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Supported by Abbott.Podcast Summary: Overview of DBS for Parkinson's DiseaseIn this episode, we discuss Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a Therapy used for over 20 years to manage Parkinson's symptoms wh…

Supported by Abbott.…

Supported by Abbott.Podcast Summary: Overview of DBS for Parkinson's DiseaseIn this episode, we discuss Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a therapy used for over 20 years to manage Parkinson's symptoms when medications aren't enough. DBS involves surgically implanting electrodes in the brain, connected to a battery pack in the chest, to improve motor symptoms and normalize brain activity.Patient Stories:Ed McQuaid, diagnosed in 2018, had DBS in 2023. He went from taking 8-10 pills daily to none, regaining independence in activities like dressing and playing golf.Margaret Burns-Kohn, diagnosed …

In this bittersweet finale of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," we reflect on the incredible journey we've shared over 124 episodes. From the very first episode to this one, we've laughed, cried, and…

In this bittersweet …

In this bittersweet finale of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," we reflect on the incredible journey we've shared over 124 episodes. From the very first episode to this one, we've laughed, cried, and learned together. Countless guests have graced our show, sharing their stories, insights, and expertise, making each episode a treasure trove of knowledge and connection.Hosts Larry and Rebecca take a moment to express gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of the podcast. Whether you've been a guest, a listener, or a supporter, your presence has made a difference. Through the h…

In the latest episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson’s," Larry Gifford shares insights into his Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) journey alongside his partner, Rebecca Gifford. Larry expresses excite…

In the latest episod…

In the latest episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson’s," Larry Gifford shares insights into his Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) journey alongside his partner, Rebecca Gifford. Larry expresses excitement about the positive impact of DBS on his symptoms, noting improvements in walking, voice, and overall confidence. He recommends Dr. Jon Stamford’s new DBS DIARY for a comprehensive view of the DBS dilemma. The episode features an interview with Brian Pepin, CEO of Rune Labs, the technological interface for Medtronic's DBS system. For those considering DBS, Larry invites questions through the…

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson’s," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's recent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. It's the culmination of their DBS series, showcasing moments be…

In this episode of "…

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson’s," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's recent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. It's the culmination of their DBS series, showcasing moments before and after the procedure. (Episode six of our 2023 DBS series)Larry shares his experiences, from the anticipation of the surgery to post-surgery reflections. He describes the fears he had about the head frame and the surgical process itself, emphasizing the involvement of Nurse Nancy and Dr. Honey. The detailed account covers the electrode installation, the testing of potential targets for rel…

Season 6, Episode 6SHOW NOTES                                                                                      …

Season 6, Episode 6S…

Season 6, Episode 6SHOW NOTES                                                                                                           Oct 17, 2023TITLE:  DBS Pre-Op Talks: Love and Transition  Podcast Notes:In the latest episode of the When Life Gives You Parkinson's podcast, hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford discuss the upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. The surgery is scheduled for October 24th, 2023, at UBC Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Larry and Rebecca …

In this episode, Larry and his partner, Rebecca, discuss what to expect right before, during, and after DBS surgery. The surgery is scheduled for October 24th, 2023, and this episode was recorded abou…

In this episode, Lar…

In this episode, Larry and his partner, Rebecca, discuss what to expect right before, during, and after DBS surgery. The surgery is scheduled for October 24th, 2023, and this episode was recorded about two weeks before the surgery.The episode covers the pre-surgery preparations, including the need to stop medication before the surgery, and an informative description of the MRI process. Nurse Nancy, who works at British Columbia's DBS clinic, provides insights into the surgery day, which involves anchoring a frame to the patient's head, drilling small holes in the skull, and testing electrode p…

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry Gifford and Rebecca Gifford delve into the world of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), continuing their 2023 series on this treatment option. Whi…

