Day 12 - Better Late Than Never

Sorry. My bad. Mea culpa.

How rude of me to leave you hanging. My body has been telling me to do nothing, so nothing I did. And I had promised to write. Shame on me.

But I think I needed the time. This experience has been more physically draining that I thought it would be, and I'm still trying to get my hands around it mentally and emotionally. I feel more like myself this morning, so I thought I'd let you know that.

We arrived home at about 5:00 Saturday afternoon, having taken two days to make the trip. Poor Bobbi had to drive all the way. Since then, I've done NOTHING. And I refuse to feel any guilt. I've spent time with my friend Percodan (whence the name? Nothing about its effects even hint at "perk" - it does sometimes make one feel like some guy named "Dan", though.)

My tremor is greatly improved. I can already write legibly and drink with one hand. I'm excited about my return visit to Mayo April 5 to program the neurostimulator (the part that's in my chest) to optimize the effect.

I plan on hanging out at home today and tomorrow, and retuning to work on Wednesday. but before I do, a few thoughts and observations:

Sometimes, the whole escapade seems surreal and dreamlike. I keep looking around for the runny watches.

It's unfortunately corny that this took place at the beginning of Spring, for it really is a metamorphosis.

If you need something medically serious done, get a referral to The Mayo Clinic.

I value my family and friends more than I can ever hope to express.

Lars is a good man.

I'm ready for a return to normalcy.

I'll publish an update or two in the intervening time before the zapper is programmed, if you're interested. Sort of a progress report.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom

Day 9 - Anybody get the number of that truck?

"It's alive! It's alive!" - Dr. Frankenstein

*WHEW!* That was a tough day. As I write this I'm back in the hotel room, and couldn't be happier about it. I'm also heavily under the influence of Percodan, so please excuse any and all ramblings.

The surgery went really well. Dr. Lee was pleased, and even with the generic programming of the unit, there is tremendous improvement. I've already applied toothpaste to a brush without bracing both arms, and have drunk water from a glass using one hand. Marvelous! A medical miracle!

It was quite an involved process; we arrived at St. Mary's Hospital at 5:20 AM and I left the recovery room at about 6:15 PM. Long day. The most challenging aspect of the day was dealing with the "halo" - I was essentially immobilized for nearly eight hours. I'm not complaining, mind you - merely an observation.

I am, if at all possible, even more excited about the outlook than prior to the procedure. I have an appointment April 5 to set the program parameters to maximize the effect.

Currently, I am a hurtin' unit. The "pouch" in my upper chest is quite tender, as is my head and my neck and the area behind my left ear where the leads are buried. I just feel generally beat up. Small price to pay.

I've mostly been dozing since being released at about 12:40 this afternoon. Room service has been a most welcome friend. I realize that this post isn't up to my usual standards of jocularity; forgive me.

I can feel the warm waves of support you have so generously offered me, dear reader, and it is heartwarming. It is most uplifting to know that you care. I promise I'll write more tomorrow when I'm a little less logy.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom

Day 8 - We have ignition...

"Come writers and critics
Who prophesy with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin..." - Bob Dylan

OK, things are under way. The first appointment this morning was with the device programming folks. The Activa unit will be turned on and functioning before we return home, but due to changes as the brain heals, I'll have to return here to adjust the parameters about two weeks after the surgery. Other programming adjustments may have to be made in the coming few months.

Next up was a meeting with Debb Gorman, Dr. Lee's nurse. I learned what to expect tomorrow in great detail, down to a map of where all the surgical personnel would be standing. They are nothing if not thorough! I also learned that as of this morning, Dr. Lee was still in Korea. Hmm...jet lagged brain surgeon? No "OOPS!", please.

I'll have my head immobilized in a "halo" for about five hours. Guh.

The last appointment was a pre-surgical exam. I passed, so woo-hoo! Heart & lung function normal, blood pressure OK, all systems go. I'm to report to surgical admissions at St. Mary's Hospital at 5:30 AM!!! Liftoff soon afterward. I reiterate - I am VERY excited.

This place (The Mayo Clinic and its associated facilities) is amazing. Everything is operated exteremely efficiently, yet is oddly unhurried. It is NOTHING like medical care at home. The mission statement, by the original Dr. Mayo, is "The needs of the patient come first." The staff takes it very seriously.

But the staff members are wonderful. It's obvious they enjoy their work. We've had a lot of laughs, not unlike the banter I like to engage in with restaurant staff. The difference is, these are dedicated professionals who don't bring the wrong salad dressing.

We're headed for an early dinner at Macaroni Grill. I have to fast tonight, and a 4:00 AM wake up call will come awfully early. As they say, We'll be right back after these important messages.

ADDENDUM: While at dinner, our car (specifically the driver's side mirror) was clobbered by a Suburban. That's the bad news. The good news - the driver left his information in a note on the windshield - and his name is Lars. I love Minnesota.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom

Day 7 - On the Road Again

Hello again!

This isn't actually day seven. There have been intervening days when nothing of note happened, so I'm discounting them entirely. It's my blog; I can do that.

