Mater Townsville: ’Life-changing’ surgery a no-brainer for Townsville Parkinson’s patient Suzanne Jones

A Parkinson’s patient — who could barely walk or hold a fork — says being one of the first North Queenslanders to undergo deep brain stimulation has “completely transformed” her life.

Occupational therapist Elisabeth Johnson, deep brain stimulation patient Suzanne Jones an Allied Health manager Gabrielle Dockray at Mater Townsville. They‘re pictured holding up the “mug rugs” Suzanne made hospital staff. Picture: Supplied

A Parkinson’s patient — who could barely walk or hold a fork — says being one of the first North Queenslanders to undergo deep brain stimulation has “completely transformed” her life.

Townsville resident Suzanne Jones, 67, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 12 years ago, but last year, it deteriorated to the point where she had trouble performing the simplest tasks.

“I was shaking all day — I could barely use a knife and fork or walk,” she said.

“I had no control over anything.”

Pushed to her brink, Mrs Jones said she sought out Dr Craig Costello at Mater Townsville, which became the first facility in North Queensland to start performing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery last February.

The procedure involves the insertion of electrodes in the brain to relieve debilitating symptoms.

 “I just couldn’t live like that anymore,” Mrs Jones said.

“I spent an hour in Craig’s office crying because I was just so tired of living like that. He suggested DBS, and I had my operation on July 1.”

Neurologist Dr Craig Costello

The Townsville retiree — the third in NQ to undergo the procedure — spent 13 weeks in rehab and has since seen incredible progress.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said.

“I’m back to my sewing and other hobbies. I can go to dance class again.

“I had to stop last year because I couldn’t stand still long enough actually to dance. I’d just wobble and fall.”

The 67-year-old recently gifted several personalised “mug rugs” she sewed for the Mater staff who helped her through her recovery as a show of thanks.

Occupational therapist Elisabeth Johnson said receiving her gift had been “almost overwhelming.”

“She’s the first patient that I’ve taken on this journey, from where she was to this amazing outcome that we’ve got here,” she said.

“It’s all just a credit to how hard she worked. We put things in place, but she did the hard yards.” Mater Private Hospital Townsville executive officer Stephanie Barwick said roughly 3000 people in North Queensland have Parkinson’s disease. Prior to the introduction of DBS at Mater, the only other option in our region was medication.

Neurologist Dr Craig Costello with another DBS patient Rob Jorgensen.

“Several advantages compared to medication include the fact the treatment is continuous and doesn’t wear off, unlike medication, and is able to deliver therapy differently to each side of the body – this is vital in Parkinson’s, which is an asymmetrical disease,” she said.

“One year on from the launch of this therapy in Townsville, it is incredible to see the progress of patients to date, and Mater looks forward to continuing to empower other members of the community to live better lives through improved health and wellbeing.” 

Originally published as Mater Townsville: ’Life-changing’ surgery a no-brainer for Townsville Parkinson’s patient Suzanne Jones