Miracles happen

Clare Auble was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in December 2000, when tremors on the left side of her body became a problem. She was sleeping only about three to four hours a night, and lacked the energy to do much more than work. Normally a social person, Clare now found herself unable to travel or visit with friends and family.

Towards the end of 2005, Clare’s symptoms worsened, now affecting her ability to work. She was taking 5 ½ pills a day, but the tremor did not stop.

“I was seriously looking at working part-time, or quitting all together because it was getting to be unbearable,” Clare says.

Clare found another solution through Struthers Parkinson’s Center. After a careful presurgical screening, she had DBS surgery in May 2006.

To Clare, the results have been nothing short of a miracle. She is symptom free and working full time. She is able to travel, visit friends, walk her dog every day and plays golf regularly. She is down to 2 ½ pills a day, and averages six to seven hours of sleep each night.

“I haven’t felt this good in 10 years,” Clare reports. “You can’t expect miracles, but you certainly can be thankful when they do happen.”

Clare is grateful to the neurosurgery team and Struthers Parkinson’s Center staff for all they have done.

“I don’t think there are words to properly thank them,” she says.