Tim’s Story | Parkinson’s Disease Treatment | Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Summary

In this emotional narrative, a former animator and artist reflects on his battle with Parkinson's disease, diagnosed in 2008. He shares the devastating impact it had on his life and career, particularly the loss of ability to draw. Through determination and resilience, he turned to deep brain stimulation, a groundbreaking procedure that helped restore his motor functions. The artist’s journey, guided by both medical science and his own resolve, highlights the transformative power of modern treatments and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome even the most debilitating challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their career in animation, having worked in the industry for 50 years.
• 😀 In 2008, the speaker was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which was a devastating shock to their life.
• 😀 Parkinson's disease is described as one of the most complex movement disorders, causing symptoms like resting tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and worsening posture.
• 😀 The speaker initially struggled with feelings of hopelessness but found clarity and strength through their 12-step recovery program.
• 😀 The speaker learned to draw with their left hand after being diagnosed, which helped them regain their passion for art and save their career.
• 😀 Medication can temporarily help Parkinson's symptoms, but as the disease progresses, patients may require more dopamine and experience fluctuating symptoms.
• 😀 Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is introduced as a treatment option that can significantly improve symptoms by disrupting abnormal brain signals.
• 😀 The DBS procedure involves two stages: implanting the electrode and connecting it to a device in the chest, which is done with the patient awake in the operating room.
• 😀 The speaker recalls a moment during the DBS surgery when they were able to start drawing again, which was a powerful and moving experience.
• 😀 The speaker’s artwork was framed and displayed by their doctor as a reminder of the impact of the DBS procedure on their life.
• 😀 Despite still battling Parkinson's nearly 20 years later, the speaker encourages others facing the disease to never give up and keep fighting.

Q & A

What was the narrator's initial reaction to being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease?

The narrator's initial reaction was one of despair and hopelessness. He thought his career and life were over because of the disease.

How did the narrator's past experiences help him cope with the diagnosis?

The narrator drew strength from his 12-step recovery program, which had kept him sober for 24 years. This program taught him perseverance, and he applied the same mindset to fight Parkinson's disease.

What method did the narrator use to continue his art despite the challenges of Parkinson's disease?

The narrator taught himself to draw with his left hand, as his right hand was affected by the tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease. This act of drawing left-handed helped him revive his artistic career.

What are the common symptoms of Parkinson's disease as mentioned in the transcript?

Common symptoms of Parkinson's disease include a resting tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, worsening posture, and difficulty with walking.

How does Parkinson's disease affect the brain?

Parkinson's disease leads to the degeneration of the part of the brain that produces dopamine, disrupting normal communication in the brain and resulting in the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

What treatment option is mentioned as a potential solution for patients with Parkinson's disease?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is mentioned as an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease. It uses electrical impulses to correct abnormal brain communication and alleviate symptoms.

What is the role of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating Parkinson's disease?

DBS works by using electrical impulses to interfere with the abnormal brain signals caused by Parkinson's disease. This can significantly reduce symptoms such as tremors, slowness, and rigidity.

What is the process for undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery?

The DBS procedure is done in two stages: the first involves implanting electrodes in the brain, and the second involves connecting these electrodes to a device under the chest. The procedure is done while the patient is awake, and immediate results are observed.

What was the narrator’s reaction during the deep brain stimulation surgery?

During the surgery, the narrator was excited and optimistic, even joking with the medical team. He described the experience as feeling like he was going to Disneyland, not considering any other hospital besides Stanford.

How has the narrator’s condition improved after the deep brain stimulation procedure?

After the surgery, the narrator's symptoms significantly improved. He regained his ability to draw, and the tremors, slowness, and stiffness were alleviated. He described the treatment as life-changing, giving him back his creativity and freedom.

What is the significance of the title 'Shaken, Not Broken' in the context of the narrator's story?

'Shaken, Not Broken' reflects the narrator’s resilience in the face of Parkinson’s disease. Although his body was physically affected by the disease, he remained mentally and emotionally strong, continuing to fight and overcome the challenges it presented.