Like many musicians, playing guitar, bass, and drums was more than just a hobby – it was life. For me, guitar was my main instrument, but music production was a close second passion. Life took an unexpected turn at 42 when I received a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2016. At the time, I was playing bass in a local metal band. While the bass lines in metal might seem forgiving in a live setting, I knew deep down that my ability to perform at a professional studio level was declining. Eventually, playing mostly shifted to home, just casual noodling and messing around. Over the next few years, even that became less frequent. In the year leading up to a major decision, my drums were literally covered with sheets, a symbol of my musical inactivity.
Then everything changed with DBS – Deep Brain Stimulation. I underwent the surgery on March 31st and consider myself still in recovery, but it’s a recovery back to life. My neurologist had mentioned DBS early on, stating emphatically, “There isn’t a pill or drug that will do what DBS does!” And he was absolutely right. Initially, with my Parkinson’s symptoms still relatively mild, brain surgery seemed like an extreme and unappealing option.
However, as Parkinson’s progressed, the inability to play my drums and the dwindling desire to even pick up my guitars was disheartening. Even my production hobby, which is primarily editing work, lost its appeal.
Now, post-DBS, I’m not only playing again but also producing music. It’s a return to myself and the passions I thought Parkinson’s might steal away. I’m eagerly awaiting medical clearance to resume running and jogging, further reclaiming my physical life.
This isn’t a sponsored endorsement; it’s a genuine expression of gratitude. I am profoundly thankful for choosing DBS. Modern science and medicine have given me back a crucial part of my identity.
For those interested in learning more, here are a few resources:
https://youtu.be/w4I8PoLM704?feature=shared
