Its been a long summer...

Hi folks.

Sorry I haven't posted more but the last few weeks and months have not been without their challenges, I should have been posting more often but like allot of things, it has simply slipped my mind.

Anyways, here is an update on how things have gone.

I went back to the NueroModular Clinic in Regina in early August to have the implants brought to full power, or at least what would be full power for me for awhile and the visit bordered on a complete disaster. When the implants were powered up, I immediately noticed that I had allot of difficulty speaking and the power going to my right leg was causing it to twist and contort to almost unbearable levels. I went home that night really wondering how this was going to work out and if I could or wanted to live this way.

I went back the next day and had the power turned down on my left side which improved my voice somewhat. Resigning myself to the new reality that was my life..I left Regina. The biggest positive thing that came out of that visit the Doctor gave me the ability to adjust the power a little on both sides.

Since then, I have literally daily struggles with my speech and for someone who likes to talk, I think you can appreciate the frustration.

My sister Yvonne told me that with everything good there comes some challenges. Truer words have seldom been spoken.

I am back on hockey business this weekend as I go to Halifax for an Officiating meeting so we will see how things go. Stay tunes and I promise you I will talk to you all soon.

Power-up Day

I am not sure where to begin. When I got to the hospital in Regina today, the person I was suppose to see to power up my implants was not there. Holidays. Her assistant was very competent and capable but didn't feel comfortable turning up the power as much as it probably should have been. There was also still some swelling around two of the contact points in the implant that controls the right side of my body so they could not be activated at this time.

Let me explain the technical stuff.

When I had my surgery on the 18th , they put two nuero implants in my brain and wired them to a power pack which they placed under the skin on my shoulder. Each implant has four receptors so that means there is eight different points in my brain where they can make contact. Each receptor or contact point can be independently programmed to a different voltage and a different sequence.

Each contact point has the ability to stimulate different parts of the body such as tremors, balance, speech, muscle rigidity and coordination. As well, different contact points can affect things like tremors more efficiently than other points so the trick is to find which contact is the most efficient (least power draw means longer battery life) to do the job the best. Throw into the mix that I can't completely eliminate medication and it becomes a delicate balancing act between meds, contact points and the fact that this has to last for a long time because there is no other option right now in the medical world. Something better may come along in the years to come but right now this is as good as it gets. As much as I want to dial my body back a few years, I have to make sure I have options 1, 2, 5 and 10 years down the road.

Getting back to the implants, I said before there were two contact points on the right side of my body that couldn't be activated right now because of swelling and there was one, again on the right side that will not be activated. That left them only one contact point on the right side to work with and my right side is my worst, so it will be take a few more visits to get my right side tuned. I think you can appreciate the challenges.

My left side feels fantastic. If they can get my right side equal to my left side, there will be one huge party at my house and it will last for years. You are all invited.

Take care and if you have any questions, please ask.

PS They did give me a remote control. It can only turn me on and off right now but it has the ability to increase or decrease the voltage to the implants we ever get to that point.