My bestfriend’s grandfather, aged 76 was diagnosed of Parkinson’s disease. It started with a tremor in his right hand. Two years back, the disease bacame full-blown. He was almost immobile as if frozen in time. He just stared unblinking, mouth slightly open, with saliva drooling from the corners. His tremors became severe.
His physician prescribed a medication but it made grandpa (as what I call him too) nauseated. At times, he was vomiting. Another medication was prescribed to supplement the first one. For a while, grandpa was fine. But after six months, we noticed fluid retention in his lower limbs. Another medication was given. Still another thing resulted. He was heavily sweating and was in delirium.
I remember that there was a time when they rushed him to the hospital. The doctor told them that his (the doctor’s) only option now was to perform cryosurgery. The procedure entails selective destruction of tissues in a part of his brain. The tissue is to be destroyed by freezing it with a small cryogenic probe. The doctor assured them that all cryogenic equipment used in the hospital are of the highest quality as they are purchased from the world’s number one recognized company.
My bestfriend’s grandfather is now well and enjoying the rest of his twilight years with them. Indeed, life could actually be dependent on a matter of degree.