A modern miracle

17 days ago

last modified: 17 days ago

My 89 year old dad has had an essential tremor in his hands for almost 30 years. It’s the first thing you notice about him and people are always wondering aloud if he has Parkinson’s disease ( he doesn’t.)

Today he had a relatively simple procedure that eliminated the tremor completely in his dominant hand. It’s called focused ultrasound and it’s a non- surgical form of brain surgery. it took about 2 hours with no side effects.

The results are nothing short of miraculous. He can now write his name legibly (and he’s a lefty!). Prior to this his signature looked like an EKG readout. He can hold a cup with one hand and not spill it. He is over the moon and we are all happily dazed.

I also inherited the same essential tremor and although my tremor isnt anywhere as bad as my dad’s (was), I sm thrilled to know that a lifelong debilitating issue can be cured with relative modern ease (but, yeah, not looking forward to shaving my head—you have to.)

Heres a video about it with my father’s dr and a different patient:

https://youtu.be/G7k8hYn7cno

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jojoco
Original Author

14 days ago

last modified: 14 days ago

A funny aside—now that my dad is bald, everone keeps telling him he looks like Patrick Stewart. My dad, who is the rare NYer who relishes a celebrity sighting, is tickled pink.

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Comments (53)

DLM2000-GW
17 days ago
That procedure is amazing!
jojoco thanked DLM2000-GW
nekotish
17 days ago
Isn't that incredible! Sounds like it would be a game changer for so many people. Shaving .your head would give you a chance to play with wigs for a while!
jojoco thanked nekotish
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nini804
17 days ago
How wonderful! so happy for your dad and your whole family!!
jojoco thanked nini804
Jinx
17 days ago
Wow, jojo! Amazing! ❤️
jojoco thanked Jinx
bpath
17 days ago
Wow! I wish we’d known! My dad had essential tremor.
jojoco thanked bpath
Ida
17 days ago
How wonderful! What a life-enhancing procedure, and I'm so glad your dad was treated successfully.
jojoco thanked Ida
Kswl
17 days ago
What a joy for your father and a relief for you!
jojoco thanked Kswl
Fori
17 days ago
That's great!

Now (or next pandemic), grow out your hair so you can cut 10-12" off and have a wig made for when you need it. :)
jojoco thanked Fori
seagrass_gw Cape Cod
17 days ago
My father-in-law also had it. He always carried a straw in his shirt pocket so he could drink his coffee. He couldn't eat soup. I would make him extra-thick clam chowder and give him a big spoon, and we had Dansk dinner plates with deep rims he could push his food up against to get it into his mouth. He loved to eat but had such a hard time doing it.
jojoco thanked seagrass_gw Cape Cod
2katz4me
17 days ago
That is amazing!!
jojoco thanked 2katz4me
Allison0704
17 days ago
How wonderful! Life changing for so many. Congrats to your dad!

My husband sometimes has tremors, more often as he ages. He even had them when we married 40yrs ago. I'm going ot show him this in the morning.
jojoco thanked Allison0704
Honu3421
17 days ago
This is nothing short of amazing. I’m so happy for your father, and you! My cousin’s hands shake as did his father’s. Not sure if he’s been diagnosed with ET but I sent him the link. Thans so much for sharing this!
jojoco thanked Honu3421
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
17 days ago
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing this is amazing news. Modern medicine is something else.
jojoco thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
mtnrdredux_gw
17 days ago
That is wonderful news, so happy for him, and you.
jojoco thanked mtnrdredux_gw
LynnNM
17 days ago
What great news and what a brilliant procedure!!!!
jojoco thanked LynnNM
jill302
17 days ago
So happy for your father, this is terrific news. Incredible that there is now a treatment option.