In this episode of "…

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry Gifford and Rebecca Gifford delve into the world of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), continuing their 2023 series on this treatment option. While sharing their optimism about Larry's upcoming DBS surgery, they also address the importance of discussing the risks associated with it. They present real stories from individuals who've undergone DBS, shedding light on the complexities and varied experiences associated with this treatment. Kim Cornelis shares her personal journey, highlighting both the potential benefits and challenges of DBS. …

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. They introduce Dr. Chris Honey, the neurosurgeon who will perfo…

In this episode of "…

In this episode of "When Life Gives You Parkinson's," Larry and Rebecca dive into Larry's upcoming Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. They introduce Dr. Chris Honey, the neurosurgeon who will perform the procedure the brain surgeon. Dr. Honey breaks down what to expect and the possible risks of DBS, stressing the importance of picking the right surgeon and keeping a positive mindset. After the surgery, the plan is to use the DBS device to replicate Larry's best moments on medication, with the hope of eventually cutting down or even ditching the meds. The episode also brings in Tim Hague Sr.…

Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are preparing for Larry's DBS surgery scheduled for October 24, 2023. During the evaluation for DBS surgery. Larry needed to completely go off meds for at least 12 hour…

Hosts Larry and Rebe…

Hosts Larry and Rebecca Gifford are preparing for Larry's DBS surgery scheduled for October 24, 2023. During the evaluation for DBS surgery. Larry needed to completely go off meds for at least 12 hours. The medical team tests motor symptoms while OFF levodopa and then after taking a dosage and waiting forty minutes repeat the tests. Evaluators were looking for a 40% or more difference in my motor symptoms from OFF to ON. It was truly revelatory to see just how much levodopa, the medication commonly used for Parkinson's, impacts daily life. MAIL Larry and Rebecca: ParkinsonsPod@curiouscast.caL…

Donate to the World Parkinson Coalition to support this and future World Parkinson Congresses. World Parkinson Congress 2023 (WPC2023) was a true testament to unity and shared vision. It saw the parti…

Donate to the World …

Donate to the World Parkinson Coalition to support this and future World Parkinson Congresses. World Parkinson Congress 2023 (WPC2023) was a true testament to unity and shared vision. It saw the participation of more than 2,600 people, drawn from 73 countries, all converging under one roof with one common objective: unraveling the mysteries of Parkinson's. This assembly comprised nearly a thousand medical doctors and researchers, 450 registered nurses, therapists, and other clinicians, 685 brave individuals living with Parkinson's, and 260 dedicated care partners and family members.In this epi…

Larry & Rebecca Gifford dive into the growing interest and research being conducted around red light and infrared light laser therapy for Parkinson’s disease. In Hamilton, Ontario PD Avenger and…

Larry & Rebecca …

Larry & Rebecca Gifford dive into the growing interest and research being conducted around red light and infrared light laser therapy for Parkinson’s disease. In Hamilton, Ontario PD Avenger and care partner Lorna Dueck, a retired radio and TV host, visits Gaitway Physical Therapy. She interviews physiotherapist Orla Hares and research assistant Jenna Sykes. Intrigued, Larry tracks down the CEO of Symbyx Biome, Dr. Wayne Markman of Australia, to discuss the handheld laser being used on the gut and vagus nerve and the infrared helmet – both designed to reactivate the mitochondria inside…

The banner headline on the homepage of the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s website reads “Breaking News: Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Found.” It sounds exciting, but what does it really mean? De…

The banner headline …

The banner headline on the homepage of the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s website reads “Breaking News: Parkinson’s Disease Biomarker Found.” It sounds exciting, but what does it really mean? Debi Brooks, CEO and cofounder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, joins Larry Gifford for a chat about what she says is the most important finding the Foundation has discovered in its history. It is already changing the way researchers recruit for some studies. It will lead to faster diagnosis, more customized and personalized treatment, faster, cheaper, more targeted pharmaceuticals, and ultimately …

Trichloroethylene (TCE). You cannot see it or smell it. It could be in the air you breath, the water you drink, and the food you eat. It is a carcinogen and is linked to clusters of Cancer and Parkins…

