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Brad's Page

Information on Deep Brain Stimulation at bottom of this page

UPDATE, Saturday, May 12, from Trish:

This picture on the left is from our April Support Group meeting. Brad was in great spirits and doing very well physically. His beautiful family was there with him (as always), and he continues to make progress. He is looking forward to undergoing some physical therapy, and we hope to get a full update soon.

UPDATE, Wednesday, March 7, from Linda:

Brad returned to UAB on 03/06/07 to have his simulators turned up and will have this done again in April. He is working again and free from dystonia pain, no more muscle spasms or pulling sensation. Paige stated you can still tell he has CD but he is much improved. He can lift his head and hold it straight for short periods of time with no shaking or pulling. He is now able to turn his head to the left which he couldn't do previously. He and Paige spent last weekend in TN where they hiked, rode horses and go carts all day. She said they hope he will continue to improve. They will be at the meeting on 03/17/07.

UPDATE, 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, from Ricky:

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that Brad is doing much better. Hanna told me that you had asked about him. He really is doing much better and I think his DBS is really working. Just last night I was holding Emily and he was looking at us. His head was as straight as it could be. It was amazing. I mentioned it to him and told him to show everyone else. He laughed and said he wasn't even thinking about it. I told him that is the best part about it. It was really doing it on its own without him even trying. He seems to be back regulated on his medication now and that has helped his eating and sleeping. I think he is doing GREAT!

Hanna told me about Dr. Caldwell speaking in August. I think that will be amazing to hear what he has to say as he is on the cutting edge of movement disorder research. I think it is fantastic that you were able to arrange that.

I hope you are doing well and I will talk to you later. Take care.

With love, Ricky

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, from Ricky:

I just wanted to let you know that Brad's doctor called today and asked him to come to Birmingham tomorrow. They all talked yesterday and they want to turn on the stimulators tomorrow! That is great news. They said he needs to come and get his staples out and while he is there they all decided that they are ready to turn on the stimulators. They are all very excited about this. They said they would start out at a low level and work their way up. They said it may take a while for him to see results as they may not find his good level for a little while. He could also have some immediate results. Right now anything is possible. Lets all hope and pray for the best.

Brad told me today he is going to be there at the meeting on Saturday. You all mean a lot to him and he really wants to see everybody. I think it would mean the world to him.

I just wanted to send you this information, and I look forward to seeing you Saturday.

Thanks for everything, Ricky

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, from Ricky, Brad's Dad:

Well it is over! Brad is on his way home. He got to the hospital this morning at 5:30. His surgery started at 8:00 and was over at 9:25. He stayed in recovery for about an hour then in a holding room for about another hour and he is now on his way home. He is very sore but as soon as he left the hospital he wanted Paige to stop and get him some french fries, so I think he is doing great. He will go back in 3 weeks to turn on the stimulators!! That is great news and I just hope and pray that this works for him. He has been tough as nails and I couldn't be more proud of him. Please pass this on to everyone and I will let you know how things progress. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It has meant the world to Brad and all of the family.

All of our love, Ricky

UPDATE, 9:00 a.m., Sunday, February 4, from Linda:

I spoke with Paige this morning. Brad was discharged Friday evening and was glad to get home. He is on medication for pain control and to help him relax. He has been walking around but is taking it easy and sleeping a lot. His appetite is gradually returning, drinking liquids more than eating solid food. Paige stated, " he is a real trooper." He plans to watch the Super Bowl today. He returns to UAB on Wednesday for same day surgery to have batteries implanted. We will do weekly updates now.

Please continue to pray for the results he and his family desire and we all wish for him. He told us at our January meeting he has goals and things he wants to accomplish in his life and I know we want to see this become a reality for him. Our new member, Rita told me what an inspiration Brad had been to her when he spoke at the meeting.

Please continue to pray for Brad and his family. If you would like to send Brad a card or a note, please e-mail Trish for his address.

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 31:

Ricky called me at 3:00PM to tell me Brad's surgery was over. He stated Dr. Montgomery, Guthrie, Walker and Watts all came to the waiting room to talk with them. He stated they looked like the "Dream Team " to him. Dr. Guthrie and Watts said they were able to pinpoint the areas and got great placement of electrodes on both sides with strong signals. There were no complications during surgery. Brad was exhausted and the doctors said it had been a long day for him and he would probably be cranky. I think he deserves to be cranky! He is in ICU and an MRI will be done later tonight to check placement of electrodes. Ricky said they would let them go back one at a time for a brief period. Without complications he will go home tomorrow and return in a week for battery placement. Allowing six weeks for healing the battery will then be turned on. Ricky, Jane, and Paige will be staying in a hotel close to UAB tonight. What courage Brad has shown and we will continue to pray for a quick recovery with GREAT results.

