If you don't mind me asking how did your friend Kevin pass?

Kevin was on apokyn for some time until he had his DBS. While the DBS allowed him to reduce his meds dramatically (thereby ending his dyskenisia) it was does not stop the progression of the PD. In the end, he was unable to swallow without aspirating and he choose not to have a feeding tube. I think he was tired of fighting the disease and living with it's ravages. He died of Parkinson's and we made certain that was clearly stated on the death certificate. Many times, people allow the secondary cause to be listed, and we have always felt that skews the statistics.

I'm glad to hear the DBS helped and it's awesome he went through the extra effort to have PD stated on his death certificate. Here's too him for that! I'm sorry for your loss.