Post by: Fierofool on July 03, 2017, 08:55:41 am
Few of you knew that when Don was preparing to move back to Germany, he was developing Parkinson's Disease. He was definitely diagnosed either just before or just after the move. Apparently it has progressed somewhat rapidly.
This information from Tim. Prayers and thoughts for he, Anne and Shanine, if you're so inclinded.
Don is scheduled for surgery to implant a deep brain stimulus (DBS) device on August 8, followed by a "brain pacemaker" to power it on August 9.
A DBS device helps stimulate the areas of the brain that help synchronize nerve impulses and muscle coordination.
He will be in the hospital for about a week after the procedure, and then about another week of bed rest at home.
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 03, 2017, 11:02:51 pm
Post by: Donster on July 12, 2017, 02:11:11 am
The closer the dates gets, the more nervous I am getting, but all will be good.
Cheers,
\D
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 12, 2017, 07:36:36 am
Post by: Roger on July 12, 2017, 04:42:45 pm
You've owned a Fiero and survived the Dragon.
You'll come through this with flying colors too!
All our very best,
Roger and Brenda
Post by: Donster on July 14, 2017, 05:47:50 am
You all are awesome, and I can't deny that I miss the lot of you! :D
Cheers,
\D
Post by: Raydar on July 14, 2017, 02:31:11 pm
Post by: GTRS Fiero on July 14, 2017, 06:18:00 pm
Post by: Donster on July 17, 2017, 08:52:02 am
Cheers,
\D
Post by: oldone on July 17, 2017, 06:56:54 pm
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 08, 2017, 07:11:36 am
They're probably 8 hours or so ahead of me, so it's probably under way. Prep should've been first thing in the morning.
When the doctors open me up during surgery, I always hope they have no ”oops”, and ”Hmmm. Never seen that before.” I sortof dread the post-op review--especially when they want me to sign waiver paperwork.
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 08, 2017, 06:19:25 pm
Was that Donster?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 09, 2017, 07:24:27 pm
Today was supposed to be the day Donster gets the device to stimulate his, um anhedonia?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 11, 2017, 07:57:24 am
Post by: Fierofool on August 13, 2017, 05:20:05 pm
Post by: Roger on August 13, 2017, 05:31:03 pm
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 13, 2017, 11:03:58 pm
Post by: Donster on August 21, 2017, 03:41:43 am
Quality of life is returning.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all here for your well-wishes.
Now I'm just waiting for my hair to grow back! :D
Cheers,
\D
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 21, 2017, 05:58:09 am
As for the hair, just count it as a blessing not to have to care for it.
Post by: Fierofool on August 21, 2017, 09:12:14 pm
Post by: GTRS Fiero on August 21, 2017, 09:18:57 pm
Post by: HarryT on August 23, 2017, 02:07:45 am
Don;
We are so glad to hear that you are home and the tremors have slowed down. It should be all uphill for you now. Karin will give Anne a call in a few days from somewhere on the road. We are heading for the Dakotas and up into Canada (Saskatchewan and Manitoba), then down to Ontario to visit our families and old friends for about a month. We have not made any long trips in the coach for almost a year so we are very excited about driving across the country to see the sites and just relax. We are planning a trip to Germany next year and hope to get to meet with you two somewhere to catch up.
Miss you guys;
Harry and Karin
Post by: Donster on October 04, 2017, 01:45:03 am
Hope you two have fun on your trip!
And to all: - I'm doing good, back to work again.............and my hair is slowly but surely growing back! :-)
Still need some fine-tuning, and BTW: This entire thing (stimulator and such) is controlled by an APP on an iPod, which I have to carry with me at all times for the rest of my life.
My neurologist can even log into it via VPN to make adjustments, if I have no way of getting to the hospital. Cool, eh?
Guess I am truly a cyborg now! LOL
I have pics that I'll send to Fierofool via email, as I can't remember how to upload them here.
Greetings from across the pond,
\D
Post by: Raydar on October 04, 2017, 05:50:11 am
Post by: GTRS Fiero on October 04, 2017, 05:58:11 am
Post by: GTRS Fiero on October 04, 2017, 06:18:55 am
What time is it, there? When you log on, is most of the board lit up in blue?
Post by: Donster on October 04, 2017, 06:21:11 am
Most of you are still asleep when I post. :-)
Post by: Fierofool on October 04, 2017, 09:08:54 am
Post by: TopNotch on October 04, 2017, 12:33:52 pm
Post by: GTRS Fiero on October 04, 2017, 05:45:17 pm
Post by: Donster on October 05, 2017, 12:56:04 am
BTW, Fierofool said something funny: "Looks like the Doc used to sew up baseballs for the major leagues."
Thanks for uploading!
\D
Post by: oldone on October 06, 2017, 12:44:24 pm
Post by: Donster on October 16, 2017, 02:59:46 am
As I am now considered disabled in Germany, it comes with benefits
- 5 extra days of paid vacation, which puts me at 35 days per year instead of 30.
- it is virtually impossible to terminate my employment, as I am protected by German law (I'd have to do something really grave, i.e. theft or physical abuse (hit my boss)). Also can not lower my salary or take away my company car
- tax benefits
- insurance benefits / lower premiums
- lower automobile tax (yes, in Germany there is an annual tax on the car you drive)
- virtually free public transportation
- retirement at an earlier age (normally 63 in Germany)
And to answer the question before somebody asks - NO, I DID NOT DO THIS just to get all these benefits! LOL
I didn't find out all of this until I was told after my surgery.
\D
Post by: GTRS Fiero on October 16, 2017, 07:49:08 am
Post by: Fierofool on October 16, 2017, 08:45:12 am
Post by: GTRS Fiero on October 16, 2017, 08:48:56 am
Post by: Donster on October 16, 2017, 09:01:02 am
Post by: Donster on January 09, 2018, 04:47:56 am
Happy New Year to all!
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 09, 2018, 07:57:52 am
Post by: Donster on July 05, 2018, 07:05:55 am
Sorry I have not been here in a while. Unfortunately, I came here today because of the sad news that reached us about Granny Linda.
More updates to follow in the next few days.
\D