Diane Bauer (DBS November 2001)

October 17, 2001
It was a tough decision to make. Our sons Raymond and Johnny had both said, if this operation would make you feel better mom, go for it. We all wanted to know the risks involved, naturally. My husband John and I were fortunate to be asked to attend a meeting in NYC with Dr. Kelly, Dr. Beric and Dr.Sterios and Anne O'Sullivan and several patients who already had DBS.

After my husband spoke to some people attending, some he thought were really with other PD patients, he realized they were the patient and those he thought had no PD, really were DBS patients. Confused, right, so were we, but it opened our eyes. We were amazed at their movements and speech and coordination. All admitted to Dr. Kelly, they would do it again. And so my decision was made....I would go for it....and the family supported me.

I had been told by my Physical Therapist Michele Farrella from NYIT's NYCOM (a Parkinson Therapy Center in Old Westbury LI) that I was a good candidate for the operation , as did my neurologist Dr. Basson from Woodside. So with all this energy going my way and after seeing Dr.Kellys happy face, how could I miss. I had a close up interview with Debbie Harison and that also closed the deal, former DBS patient doing very well indeed.

November 27, 2001
I really was not clear why I had to be at NYU at the unGodly hour of 5:30am. I know now, it kept the butterflies from getting me nervous and gave me time to be calm as it was the beginning of my new life. Being fitted with the hallo and getting the MRI in preparation of the big day. I heard someone say "ok breathe deeply Mrs. Bauer" and the next I knew, "time to wake up, you're done for today" What a surprise - no discomfort, no pain...I went to Recovery room and met some wonderful nurses, smiling always, then to my room where I was waited on and cared for. I slept most of the time..

November 28, 2001
I rested all day in bed, something I was not used to, it was like a gift to me - I normaly was up at dawn and worked all day at home for our family business, even with PD, so there was no time for lying around all day in bed (except this last month , PD really beat me down) so anyway, I took advantage of the service and watched TV and slept and ate.

November 29, 2001
The big day was here, I wanted this to happen and I wanted to be normal again. Wasn't nervous. The nurse got me down to Operations and outside that room my Physical Therapist Michele and my best friend MaryAnn Ammendola were there. Michele was coming in the room with me. ( it is the most important thing, to have a friend or relative in with
you.. Dr. Kelly doesn't mind.....you dont see anything gory and hear anything...dont forget you are awake for 5 hours....) She was a Godsend..she held my hand and squeezed it 3 times, as if we had planned it, but we hadn't,
so I squeezed back 3 times...it was a comfort. Meanwhile, Dr.Kelly and his team were doing their thing. I felt nothing at this time but the shot of novicaine to deaden the scalp. I could live with that-- why , had been though 2 labors... it could have been worse...but it wasn't.

Everyone was busy and I was too. I was doing deep breathing and visualizing my favorite calm place to be...at a river in Pennsyvlania where the water moved fast and I kept picturing myself floating in the same place....(it helped ) and when my feet got cold I was able to tell Michele and she covered by feet with something and rubbed them to warmed me up....Before I knew it 4 hours went by and it was time to put me to sleep to finish the job (1 hour early)....the wiring and batteries had to be put in place...

Next thing I heard was a wonderful nurse in Recovery saying "wake up now...time to wake up...its all over" boy was I happy...Again no pain no headache no nothin, just happiness. I was very sleepy...soooo, I took advantage again, and slept. Dr. Kelly and team came to see me. He is just wonderful and his Navigators and Co-pilots are great Dr. Beric and Dr. Sterios and the Anesthesiologist . That evening my family came to visit and we were all very confident and comforted.

Two days later I went to MaryAnn and Ernie's house to recuperate. That is what best friends and their husbands do for eachother. I felt and MaryAnn felt this would be the best place for me ....away from the hustle and bustle of the family business at my house.. It is quiet here and I needed help to get out of bed, because of weakness only..( I would recommend a walker to get about for a few days and switch over to a cane later on - till you go to town to get your batteries turned on). Again I ate and slept and watched TV... a real bum... but thats a choice I didn't have...guess it was the anesthesia. I had no more tremors or involuntary movements, just couldn't get my strength back...it was too soon. I did get around the house on my own...so I could get to the kitchen -but couldn't really cook for myself, so thank God for friends, but I could at least get around the house.

Ten days later, my son Ray packed me in his car with a rented wheelchair (very good idea- dont forget my batteries weren't turned on yet so walking was rough) so it was very convenient for all of us, and we were off to get the staples removed from my head. Dr.Kelly was very happy to see me and I him. He was my miracle man... I would still be suffering if it wasn't for him and his gift of healing...thats what it is healing. The staples came out easy - no sweat.

We all hopped back in the car and drove down to Dr. Beric's office where Ray and MaryAnn watched as Nurse Patty Taverna "turn me on". It was amazing....No tremors, No freezing, No involuntary movements of any kind. I "walked" back to the car and back to Long Island for move recovery time. You couldn't get the smiles off everyones faces. I could walk with no problem, got in and out of bed with no help, could cut up an orange ( a big deal) with no effort, I could cut my food up myself, I gave my 85 year old mother back her walker. I was ready to go home after two and a half weeks of being spoiled. It has worked out great. I've been back to the city to see Patty to get my batteries adjusted because the brain get used to the adjustments and so I needed only slight adjusting...and less medicine.

January 29, 2001 I do every thing in moderation. I run my household and go into the office for half days for now till I build up my strength and must lose about 10 pounds (too much eating cake and lying around). I started driving about 2 weeks ago locally and then to Long Island . My hair is growing in already. I feel great. I started to do my stretching again, although I have no leg cramps anymore.. and even have started to go back to NYIT's NYCOM for follow up Physical Therapy and stay in shape (afterall I am going to be 60 and I need to stay fit). I cook, do laundry, but I do take a nap in the afternoon., and every morning I ride my stationary bike . ( I am slowly increasing the time every day). As time goes on a use less and less meds, up to every four hours during the day for 1 sinemet 25/100 thats it. I find if I do too much, I do get pooped out and have to stop, but I am learning how to adjust my life to the new me, and not abuse me. Don't be in a hurry....

I feel I am blessed with a second chance I never expected to get,... I was starting to get myself ready for a nursing home someday because of PD, but not anymore....I have a lot of life in me and I intend to live it thanks to Dr. Patrick J. Kelly, my friend and savior. Thank you Dr. Kelly, and God.

Bless You.