Thank you for your good wishes - and Happy New Year to all! Walt was, indeed, scheduled for DBS activation and programming mid-December. But when he showed up for the appointment, he had zero symptoms. None. He was moving and talking and smiling like he never had PD, despite the fact that he had stopped taking PD meds about a week earlier.. The DBS Team and Dr Mehta agreed that there was no point/no way to program his DBS when he had no baseline symptoms. They called it a "honeymoon period" and/or a "meds washout period," and said that it's not unheard of - and that he should go home, not take meds until symptoms returned, and enjoy the symptom-free time. After about 1-2 weeks, symptoms began returning, so Walt was instructed to re-start his meds to control symptoms, and that he would be activated on 1/14 and 16. Since his symptoms returned at a lower level than prior tot he surgery, Walt chose to take his Carbidopa-Levodopa dosage only once in the day, rather than 5-6 times per day. So now, it's done. And it's unbelievable. Monday and Wednesday this week, the DBS Team at Mayo activated and programmed his hardware (the pacemaker-like controller and electrodes in the left and right sides of his brain). He had stopped taking Parkinson's medications, so it was exciting and magical to see his tremors disappear! We are so very grateful to the doctors who suggested and encouraged DBS, and to the medical professionals who made it happen and helped along the way. Walt's neurologist was delighted with the results, and said "This may be the best DBS result I have ever seen!" We are grateful to all who supported him with love, good wishes, prayers, and encouragement during what was, at times, difficult. And - of course - Kudos to Walt - his determination, courage, hope and strength carried him through.

Walt knows that this is not a cure - but more like a "re-set," and that eventually, symptoms will reappear and progress. But for now, knowing that the DBS can be bumped up to address emerging symptoms, and that he would be able to begin taking medications again, he plans to enjoy his life, day by day, to the fullest.

Despite the fear he felt, the pain he experienced, and the difficulties that challenged him - Walt says "Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!" (The picture is Walt and our daughter - who was at the appointments with us - in the parking lot as we left Mayo on Wednesday. Happy campers!)