Trichloroethylene (T…

Trichloroethylene (TCE). You cannot see it or smell it. It could be in the air you breath, the water you drink, and the food you eat. It is a carcinogen and is linked to clusters of cancer and Parkinson’s. In Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, Dr. Ray Dorsey at the University of Rochester and eleven colleagues have published a research article asking the question “Is Trichlorethylene an invisible cause of Parkinson’s?” The authors go on to make a convincing case.Dr. Dorsey joins the podcast to explain the dangers of TCE, how it seeps into ground water, your home, schools, and office bui…

Lithium is more than a drug, it’s the third element on the Periodic Table of Elements. Symbol is LI. It’s lightest metal known to mankind. Lithium-ion batters are used in electric cars. Lithium …

Lithium is more than…

Lithium is more than a drug, it’s the third element on the Periodic Table of Elements. Symbol is LI. It’s lightest metal known to mankind. Lithium-ion batters are used in electric cars. Lithium is also present in vaping devices, many personal electronics such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops, E-Bikes, electric toothbrushes, tools, hoverboards, scooters, and for solar power backup storage. Its origins can be traced back to the Big Bang. For 70 years it’s successfully been used to treat bi-polar disease. Now there’s hope it could be game changing for Parkinson’s disease. Tom Gu…

January 17 marks the 81st anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest Parkinson’s advocates of all time, Muhammad Ali. In this episode, we learn more about the champ’s journey from his eldest …

January 17 marks the…

January 17 marks the 81st anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest Parkinson’s advocates of all time, Muhammad Ali. In this episode, we learn more about the champ’s journey from his eldest daughter Maryum “May May” Ali – the stigma her father dealt with after his diagnosis, when she first noticed changes in her dad, struggles with speaking and medication, and how he improved his quality of life. In addition to exploring Ali’s Parkinson’s Legacy, Dr. Michael S. Okun, the head of neurology for the University of Florida Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, sheds…

One of the dark symptoms of Parkinson’s is apathy. Describing apathy is a bit like describing what it feels like when a dementor in the Harry Potter books kisses a character – the ability to drain…

One of the dark symp…

One of the dark symptoms of Parkinson’s is apathy. Describing apathy is a bit like describing what it feels like when a dementor in the Harry Potter books kisses a character – the ability to drain happiness and hope from its victims. When a person with Parkinson’s spirals into a an apathetic state they lack motivation and lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. To experience apathy is like being in a bubble of indifference. You stop caring about yourself or other people in your life with a total void of emotion.In this episode we hear firsthand from Jeff and Kristin Krantz what …

When John O’Leary was a nine-year-old boy, he was burned on 100% of his body. He was in his garage playing with matches and gasoline—just like he’d had seen the older boys on his block do. A fir…

When John O’Leary …

When John O’Leary was a nine-year-old boy, he was burned on 100% of his body. He was in his garage playing with matches and gasoline—just like he’d had seen the older boys on his block do. A fire exploded, consuming the garage, sending him flying back against the wall and turning his whole world upside down. He talks with Larry & Rebecca about how he was given 1% chance to live. Now, 36-years later, John is living an inspired life. He has two national best-selling books “On Fire” and “In Awe.” he’s a podcast host, an in-demand international speaker and is someone who intimately…

Kat Hill and Nancy Peate are the authors of Being Well with a Chronic Illness: A Guide to Joy and Resilience with Your Diagnosis. In their book they offer Wisdom, language, research-supported guidance…

Kat Hill and Nancy P…

Kat Hill and Nancy Peate are the authors of Being Well with a Chronic Illness: A Guide to Joy and Resilience with Your Diagnosis. In their book they offer wisdom, language, research-supported guidance and personal stories to help people with Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions navigate their wellness journey. In this episode, Rebecca talks with the authors — who also happen to be good friends — about their own experiences with Parkinson’s and how they have cultivated tools to find joy and resilience. Larry and Rebecca also discuss and offer their reactions to the book.EMAIL Larry …