Bannockburn grandfather first to receive life-changing Parkinson’s surgery close to home

A Bannockburn grandfather’s severe Parkinson’s tremors have been dramatically reduced thanks to groundbreaking surgery now available at Epworth Geelong for the first time.

After 45 years of marriage, Mark Geddes and his wife Jill were on the verge of sleeping in separate rooms due to the unpredictable and disruptive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The 68-year-old Bannockburn man’s involuntary movements were becoming a safety issue.

“She had to duck and get over to the extreme side of the bed, so she wouldn’t cop an elbow or a kick or a punch,” he said.

“It was a big worry at the end that I might physically hurt my wife.”

02-07-2025 Mark Geddes with wife Jill has been receiving new brain stimulation treatment for Parkinson Disease. Picture: Brad Fleet

After being diagnosed in 2020, Mr Geddes’ tremors were becoming more severe.

Basic things like walking and eating were becoming a challenge.

“When you go out for a meal at the pub, you shake twice as much when you first go in … people would look at me and it was quite upsetting,” Mr Geddes said.

But the retired poultry serviceman is resting easy now, the first person to receive life-changing deep brain stimulation treatment at Epworth Geelong.

“The shakes I’ve got now are completely different to the ones that I had prior. They’re not as fierce. They’re not as prominent. I can actually sleep at night,” he said.

02-07-2025 Mark Geddes with wife Jill has been receiving new brain stimulation treatment for Parkinson Disease. Picture: Brad Fleet

“It only fixes the symptoms, not the outcome of Parkinson’s disease, but I am really happy to be getting back to some sort of normality in my life,” Mr Geddes said.

According to Parkinson’s Australia, 50 people are diagnosed each day with the disease.

Up until now, Victorian patients had to travel to capital cities for this complex procedure.

“My issue wasn’t with me going to Melbourne. It was the fact that Jill and my boys and their family couldn’t visit me and they would have to travel every day,” the grandfather of five said.

While deep brain stimulation isn’t new, the way Epworth Geelong neurosurgeon Mr Girish Nair and his team carry out the treatment is an Australian-first.

Traditional deep brain stimulation requires patients to remain awake while a bulky metal frame is attached to their head – an intimidating prospect that deters many potential candidates.

“If you Google brain stimulation, the majority of videos show frail-looking patients with huge metal frames attached to their heads, lying awake. It’s a very daunting operation to sign up for,” Mr Nair said.

Epworth neurosurgeon Mr Girish Nair demonstrating the 3D printed guide model for deep brain stimulation treatment. Picture: supplied

The Geelong team’s breakthrough uses custom-made 3D printed guides tailored to each patient, eliminating the need for the traditional frame.

This ‘frameless’ technology allows patients to remain asleep throughout the entire procedure.

Once a patient is deemed suitable, the operation involves two small incisions – each about the size of a 50-cent coin – through which ultra-thin wires are precisely placed into specific brain regions.

These wires connect to a battery-powered device implanted under the patient’s chest.

The system’s Bluetooth connectivity enables neurologists to monitor and adjust treatment remotely.

Patient Mark Geddes in a remote consultation for Parkinson's disease. Picture: supplied

In a recent telehealth post-operative appointment, Mr Geddes used his phone to demonstrate his significant tremors to his neurologist.

Within moments, his device was adjusted remotely, leaving his hands as “steady as a surgeon’s”.

Now, he’s looking forward to doing the things he loves – like getting back to fishing with his sons.

Originally published as Bannockburn grandfather first to receive life-changing Parkinson’s surgery close to home