I'm very, very excited about the impending "procedure". I have a difficult time imagining how I'll feel and react if the results are what everyone (including the surgical staff) expects. How much stuff will I be able to do right away? What must I relearn? Will I reeeeaaly stop shaking??? I'm all a-twitter.

Today's drive was mostly a no-brainer. The climate is MUCH more temperate this trip - sunny and 45 degrees when we arrived in Rochester. Compare the photo below (a rest stop north of Ames) with the one from the "Day One" episode. Your assignment, should you decide to accept it, is to find the eight differences between these photos that I'm thinking of. No hints.



We learned some things last trip. Ergo, we have a nicer room at the Kahler, better parking, and NO SICKNESS! We've had the requisite steak at Michael's (highly recommended) and are in for the night.

The sign atop our hotel, in a glass darkly:


My first appointment is at 8:00 in the morning. None of this can happen soon enough.

Thanks for your continued interest. Please tell those who might share that interest that the blog is up and running again!

Day 6 - Be it ever so humble...

Home again; one trip down, one (at least) to go.

When we had arrived Friday at the palatial Days Inn of Albert Lea, the weather was indeed awful. Nowhere to go.


But we awoke on Saturday in Albert Lea to a beautiful, sunny, cold (12 degrees F) and windy (>30 mph) morning. Off we went. Traveling I-35 was ummm, challenging and adventurous from the Iowa line to Des Moines. Blindingly bright sun, ice, howling winds, blowing snow, drifts, and vehicles piloted by idiots contributed to the white-knuckled fun. We counted six tractor-trailers and 91 other vehicles stranded off the road. A dozen or so of these were NOT resting on the wheels. 40 mph was about as fast as I ever drove. That 150 mile stretch ate up about five hours.


After lunch in Des Moines, however, the drive south was normal, or nearly so. It was easy to see almost exactly where the band of snow ended. Just an inch or two had fallen from Des Moines southward, and it was gone by the time we crossed the Missouri line. After the requisite casino stop in Kansas City, we arrived home at around 11:00 pm.

In re-reading my earlier posts, I was a bit stingy with the info regarding the upcoming surgery - chalk it up to my physical condition at the time. So here's what's going to take place: Drs. Matsumoto and Lee will present my case to the committee for approval on Tuesday, March 6. The operating theater, located in St. Mary's Hospital, will then be booked for "The Tom Fahrig Show Featuring Special Guest Star Dr. Kendall Lee & Friends" on March 21 (target date) or March 28 (rain date). I'm to show up the day before for dress rehearsal, and by popular demand will be held over one night for observation.

The system to be used is called Activa® Therapy, by Medtronic®. The implantation of the electrodes in the brain is done under local anesthesia, so that I can provide real time feedback as to effects (intended and otherwise). The neurostimulator (the controller/battery pack) is implanted in my shoulder under general anesthesia. I cannot emphasize how much I'm looking forward to the results.

I'll add another post when I hear from the team at Mayo.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this chronicling of my admittedly insignificant thoughts about my big adventure, and am tickled when I receive comments and messages. Thanks ever so much, dear reader, for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I am humbled.

Tom

Day 5 - Long Day's Journey Into White

Well, we just HAD to try.

This morning (Friday), we had shaken off most of the effects of Paul Bunyan's revenge, and despite reports that stated that I-35 was still closed, headed homeward. Hopeful reporters thought that the highway through Iowa would be open by afternoon. So damn the torpedoes.

We motored along for about 75 miles to Albert Lea (2.5 hours!) before we were shooed off I-35 (below).


We waited around at a truck stop for a while (interesting character studies...) and learned that I-35 would not be opened until this evening, if at all today. Still snowing and blowing in Iowa. We made the mad dash from motel to motel, landing the presidential suite here at the 5-star Day's Inn. I think we were charged $800.00 for the room. Any old port in a storm.

We'll hang out here for the night, and try AGAIN tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

Thanks for your interest,
Tom

Days 3 & 4 - Nothing's ever simple

Well, well, well.

Wednesday began as another great day. The only appointment I had was with the team who programs the control unit/battery pack that will power my little bionic apparatus. The meeting was informative, and I evidently asked the right questions; it's possible (with the surgeon's permission) to give me at least limited programming access to the device.

So I was done with meetings by 10:00 AM. Since serious snowfall had been forecast for Wednesday evening and Thursday, we drove around town to see what we could see.

Minnesotans are sticklers for postal accuracy...

Minnesotans are a hardy people...


We came back to the hotel at about 3:00, and I sat down to write the day's blog. At that very moment, I was hit with either a virulent rapid onset stomach virus or food poisoning. I don't know which, and it really doesn't matter. Necessary actions are the same. Anyway, I haven't been able to get far from a bathroom since, and Bobbi joined me in sick bay about two hours later. Our night wasn't much fun.

This morning, I dragged myself to meet with Dr. Lee, the surgeon; a very impressive guy. We're shooting for March 21 as D-Day. He'll do both parts of my surgery on the same day to minimize my time away from home. I'm very excited!

We would have preferred to head south right after that meeting, but neither of us can currently be too far removed from "the facilities"' particularly timewise. In addition, I-35 is currently closed from Albert Lea to Ames. We'll try again tomorrow.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom