ClubTwitch

October 16, 2009

It is so difficult to believe that it is six months ago today that Tyler received his long-awaited Deep Brain Stimulation surgery.  Like stepping into a swift current, we came home from New York to life flowing along at the usual speed.  There was no sitting on the bank of the river to reflect; we just got carried along and here we are six months later!

Programming news: Tyler has had 3 programming sessions so far.  He is now able to have the sessions done here in Missoula, which eliminates an overnight trip and several hours of driving each time.  A blessing.  Pat Kautzman, the programmer from the Medtronic company has been a steady presence in all these changes and a continual source of information and encouragement to Tyler.  We are so thankful for him.

Tyler presently has six out of the eight available sites on the electrodes activated.  He has experienced some periods of significant improvement, and some periods where the good effects seemed to diminish slightly.  Pat assures him that there are many, many programming settings still to explore.  The important thing to note is that there has been no movement backwards, but rather all the changes have been positive. The tics are reduced some in frequency and intensity and Tyler lives life on a much more normal plane.  He is not yet where he hopes to be, but is in a much better place than he was pre-surgery.

Personal news: Tyler has always hoped to return to the working world and now feels ready to attempt part-time employment.  He has been applying to businesses within walking distance from where they live, since he cannot yet get his drivers license.  We are confident that God will provide him the right job at the right time.

There isn’t a day that passes without our family thinking of the amazing events of this past year.  We find ourselves wishing there was a way to write “THANK YOU!” in the sky so everyone could see how grateful we are for all the help you gave.