Getting approved for DBS surgery had me ‘feelin’ good as hell’
The Lizzo song will always remind me of that exciting day in 2019
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Songs can be a powerful trigger for memories. I can’t hear Kermit the Frog singing “Rainbow Connection” without thinking of my family and my childhood spent playing Muppets records. I hear “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel, and instantly, the image of John Cusack holding a boom box under Ione Skye’s bedroom in “Say Anything” pops into my mind, and I’m transported to my angsty teen years. And the opening lines of Blues Traveler’s plaintive song “Just Wait” take me back to a time in my 20s when things seemed impossible but held the promise of getting better.
I was recently reminded of an amazing turning point in my life with Parkinson’s disease by another song. When Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” came up on an old playlist, I was immediately back in the moment in 2019 when I found out I’d be getting deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. In the song, Lizzo repeats the question, “Baby, how you feelin’?” And the chorus replies, “Feelin’ good as hell!” I found myself in a hospital parking garage, yelling those words along with the chorus, knowing exactly how they felt.
The long road to approval
The journey to DBS approval is long. For me, it lasted about six months. I had to go through several rounds of tests: a brain MRI to look for any physical issues that might be present. A cognitive assessment that involved several hours of puzzle-like tests and memory exercises to ensure I wasn’t in severe cognitive decline. The dreaded on-off test, where you don’t take your Parkinson’s meds for 12-plus hours, and then your doctor observes you to see how strong and quick your response is to medication. And last but not least, a psychological evaluation to make sure I was mentally prepared.
Once all that was done, I was referred to one of the top brain surgeons in the country for DBS implantation, who, fortunately, worked just 45 minutes from where I live.
Interestingly, the implantation of a DBS device and the initial and ongoing programming are performed by different doctors. A neurosurgeon does the actual “carpentry” part of the process, as I’ve come to think of it. They drill the holes in your skull, run the wires, and cut open the muscle for the battery packs. Your neurologist, usually a movement disorder specialist, turns the device on and works with you to optimize your settings over time.
So there I was on a beautiful June day in 2019, driving to the hospital to meet the person I hoped would drill into my brain, insert wires, and run them under my scalp to connect to batteries in my chest. By this point, I had been through so much preparation and surmounted so many hurdles that I was no longer scared of the surgery. I was more scared of not getting it.
I waited nervously for the surgeon’s arrival. He walked in, very in command of the situation and sure of himself — good qualities for someone who’s going to poke you in the brain! He told me he’d read all of my test results and asked me a few more questions. Then, after a few minutes, he said, “Are we ready to do this?” I said yes, and within 20 minutes, I was back in my car, with a surgery date set for October.
Before I could even call my husband or parents, the Lizzo song came on in my car. I just sat there for several minutes, smiling from ear to ear, crying with relief, and yelling the lyrics at the top of my lungs. I’m kind of surprised no one from security came to check on me!
That song will always remind me of the day I found out my life was changing. DBS has had such a huge, positive impact on my life; every step along the way has been totally worth it. It was a good day — good as hell, actually.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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