After experiencing head injuries and at least three concussions from motorcycle racing, my doctor was not surprised that I developed Parkinson's disease. He explained that head injuries can increase the risk of developing the disease. That didn't make it any easier to adjust to living with tremors and cramping, or having to give up motorcycling.
Riding is in my blood. Growing up, my younger brother and I would go to races every weekend. We started a team and began participating in endurance races that would last 24 hours. I was the 1975 New York Motocross champion and the 1985 National Road Racing motorcycle champion and picked up the nickname "Airborne Horn."
Subtle Symptoms
Eventually, I got a job as a mechanic and heavy equipment operator. I remained healthy through my forties and retired at age 55, just as I started noticing some unusual symptoms like cramping and stiffness in my hands. Soon after, my wife, Mitzi, and I moved from Chicago to Fort Myers Beach, FL. We wanted to live in a warmer climate, and I wanted to ride year-round, but my symptoms continued to get worse. Besides tremors, I experienced memory loss and muscle spasms.
During our second winter in Florida, the tremors got worse in my right hand. I couldn't hold a cup of coffee. I saw my primary care doctor, who ordered tests, but he didn't find anything wrong. I continued to ride my bike. My balance was okay, but my right hand would cramp so badly that it was hard for me to grip the handlebar.
A Diagnosis Explains All
In 2013, my doctor referred me to a neurologist, who recommended an MRI test that ruled out stroke or a brain tumor. Through follow-up examinations, he diagnosed me with Parkinson's disease. I couldn't believe it! My family has no history of Parkinson's. But we were relieved to know what we were dealing with. My father-in-law and my wife's uncle lived with the disease for years, so we knew a lot about it.
My neurologist prescribed carbidopa-levodopa, but it caused such bad nausea and dry heaves that I had to stop. I tried other drugs in different combinations and strengths, but the symptoms continued to get worse in my right hand. I lost muscle control and dexterity. Sadly, I had to give up motorcycling because it was too unsafe. My neurologist then suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure that delivers electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain to treat the abnormal nerve signals caused by the disease.
Contemplating Surgery
Mitzi and I talked about it and did some research. I felt like I had nothing to lose. My three grown kids were supportive and decided to be there for my surgery on February 10, 2016. The procedure was painless. When the neurosurgeon turned on the stimulator, you could literally see the tremors disappear from my right hand. Within a few days, my right hand felt like it was 100 percent.
Back on the Bike
The best news about the surgery was that I was able to start riding my motorcycle again soon afterwards. It was an amazing feeling to be back on the road again. A few months later I decided to take a part-time job at the local golf course, helping to mow the greens and fairways.
With my right hand back to normal, the tremors and cramping on my left side became more noticeable. My neurosurgeon recommended a second DBS surgery to control the left side. This surgery was done on July 11, 2016. My doctor warned me that this surgery might affect my speech and my sense of taste. She was right about my speech. I slurred my words at first and talked softer. With speech therapy and practice, my speech is nearly back to where it was—I just don't talk as fast as I used to, which is probably a good thing.
My Old Self
Now that I'm feeling so well, I'm ready to try new things like boating and fishing. I can't believe I can ride my motorcycle again. I used to say I was a Parkinson's sufferer. Now I say I'm a Parkinson's survivor.
—As told to Paul Wynn
