Smiling again

In 1992 Richard Holmbeck’s body started to slow down. Then he began experiencing tremor and stiffness. Four years later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“I couldn’t dance, keep rhythm or even smile,” Richard recalls. “I could walk, but couldn’t swing my arms. And rolling over in bed was very difficult.”

Richard sought relief through the 7 ½ pills he took each day. But medication didn’t eliminate symptoms completely. Richard began looking for other options.

Richard’s daughter discovered Struthers Parkinson’s Center. Richard drove 100 miles from Cumberland, Wis. for an initial appointment with a Park Nicollet neurologist. After careful evaluation, Richard was identified as a candidate for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. He jumped at the chance to improve his symptoms, and had the procedure February 2006.

The results have been remarkable. Richard was able to cut his medication to 3 ½ pills a day. He is able to take long walks with his wife, play cards – and stiffness no longer keeps him from smiling.

“The smile is a big thing with my wife,” Richard says. “Before she would always say, ‘You look like you’re in pain.’”

He praises the DBS team for their expertise and for making the experience a good one.

“I’ve been happy with the whole process,” he says. “I could have waited, but there is nothing to gain by waiting.”