This surgery is pretty fascinating if I can describe it in layman’s terms…
(obviously this is my interpretation of the procedure I will have done, please take into account that one of my biggest challenges is restraining my imagination from distorting medical facts!)
Although the shaky leader pictured above has managed to maintain his impressive crop of ginger locks. The reality (of which my two young girls are most concerned about) is that a meeting with a hair trimmer will be required to ensure a silky smooth, chrome dome is presented to the neurosurgeon.
You’ll need to stop taking your meds the day before you go into surgery.
An especially stylish frame (think Lisa Simpson’s braces) is attached with 4 pins. This frame is used throughout the surgery, but first it will allow some fancy scanners to produce targets for the surgeon, to later help aim his electrodes.
You will be wheeled to the theatre and ‘helped to relax’ if need be – however you will need to remain conscious for the bulk of this procedure.
The theatre will then take on the look of its more entertaining namesake. With a room dividing curtain (not of velvet, but clear sterile plastic) setup to separate the part of your head that the neurologist will talk to; from the skillful art of your neurosurgeon – on the other side.
Your neurologist will act much like a navigator selecting targets and communicating with your neurosurgeon, to prepare for success. Then you will be underway.
I can’t think of a delicate way to describe this so take a breath before reading on…
Firstly, and happily ? as you will find is regularly pointed out – your brain does not feel pain! Which is great news; however, the rest of your head as you will have no doubt found out already in your life; can be somewhat sensitive! The team will obviously use local anaesthetic to address this to make you as comfortable and pain free as possible. Personally -as you read on you will see why – I’ll take this with a grain of salt!
Your scalp is cut high on your forehead and a flap is gently pulled back. Targeting equipment is locked on and drilling begins. The neurosurgeon needs to make a hole 15mm wide to guide the leads into your brain and this will all be patched up at the end to hold the permanent wires in place!
It’s time to switch the lights off in the theatre – to increase the level of difficulty ? – and to decrease any interference from fluorescent lighting. Your neurologist will guide you through tasks and movements that you will have practiced and engage in conversation to ensure that the electrodes can be guided into the right location – and to test for voice changes etc. Once all of the team are satisfied that the hardware is best positioned, the electrode and lead are locked in place. Half of the brain surgery is now complete and it is time to do it all again for the other side of the brain.
Once you have gone through the testing component for the second time and both leads are in place, it is safe to assume the lights can come back on in the theatre and your own lights can be switched off! Because it should be time to nudge you into the land of nod, for the placement of your neurotransmitter.
Each lead is tunnelled under the scalp, behind the ear, down the neck, into the chest beneath the collar bone…
The surgeon will then make a small pocket under the collarbone in your chest, attach the leads to the IPG and drop it in. You can opt for a rechargeable device which is less bulky and should last for up to 14 years. The non-rechargeable batteries will likely last between 3-6 years. A few staples or stitches and you are all set.
This is the programmer, That you’ll be taught how to use – if you have the rechargeable, it should keep you updated on charge level, but the main use of this device is to switch your electrodes on or off. Depending on your individual case, you may be able to switch between programs or adjust the current mildly up or down.
Following the surgery your neurologist will will visit you regularly to adjust your programming and meds. When all is said and done – although there are no guarantees with this procedure – you may be able to reduce your meds by as much as half.
youll stay in hospital 7-10 days expect to be exhausted and probably confused. Obviously you’ll have a fair wack of a headache.
After discharge expect lots of extra visits to the neurologist…you want to get some quality fine tuning.
Importantly, keep a watchful eye on your mental health. This procedure comes with risk, take care of yourself and surround yourself with a supportive team of friends and family.
Comments
Todd, I’m really sorry to hear of the challenges you have been facing! Jacob & I sure do miss the St John community, but I am so grateful that you have decided to share your journey with everyone so you can be supported & we can keep up to date with how you are travelling. One of the best things about the St John Community, feeling like an extended family member. My Poppa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in his later years of life but I never really got to sit down with him for him to explain it like you have. All the very best for your treatment in May, I do look forward to seeing & hearing all about your progress. Take care & god bless!