Update, 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, from Linda:

Ricky just called and they have completed the first side on Brad. The posterior part was a little different, perhaps due to dystonia so it took somewhat longer than anticipated. They got a very strong signal which is a positive sign. There are 3 neurosurgeons including Dr. Montgomery from Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Watts and his nurse Stephanie. Dr. Watts has cared for Brad since he developed CD at the age of 15. Brad is doing well, getting tired but experiencing no pain. He will be monitored in ICU tonight and if things go well he will go home tomorrow and return in a week for battery placement.

Update, 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, from Linda:

Brad was taken back about 6:30 a.m. and the halo was in place, he was somewhat anxious but who wouldn't be. Surgery started at 9:06 a.m.

From Ricky, Brad's father, Tuesday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m.:

We are heading out to Birmingham tonight for Brad's surgery. We will try to keep you posted on how things go. We have to have him there at 4:30 A.M. They say the surgery will last about 6 to 8 hours. I will try to call you as soon as we know how things turned out. I will think of all of you when we see him off to surgery and while he is in there. You have given us all so much strength and I think Brad has thought a lot about all of you. He seems to be upbeat about everything. I will let you know as soon as we hear something.

Thanks for everything, Ricky

Brad had Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

Paige, Brad's wife, has offered to keep us in the loop by sending us information on Brad's progress.

Please keep Brad and his lovely family in your prayers. Brad's determination inspires us all.

More information on DBS:

One Mother's Walking Miracle - article regarding one child's success with Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for Movement Disorders- Information from the Cleveland Clinic
Deep Brain Stimulation - Frequently Asked Questions - from Stanford Hospital - *contains information about DBS and Dystonia
Deep Brain Stimulation surgery - from WebMD
Deep Brain Stimulation - from FirstScience

