Yesterday, the team of doctors at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital that are leading the studies for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS) for depression had a meeting to discuss all of the potential candidates and what to do with them. It is a meeting that I have been waiting for, as they were deciding which surgery, if any, I am to have. I was hoping to be approved for FUS as that seems to be the option which provides me with the most hope of getting better combined with the fewer possibilities of complications in the future, whether or not the surgery is a success, even though the changes that it makes to the brain are permanent and irreversible.
I received an email from the research manager of the studies with the news. I have been given the green light to go ahead with the FUS treatment. The surgery is currently scheduled for November 19th, which is just a little more than three weeks away. Things are moving quickly now. I am very glad about this as it means that I have some hope that my years of suffering may soon be over. Of course, I have to be realistic. The surgery may not be successful and even if it is successful, it may take anywhere from 3 months to a full year for me to notice any change. However, it is the first step. As I said in my previous blog post, I am very scared by the whole process, but am willing to go through with it because of the benefits that it could potentially bring to me.
Between now and the surgery date I have two days of screening and baseline testing to complete. Some of this is just formalities that I have to go through as part of preparing for surgery. However, some of it is testing to see if the surgery has any adverse effect on me. While I am going into this surgery looking for an improvement in my depression and anxiety symptoms, they are doing it as part of a clinical trial to determine the safety and effectiveness of this procedure. Therefore, they want to get a baseline as to what is my current level of functioning. They will then compare this with follow-up testing at regular intervals over the next year.
On my first day of screening and baseline testing I am going to have a neurological and physical exam done by the study neurosurgeon, Dr. Nir Lipsman. I am then going to have an MRI scan of my brain, some psychiatric scales testing (to see exactly how depressed I am going into the procedure), a CT scan of my brain and some bloodwork.
On the second day of screening and baseline testing I am going to have a full neuropsychological assessment, a visit with the anesthesiologist (since I will be put to sleep for parts of the procedure) and a PET scan of my brain.
On the day of my surgery I believe that I will have to stay in the hospital overnight for observation and then to have an MRI taken the next day. I'm not looking forward to that as I haven't had to stay in the hospital since I had my tonsils out when I was three years old.
This is all real now! Absent any unforeseen complications, I will be having the surgery in a few weeks. I believe that I will be the sixth person in North America to have this surgery for depression and about the 21st person in the world. I hope that it all goes well.
I hope you have a successful surgery! I always recommend people to resort to physical therapy after a surgery, because It's so beneficial to our physical and mental health. But mostly because it helps patients on their recovery. It's sad that people don't know how impactful undergoing physical therapy is. A website that has helped me become more aware of physical therapy and its importance is Preferred Rehab , you should check it out!
ReplyDeleteWow! What anticipation you must be experiencing now - to be accepted & have a date along with all the baseline work lined up in preparation!! I cannot imagine how you feel Rob, but sense your optimism filled with hope. I feel good for you and know you're ready. I'll continue to keep you in my daily prayers abd look forward 'to having 'you' back to your old and happy self💕💖💕. Love, aunt sade xoxo
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