all goes well.
I have always admired your father for so many reasons. He is truly a very kind man. We will definitely include him in our prayers as well as your family.
Prayers, love, hugs and kisses!!!
Our family will fast for him this Sunday. Uncle Dave has always been a strong example to everyone around him.
WOW! I hope everything is well, We will keep your Family in our prayers too!
Of course, we love your dad too. We will be thinking of and including him in our prayers. This is a huge display of courage, I agree, and not surprising for him, for having so much grace. We include your Mom, family, and you and yours as well. Love to you, Melissa.
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