My Dad also suffered from a tremor. His tremor was the result of meningitis, when he was 7 years old. The meningitis sent him into a coma for almost 3 weeks. Thankfully, the tremor was his only long term complication of his illness.
jojoco thanked jill302
Fun2BHere
17 days ago
What a wonderful outcome! Thank you so much for sharing the link.
jojoco thanked Fun2BHere
mojomom
17 days ago
How wonderful. Thanks for posting this.
jojoco thanked mojomom
ninasmom
17 days ago
That is truly incredible! so happy for him! I have a friend that could benefit from this- is it only in PA thus far? I would need to post a general fB link- is that ok?
jojoco thanked ninasmom
maddielee
17 days ago
Wonderful!
jojoco thanked maddielee
Arapaho-Rd
17 days ago
Fantastic news, Jo!
jojoco thanked Arapaho-Rd
orchidrain
17 days ago
How wonderful!
jojoco thanked orchidrain
aok27502
17 days ago
Thank you for posting this.i sent it to a friend whose dad has had tremors for years. Is it mainstream enough to be covered by insurance?
jojoco thanked aok27502
rubyclaire
16 days ago
So happy for your dad! And thanks for sharing that video - quite fascinating.
jojoco thanked rubyclaire
teeda
16 days ago
That is really wonderful!
jojoco thanked teeda
sas95
16 days ago
That is really great news, and a very interesting procedure, for sure.
jojoco thanked sas95
Springroz
16 days ago
I am so happy that it worked for him!!!
jojoco thanked Springroz
eld6161
16 days ago
Terrific!
jojoco thanked eld6161
petalique
16 days ago
Jo, I am so happy for your father and your family. I’ve known people with that affliction. what wonderful news.
jojoco thanked petalique
texanjana
16 days ago
Wow-that is amazing!
jojoco thanked texanjana
jojoco
Original Author
16 days ago
Nina, it is definitely mainstream. in fact, as of last year, it is now covered by medicare in all 50 states. I think most insurance companies now cover it as well. Aetna finally gave approval last year. my father’s dr is Gordon Baltuch and he is affiliated with Columbia. And you may share his story on FB ( my dad says its fine). feel free to give a shout out to his doctor.
bbstx
16 days ago
DH had and his son has a tremor. One of DH’s grandfathers had it too. My DSS is one of those who uses a straw to drink and often eats with his hands (his social life is amongst a very casual coterie). I’ve suggested the implant to him, but he was resistant. I’ll suggest this ultrasound treatment to him. It might be more palatable than an implant.

I think DH’s tremor masked his Parkinson’s until the Parkinson’s affected his gait.

Great news for your dad, jojoco!!
jojoco thanked bbstx
jojoco
Original Author
16 days ago
BbxBox, my dr suggested the implant for me when my insurance didn't cover Focused ultrasound for ET. I absolutey did not want it. Too inasive, bulky, and the battery would have to be replaced after awile.
pricklypearcactus
16 days ago
That's amazing!! How wonderful! Congratulations to your father!
jojoco thanked pricklypearcactus
lizzie_grow
16 days ago
SO happy for your Dad! Thank you for sharing this & I passed the info on to a friend with ET.
jojoco thanked lizzie_grow
l pinkmountain
16 days ago
Wow, fantastic news! Not very often that an 89 yr. old gets some kind of treatment that greatly improves their quality of life!! Bask in the blessed moment! Hugs to all involved.
jojoco thanked l pinkmountain
Bestyears
16 days ago
That's just fantastic news! What an improvement in your dad's quality of life!
jojoco thanked Bestyears
Jinx
14 days ago
last modified: 14 days ago
He does! Hunky. 😍

(I think your dad is hotter.)
jojoco thanked Jinx
SeattleMCM
14 days ago
Wow, that's amazing news!

Also, yes, he does look like Patrick Stewart. I love that actor! (Big Next Generation fan here, and I also really love his comedic roles.)
jojoco thanked SeattleMCM
blfenton
14 days ago
Jojo- as I was scrolling down your photo of your dad I did wonder what on earth you were posting a picture of Patrick Stewart for.

Such great news about the treatment for his tremor. Is this a permanent fix or will there be follow-up treatments. Regardless, it is great news.
jojoco thanked blfenton
jojoco
Original Author
14 days ago
Fenton, the procedure ablates the misbehaving brain cells— it is considered a permanent fix ( although some do experience a slight return of symptoms but its negligible.
OutsidePlaying
13 days ago
Jojo, what wonderful news about your Dad! Isn’t modern medicine great? Very happy news for your Dad. And yes, he’s a spot on ringer for Patrick Stewart.
H B
13 days ago
Truly amazing, thank you so much for sharing this experience and information, and best wishes to your Dad.
l pinkmountain
13 days ago
You look a tad like him Jo!
jojoco
Original Author
13 days ago
lpink, I'm beginning to seriously consider having the same procedure in late December. Then I willl look a lot like him!
lascatx
13 days ago
Amazing and wonderful!
Tina Marie
13 days ago
I missed this. Wow, hiw amazing is that procedure??!! So glad your dad was able to have it. You really resemble your dad!
l pinkmountain
13 days ago
I was thinking more around the eyes and a certain tinge to the smile. How wonderful that you can still enjoy his company and the procedure was a success!
lizbeth-gardener
13 days ago
Wonderful news! The advances in the medical world today are amazing.

A modern miracle

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