Welcome to my CaringBridge website. I was urged to do something like this it to keep family and friends updated in one place about my upcoming surgery for Parkinson's. I appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Please share this link with folks you think might want to know, i want not to blast this story, but will definitely appreciate all the good energy that everyone can bring to the process.
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March 5, 2019
Warm memories of 10 years ago this week writing friends and family that, in the spirit of T.S. Elliot’s notion that “old men should be explorers,” I would be leavng my home town Chicago to move to the S.F. Bay Area. Its been a lovely journey here so far, filled by love, life, challenges, studying, learning, teaching, falling down, getting up, chanting, praying, indulging, hosting, accepting, building, isolation, old, evolving and new community, too many doctors, and wonderful family and friends — and gratitude for it all.
To mark the launch of decade 2 in the Bay, I wanted to share some info about one of the next steps in life’s adventure. After 20+ years living with Parkinson’s, I am scheduled for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery beginning next week on Thursday, March 14. DBS involves implanting a pacemaker type device into the brain to send what that brain will treat as electronic dopamine, which will help minimize (tho not cure) the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement. While brain surgery sounds intense, I am blessed to have one of the best teams in the business — UCSF — in my corner medically.
I am writing in the hope that you will hold me in your thoughts/hearts through this process, which will involve 4 surgeries over perhaps a half year or so. The good news is this is truly a once in a lifetime, potentially game-changing opportunity. And with your love, prayers, good energy and well wishes, hopefully I’ll be sharing a volleyball court, Bollywood dance floor, rooftop kirtan or ecstatic dance, or some other fun experience with you soon!
For those interested in more info about DBS, my surgery schedule, when might be a good time to visit if you are so inclined, what other assistance you might provide (thankfully nothing is needed yet) etc., I’ve set up a site that contains such info, may report from time to time on developments, etc.
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marksdbs. LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU
Love,
Mark