Dystonia Support Group - Alabama Contact Support@Dystonia-Alabama.org

Home What is Dystonia? Newsletters Upcoming Events Join Us Brad's Page Health Care Referrals News Articles and Publications Links Contact Us		Brad's Page Information on Deep Brain Stimulation at bottom of this page UPDATE, Saturday, May 12, from Trish: This picture on the left is from our April Support Group meeting. Brad was in great spirits and doing very well physically. His beautiful family was there with him (as always), and he continues to make progress. He is looking forward to undergoing some physical therapy, and we hope to get a full update soon. UPDATE, Wednesday, March 7, from Linda: Brad returned to UAB on 03/06/07 to have his simulators turned up and will have this done again in April. He is working again and free from dystonia pain, no more muscle spasms or pulling sensation. Paige stated you can still tell he has CD but he is much improved. He can lift his head and hold it straight for short periods of time with no shaking or pulling. He is now able to turn his head to the left which he couldn't do previously. He and Paige spent last weekend in TN where they hiked, rode horses and go carts all day. She said they hope he will continue to improve. They will be at the meeting on 03/17/07. UPDATE, 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, from Ricky: I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that Brad is doing much better. Hanna told me that you had asked about him. He really is doing much better and I think his DBS is really working. Just last night I was holding Emily and he was looking at us. His head was as straight as it could be. It was amazing. I mentioned it to him and told him to show everyone else. He laughed and said he wasn't even thinking about it. I told him that is the best part about it. It was really doing it on its own without him even trying. He seems to be back regulated on his medication now and that has helped his eating and sleeping. I think he is doing GREAT! Hanna told me about Dr. Caldwell speaking in August. I think that will be amazing to hear what he has to say as he is on the cutting edge of movement disorder research. I think it is fantastic that you were able to arrange that. I hope you are doing well and I will talk to you later. Take care. With love, Ricky UPDATE, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, from Ricky: I just wanted to let you know that Brad's doctor called today and asked him to come to Birmingham tomorrow. They all talked yesterday and they want to turn on the stimulators tomorrow! That is great news. They said he needs to come and get his staples out and while he is there they all decided that they are ready to turn on the stimulators. They are all very excited about this. They said they would start out at a low level and work their way up. They said it may take a while for him to see results as they may not find his good level for a little while. He could also have some immediate results. Right now anything is possible. Lets all hope and pray for the best. Brad told me today he is going to be there at the meeting on Saturday. You all mean a lot to him and he really wants to see everybody. I think it would mean the world to him. I just wanted to send you this information, and I look forward to seeing you Saturday. Thanks for everything, Ricky UPDATE, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 7, from Ricky, Brad's Dad: Well it is over! Brad is on his way home. He got to the hospital this morning at 5:30. His surgery started at 8:00 and was over at 9:25. He stayed in recovery for about an hour then in a holding room for about another hour and he is now on his way home. He is very sore but as soon as he left the hospital he wanted Paige to stop and get him some french fries, so I think he is doing great. He will go back in 3 weeks to turn on the stimulators!! That is great news and I just hope and pray that this works for him. He has been tough as nails and I couldn't be more proud of him. Please pass this on to everyone and I will let you know how things progress. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It has meant the world to Brad and all of the family. All of our love, Ricky UPDATE, 9:00 a.m., Sunday, February 4, from Linda: I spoke with Paige this morning. Brad was discharged Friday evening and was glad to get home. He is on medication for pain control and to help him relax. He has been walking around but is taking it easy and sleeping a lot. His appetite is gradually returning, drinking liquids more than eating solid food. Paige stated, " he is a real trooper." He plans to watch the Super Bowl today. He returns to UAB on Wednesday for same day surgery to have batteries implanted. We will do weekly updates now. Please continue to pray for the results he and his family desire and we all wish for him. He told us at our January meeting he has goals and things he wants to accomplish in his life and I know we want to see this become a reality for him. Our new member, Rita told me what an inspiration Brad had been to her when he spoke at the meeting. Please continue to pray for Brad and his family. If you would like to send Brad a card or a note, please e-mail Trish for his address. UPDATE, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 31: Ricky called me at 3:00PM to tell me Brad's surgery was over. He stated Dr. Montgomery, Guthrie, Walker and Watts all came to the waiting room to talk with them. He stated they looked like the "Dream Team " to him. Dr. Guthrie and Watts said they were able to pinpoint the areas and got great placement of electrodes on both sides with strong signals. There were no complications during surgery. Brad was exhausted and the doctors said it had been a long day for him and he would probably be cranky. I think he deserves to be cranky! He is in ICU and an MRI will be done later tonight to check placement of electrodes. Ricky said they would let them go back one at a time for a brief period. Without complications he will go home tomorrow and return in a week for battery placement. Allowing six weeks for healing the battery will then be turned on. Ricky, Jane, and Paige will be staying in a hotel close to UAB tonight. What courage Brad has shown and we will continue to pray for a quick recovery with GREAT results. Update, 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, from Linda: Ricky just called and they have completed the first side on Brad. The posterior part was a little different, perhaps due to dystonia so it took somewhat longer than anticipated. They got a very strong signal which is a positive sign. There are 3 neurosurgeons including Dr. Montgomery from Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Watts and his nurse Stephanie. Dr. Watts has cared for Brad since he developed CD at the age of 15. Brad is doing well, getting tired but experiencing no pain. He will be monitored in ICU tonight and if things go well he will go home tomorrow and return in a week for battery placement. Update, 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 31, from Linda: Brad was taken back about 6:30 a.m. and the halo was in place, he was somewhat anxious but who wouldn't be. Surgery started at 9:06 a.m. From Ricky, Brad's father, Tuesday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m.: We are heading out to Birmingham tonight for Brad's surgery. We will try to keep you posted on how things go. We have to have him there at 4:30 A.M. They say the surgery will last about 6 to 8 hours. I will try to call you as soon as we know how things turned out. I will think of all of you when we see him off to surgery and while he is in there. You have given us all so much strength and I think Brad has thought a lot about all of you. He seems to be upbeat about everything. I will let you know as soon as we hear something. Thanks for everything, Ricky Brad had Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on Wednesday, January 31, 2007. Paige, Brad's wife, has offered to keep us in the loop by sending us information on Brad's progress. Please keep Brad and his lovely family in your prayers. Brad's determination inspires us all. More information on DBS: One Mother's Walking Miracle - article regarding one child's success with Deep Brain Stimulation Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for Movement Disorders- Information from the Cleveland Clinic Deep Brain Stimulation - Frequently Asked Questions - from Stanford Hospital - *contains information about DBS and Dystonia Deep Brain Stimulation surgery - from WebMD Deep Brain Stimulation - from FirstScience