Health

Two years ago I was fortunate to be on the receiving end of this new treatment called Focused Ultrasound. My essential tremor began when I was a teenager. My right hand would shake and people just assumed I was nervous. It wasn't until I was in my late 50s that I was diagnosed. At that time my head would sometimes shake, both hands were shaking and it was noticeable in my voice. By age 65 my hands shook so much that activities like writing, cooking and my art hobbies were in the impossible zone. I concentrated on gardening because delicate motor skills were not involved. Even eating could be a precarious endeavor as I would knock glasses over and preferred eating with my hands over utensils. I was not able to tolerate any of the suggested medications so that was never an option.

I live in Portland Oregon and at 79 I discovered the new program at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) that was doing Focused Ultrasound for essential tremor. Within two months a team especially trained by two OHSU doctors were performing this procedure on my brain . The team of doctors and nurses were amazing in their skills and kindness. After three and a half hours in their care I left the hospital with no shaking in my right hand. I cannot go into all the details of this procedure which requires shaving the head and drilling some holes to attach the equipment which keeps the head so it will not move. One must be awake for the procedure so the doctor can find the correct small area of the brian to be zapped by the MRI. I had 3 zapps (of course that is my non-medical verbiage, but I feel it describes what transpired) and in-between I tried to draw a straight line and circles on paper so any progress could be observed. It was all quite an experience but in one morning the tremor my right side that was so frustrating for years was gone. I have the option of returning to have my left side done, but it does not feel as necessary since I now have full use of the right hand. In November I was able to vote for Kamala and actually sign my name.

OHSU is doing four of these procedures a day as there is quite a demand. The doctor told me they were working to have the procedure cleared for Medicare so they could begin working with Parkinson patients. I worry that in this political climate wonderful treatments like this will not progress or be available to so many who would benefit. I know this procedure is being done in other states and would encourage anyone whose life is impacted negatively by essential tremor to check it out.