TIM'S FIGHT FOR LIFE

Hello everyone This is the hardest thing I have ever had to watch, that is watching my husband die. My husband Tim was diagnosed with Parkinsonism back in 2014 and he has been fighting his war with great effort. Most people know somebody who has had Parkinson's. And they live a long time..Not many of us including myself knew what Parkinsonian was. First it is a thief in the night. At first it is a slow thief, you don't really see it. It could be a twitch in a finger like Michael J Fox , or as in Tim's case a urinary/prostate infection. I've mentioned both Parkinson's and Parkinsonian. What is the difference? Here is the medical terms for each. Parkinson's disease is the most common neurodegenerative cause of Parkinsonian, which can be thought of as secondary parkinson. Other diseases that can compound a person with Parkinson's or Parkinsonian would include: multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration.  These 3 do not respond as well to dopaminergic treatments and generally have a worse prognosis compared to typical Parkinson's disease. The prognosis for most patients with MSA are not good. The average time from initial symptom progress to combine dyskinesia (pyramidal system, extrapyramidal system and cerebellar sports disorder) and autonomic nerves system function disorder is 2 years. The average interval from the onset of disease to assistant walk, wheel chair, bed-ridden and complete body failure is 3 years, 5 years, 8 years to 9 years. Tim is on his third year and there is no cure. But don't tell that to Tim Keenan. He will tell you that he will be the cure. He will tell you that it will cost more than we make or that the government will allow. I am his caregiver and work 32 to 40 hours per week. Now no pity here, we love each very much. Tim firmly says, "Keenan's do not quit." Tim is now on his third round of speech therapy, fourth attempt at physical therapy for LSTV Big. The first time his body could not stand the stress of the program, The second time he developed aspiration pneumonia and when he was to restart the third time, Tim broke his hip. Maybe the fourth will be the charm. Tim falls at least two times a day, even when he uses his canes or walkers. Sometimes we both wonder how he even gets back up. So what does the future hold for Tim and our family? Well after over 250 visits to the MUSC campus and hopital over the last year alone,..it means more visits to specialist in and out of the country. We are now looking at brain stem cell treatments for Tim. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to be done in the USA. Do not even start the discussion. Today China has given it neurology department over 20 billion dollars to it's medical system and they are having great results. We have already have a cheap way to get to China, not by ricshaw, via my retirement perk since I am a former employer US Airways, American Airlines and there partners. We have a network of friends in China who can help us with housing before and after the treatments. We will have to be there for 5 to 6 weeks while Tim gets his treatment. If this doesn't work there are 2 medical groups in San Diego. The whole time that we are preparing for this the bills will keep coming.  We still are working to save for the procedures in itself.  This is where you all can come together to help us. We need all of you that know and love us to make a donation. Any amount will do, but most importantly,  TO PAY IT FORWARD.  It means to tell your nieghbors to pay it forward. If you would all tell his or her church and have each member contribute even a dollar, this fund would multiply or triple in a short amount of time. That way, if everyone just pay it forward with a 10 dollar gift, or even down to one dollar, before you know it you will all have given Tim 5 additional years, or more, to be with his family and keep working for this cure. It would mean that Tim could see his youngest daughter, McLeod, graduate college and walk her down the isle. Tim could see his granddaughters grow up and be there for them all. It gives us more time with his mother and with my family. Tim loves his entire family very much.  Tim and I will get some of the time back that the disease has taken from us. Tim will remind you that, "God ain't done with me yet, I'm a work in progress." So please give what you can and help pay it forward. God will love for just praying for us. I will close with what Michael, Tim's brother used to say, "Don't stop with the prayers...... you never can have enough prayers. May, God, bless you all and we pray for each of you everyday.  Tim after another long day at MUSC.