Why is my Brain Little?

MONSTER GAME SHOW

APRIL 2004
We both heard the diagnosis at the same time.  Dorrie and I were seeing yet another Doctor in our quest for what we'd hoped was a simple answer to some annoying symptoms.  This time it was a Neurologist.  "I think you have Parkinson's Disease."

My reaction... "Cool, this sounds like a fun challenge..." (to myself, of course)

Dorrie's reaction?  She became immediately ill... struggling to stay conscious as waves of nausea poured over her.  "Maybe," I thought, "I won't tell her about the 'fun challenge' part right now..."

A STEP BACK TO 1976

I was a very good athlete.  Basketball was the game, and I was strong, agile, and competitive to the core.  In High School, I led the entire league in scoring.  And with this accomplishment in hand, I was able to negotiate two athletic scholarships, almost completely covering my college tuition.  And, to top it all off, I was voted "Campus Clown" in my second year... people liked me... (maybe safer to say, they were "entertained" by me!)

Somehow I caught the eye of the prettiest girl on campus, (OK, she caught my eye), and we became the best of friends.  Within a couple of years, I moved down to Portland, Oregon, learned to drop the Canadian accent, and married Dorrie (that prettiest girl on campus) in 1978.

WINDING THE ALARM AND STRETCHING THE DOLLAR 
Our first home was a cracker box, only 800 square feet, but it was warm and cozy.  Over the next 27 years, with a healthy marriage, a strong body, and God-directed opportunities, Dorrie and I adopted 5 beautiful children, making a total of 7 (or, as she likes to say, "2 home-made, and 5 special deliveries!) 

I've never once regretted the choice in having a large family, nor the sacrifices or hard work that inevitably comes with one... after all, I was strong and  invincible... and would remain so forever, right?

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY
It is difficult for me to write about my struggle with Parkinson's Disease.  It currently is a terminal neurological disease with no known cure.  It has robbed me of much of my day to day strength... and I can see that I'm losing ground fast.   


THE ROAD AHEAD...
Over the next few months we covet your support in prayer. We are at peace going to Swedish Medical Center and Dr. Peter Nora to perform Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery on April 20th, 2011. This surgery has advanced significantly in the last few years and shows a lot of promise for improvement for me. It is our hope that this reversible brain surgery will relieve many of my current debilitating symptoms from PD, and from the medicines I take for it. 


We are excited around here... but also, a little scared!  After all, this is Brain Surgery we're talking about!  

Best Regards,

Merv and Dorrie

UPDATE: The surgery was successfully performed on April 20th, 2011.

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