by Jill Funke

About six years ago, Don Horn, of Larchwood, noticed a mild shaking in his hands. Over time, this shaking gradually increased into tremors that prevented him from doing many daily tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or eating. However, when he would drive, Don noticed that his tremors subsided. The shaking also went away when Don would fall into deep sleep.

To see what could be done to help control his shaking, Don and his wife, Lorna, went to their family doctor. From there, they met with a neurologist who tested Don and prescribed medication to help with the tremors. Not only did Don fail to realize much change in tremors, the side effects including dizziness and light-headedness made him so miserable that he was unable to continue the treatment.

Luckily, at some point the couple’s friend, Bill Riley, from Sioux Falls made Lorna aware of a local magazine article he had read about recent breakthroughs that had been realized in controlling physical tremors. One of Bob’s employees suffered from tremors like Don and had undergone a surgery that helped him control his physical problems. His advice to Don was that even though the operation was a little risky, and the number one concern was that patients could have a stroke on the table and die, he felt that the benefits far outweigh those risks.

Don shared this information with his physician and his neurologist. While the neurologist didn’t think that the surgery was appropriate for Don, his physician was excited about it and made the required referral so that Don could consult with Dr. William Asfora in Sioux Falls. During that initial 15 minute meeting, Dr. Asfora determined that due to his good health and the fact that he had used medications so little, Don would be a great candidate for the procedure.

There are nerves that the brain uses for movement and others that counteract movement. Suffering from what the medical community calls essential tremor, Don was told that the nerves in his brain that counteract movement are over working, which produces the jerking of his muscles. A relatively new deep brain therapy uses electrical impulses that fire against the overworking nerves, thus safely and effectively managing tremors. A device in his brain holding eight electrodes would be implanted in Don’s brain, and a neurostimulator, similar to a pacemaker, would be placed in the pectoral area. Then, Don would be able to regulate the delivery of the electrical stimulation by a hand-held magnet. When Dr. Asfora’s office contacted Don before Christmas to let him know that they had an opening for the surgery due to a patient cancellation, Don jumped at the chance. Well aware of the risks associated with the procedure, he also knew that this might be his second chance at life. Since his tremors had progressed to a level that it made Don uncomfortable in public, he went ahead and prepared for the operation.

To begin the operation, the patient is given Novocaine to deaden the feeling in the area where the screws from the metal frame will enter the skull. The doctors don’t administer powerful pain medications for patients of this surgery like they would for most others, as they need the patient’s brain to be fully functioning to complete the procedure. The initial insertion of the screws are the most painful part of the operation, and doctors told Don to hang on to the table, which he did as he felt intense pain at first. Then, after they open the skull, doctors need the patient to remain conscious so that he or she can communicate any physical differences they experience such as the sudden loss of sight. At that point, Don couldn’t feel what the doctors were doing. He was only able to notice differences he felt, such as being able to hold objects steady and draw straight lines. When the medical team was satisfied with the results of their work, the operation was over. Don says that he saw a dramatic improvement in his tremors immediately after the surgery. One hour after the operation, he was writing his name and drinking from a cup without assistance. Only in the hospital about 17 hours, Don came home and had oyster stew as his first meal.

With a recovery time of between 8 weeks and 6 months, Don remained hopeful that he would be able to return to field work that he loved so much. He also made sure that the surgeon placed the neurostimulator implant low enough in his chest so that it wouldn’t get hit from the kick of a gun if Don wants to do any hunting. Feeling like he has another chance at life, he is thankful that he can now bait his own hook when fishing, read books much easier, put in bolts and perform so many other tasks that are important to a farmer. Don’s three children joke that now they have a bionic father. Even though they are being comical, Don and Lorna still pause often to consider how advanced the practice of medicine can be. Considering the success of the operation, as well as their wonderful network of family and friends who were very supportive and encouraging, the couple is feeling an enormous amount of gratitude. For those who hear his story, Don hopes they realize the importance of taking responsibility for their own healthcare. While he has the utmost respect for those in medicine, at the same time, he reminds people that when they seek medical advice, what they receive is only one person’s opinion and it is important to get other opinions as well as do as much research they can for themselves. Looking back on the last six years of his life, he is so glad that he made the choice to stand up and ask questions and choose an alternative treatment to medication. Now, Don looks at each bright new day as a gift and plans to do the things that he always wanted to do, but couldn’t for so long.