Personal Account of Sharyn's Direct current Brain Stimulation (DBS) Experience

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Meet Sharyn, 70 years young, residing in Cooma for the past four decades.

Back in 2008, Sharyn, a veteran childcare worker, began to suspect she had Parkinson's disease. Heredity played a role in her concerns; numerous family members, predominantly on her father's side, had either been diagnosed with or had died from the condition.

"I figured I was next in line," Sharyn explained, "It seemed like fate was nudging me towards this diagnosis."

Her initial inquiries were dismissed by a doctor, but her intuition persisted. She sought another opinion and was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson's.

A year or so after receiving her diagnosis, Sharyn decided to retire and look for new ventures. She stumbled upon a local Parkinson's Support Group forming in the Snowy Monaro Region and jumped at the opportunity.

"I attended the meeting and took the lead when the original organizer got too sick to carry on," Sharyn shared. "We had our ups and downs, but it was always a delight to be a part of something that helps others in the same boat."

As her symptoms worsened, Sharyn found herself growing frustrated with medications that didn't seem to provide the desired relief. In desperation, she tried an apomorphine pump, but it only exacerbated her symptoms and came with limitations on her freedom.

"I felt like a prisoner," Sharyn recounted. "I was tied to the pump, with little to no room for independence. Besides the loss of freedom, I was also allergic to something in the medication, causing a burning rash and stomach bruises."

Having initially vowed never to allow anyone to mess with her brain, she reconsidered her stance when faced with mounting treatment inefficacy. A call to the Parkinson's InfoLine resulted in the suggestion of a consultation with a specialist at Concord.

There, she was introduced to the concepts of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a procedure that had once seemed implausible. With time, she came to view it as a potential lifeline.

In a fortunate turn of events, Sharyn was swiftly scheduled for the DBS surgery, just weeks after her initial consultation. Her surgery was timed perfectly, as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic soon put a halt to non-urgent procedures.

"I couldn't believe my luck," Sharyn said. "I woke up after the surgery and found I could walk and talk straight away. I was elated!"

Recovery wasn't without its challenges; Sharyn struggled with balance issues, requiring conscious effort to stand and move. Yet, she persevered, and even resumed driving eventually.

With her Parkinson's support group still in full swing, Sharyn has even organized fundraising events, like the virtual Unity Walk in Cooma in 2018 and a market stall that raised $620 for the group.

Sharyn's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of DBS, a treatment that has significantly improved the lives of many individuals living with Parkinson's disease. Though its success rate varies, DBS helps alleviate motor symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and slowness of movement in the majority of patients.

For older adults like Sharyn, DBS offers a unique opportunity to regain some degree of independence and improve their quality of life. Despite the challenges and risks associated with the procedure, many find it's a worthwhile step when traditional treatments fall short.

Sharyn, with her wealth of experience in childcare, had a strong opinion on workplace-wellness and the importance of addressing medical-conditions such as chronic-diseases.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, sexual-health, and skin-care, it's crucial to prioritize regular checks and therapies-and-treatments for early detection and management of conditions.
Sharyn's own struggles with a medical-condition, Parkinson's disease, highlighted the need for education-and-self-development about various diseases, including respiratory-conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, and neurological-disorders.
Personal-finance, wealth-management, and saving became essential for Sharyn as she navigated debt-management and budgeting after retirement, given that medicare may not cover all medical expenses.
Sharyn's experience with Parkinson's and the apomorphine pump led her to question the effectiveness of some treatment approaches in relation to isolation and loss of independence.
In her quest for better health, Sharyn delved into various autoimmune-disorders and mental-health issues, recognizing the significant impact they have on people's lives.
Men's health and cardiovascular-health are often overlooked, butSharyn's story underscores the importance of regular check-ups to address these issues, especially in older adults like herself.
Surgery, such as DBS for Parkinson's, is a testament to the advancements in science and medicine, offering hope for those living with chronic-diseases.
Sharyn's involvement in the Parkinson's Support Group demonstrates the powerful impact of community support on mental-health, particularly when facing conditions like Parkinson's.
Older adults, like Sharyn, need to take special care of aging, focusing on eye-health, hearing, and skin-care as they age.
Women's health issues, such as reproductive health, breast cancer, and menopause, are crucial to address through open discussions, education, and regular check-ups.
Sharyn's organized fundraising events, like the Unity Walk and market stall, emphasize the importance of personal-growth, productivity, and career-development in finding purpose and meaning after retirement.
Parenting, especially in the context of managing medical-conditions and aging, requires mindfulness, goal-setting, learning, and skills-training.
Sharyn's DBS surgery was a life-changing event, improvements in nutritional support and rehabilitation programs can further enhance recovery and long-term well-being.
Advocacy efforts for Parkinson's and other chronic-diseases can lead to increased funding and support, impacting job-search, learning, and innovation in the field of medical-research and treatments.
The rise in chronic-diseases, such as cancer and Parkinson's, highlights the need for policy changes in finance, such as investments in healthcare infrastructure, research, and support services.
Neurological-disorders, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, are complex and require ongoing care, support, and research to better understand and manage them.
Sharyn's journey serves as a reminder that every person has unique health needs and experiences, and we should embrace a holistic approach to health-and-wellness that encompasses physical, mental, social, and financial aspects.
In the face of a diagnosis, an open dialogue about one's feelings, concerns, and expectations is vital for overall health, regardless of age.
Sharyn's courage in sharing her journey can inspire others to face their own health challenges with resilience, positivity, and determination, ultimately leading to a better quality of life.