Kel’s Blog

”One of the happiest moments in your life is when you find the courage to let go of what you can’t change.” – Unknown

Examples of things hard to do with Essential Tremors

1. Put toothpaste on your toothbrush
2. Eat soup
3. Use keyboard at work
4. Use the mouse at work
5. Put air in my tires
6. Cooking (especially flipping grilled sandwiches)
7. Putting on make up
8. Using my debit card in machines
9. Writing
10. Making my hand rubber stamped cards
11. Shaving
12. Drinking
13. Carrying glasses of water or cups of coffee

I was referred to the Neurology Department at Ohio State in January of 2023. My first of many appointments was not until July 12, 2023. I was originally interested in hearing about a new procedure called Focus Ultrasound for my tremors. My mom had heard about it through a friend, a customer at the store, and then one of her really good friends had the procedure done and had great success with it.

After meeting with the neurologist and getting a neuro assessment and hearing about both FUS and DBS I decided that at my age DBS is the best way to go for me. With DBS if in ten years for example your tremor gets worse the stimulator can be tweaked. With FUS it’s basically one and done.

Dr. Jordan did an assessment and watched my tremors and and also filmed them to compare with when I see the Nurse Practitioner’s filming when I see her. Upon leaving I had several apts set up to proceed with seeing if I was a candidate for DBS. You have to see the NP, have a special MRI, and also see the Neurosurgeon. After all of these apts they meet as a team to discuss your case to see if you are a candidate. Let the waiting begin.

RECIPES WITH GRANDMA JUDY

COFFEE CAKE

2 c. Dark brown sugar

2 c. Flour

1 Stick softened butter (margarine)

1 Egg

1 c. Sour milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

Nuts (if desired)

Mix sugar and margarine, add flour and nuts. Take out a cup of the mixture for topping. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle on topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

”Believe you can and you are halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

I saw my first Neurologist back when I was 30. My tremors were not too bad at the start. I feared that I was going to find out that I was going to be told I had Parkinson’s Disease. The physician kinda laughed at me and said no you are too young. I mentioned what about Michael J. Fox? He didn’t have much to say to that other than I did not have any other symptoms.

When I first went to him I was having multiple symptoms like headaches, tremors, vision problems, and falling a lot. He put me through quite a few tests and really didn’t find anything other than neuropathy which he couldn’t figure what was causing it as I didn’t have the typical issues that come with neuropathy. He tried me on both primidone back then and propanol which really didn’t help much. He just basically said it was Essential Tremors and I figured I was going to have to just live with them. I didn’t know any better.

So live with them is what I did. With a three year old at the time I just sucked it up and dealt with it and stopped the medication at the time since it wasn’t doing anything. Then about eight years or so later I decided to try a different Neurologist. She put me back on propranolol as the tremor had gotten worse, but really didn’t feel there was much more to do for me. I gave up and just dealt with my family doc as I was frustrated with specialists and the cost. It wasn’t until the end of 2022 I decided to listen to my mom. Stay tuned for the next several blogs.

RECIPES WITH GRANDMA JUDY

DIRTCAKE

1 Large pack of Oreos (crushed)

1/2 Stick of butter

1 8 oz. Cream Cheese

1 c. Powdered Sugar

3 1/2 c. Milk

2 pkg Vanilla Instant Pudding

12 oz. Container of Cool Whip

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Mix milk, pudding, cool whip, and add to the cream cheese mixture. Start with layer of crushed cookies, then pudding mixture. Continue layers