[Stitcher]

Book Review: Carolyn's Journey

07/19/07
http://myparkinsonsinfo.com/articles...rolyns_journey

Carolyn Anderson had raised her children and was enjoying many aspects of her life, when the first sign of Parkinson's disease entered her life. Her husband Victor describes the incident in the book he authored, Carolyn's Journey: From Parkinson's Disease to A Nearly Normal Life After Deep Brain Stimulation. Parkinson's disease made a sudden entrance, but neither Victor nor Carolyn even thought it could be PD.

Carolyn got up to go the bathroom; when she got out of bed she promptly fell flat on her face in a bunch of blankets lying on her side of the bed.

As is frequently the case in Parkinson's disease, additional mishaps and experiences prompted them to seek a diagnosis. Carolyn's Journey walks you through those experiences and the Anderson's life with Parkinson's disease.

Readers living with Parkinson's disease, or close to people with Parkinson's disease, will appreciate the insight that the Anderson's share. They will gain from Carolyn's Journey as she pursues government disability benefits as well as payments from disability insurers. Perhaps the most valuable contribution of Carolyn's Journey is to people contemplating deep brain stimulation surgery. The detailed description of the two-day evaluation prior to the surgery is vivid. Her experience helps readers understand why this intense experience is necessary to qualify a patient for deep brain stimulation therapy.

Although Victor Anderson, the husband and caregiver, is the author of the book, Carolyn describes events and the emotions in her own words.

Anderson is engagingly informal. His style adds to the honesty and sincerity of the story. It's a personal book that takes time to mention and thank a number of people.

Carolyn had a quintessential outcome with deep-brain stimulation. She regained a large portion of her life and reduced the amount of medication she was taking. She returned to many of her hobbies and contributed more to her grandchildren. The final chapter in Carolyn's Journey is titled "The Piano Lessons." After deep brain stimulation surgery, Carolyn had a choice experience thanks to her restored ability.

One day in late September, our granddaughter, Cayla, out of the blue, asked if grandma Carolyn would teach her to play the piano. Carolyn was taken back but said, "Sure, I'll be happy to show you how to play the piano."

That experience strengthened the bonds between Carolyn and her granddaughter. Playing the piano again also reopened her life to her family and friends, and allowed her to serve in her church.

If you are considering deep brain stimulation surgery, or you need to spend a few hours seeing Parkinson's disease through someone else's eyes, Anderson's sketch of his wife's experience with Parkinson's disease provides helpful perspective. Carolyn doesn't want you to laugh with her or cry with her—it's not that kind of book. She wants you to understand her experience so you can understand yours.