Deb's surgery success

GRAFTON woman Debbie "Deb" Molloy could soon be beginning a new life with significantly reduced Parkinson's disease symptoms after undergoing major surgery on Thursday - a procedure which reportedly went "perfectly".

Deb has been battling the condition, which affects the central nervous system, for 15 years and in that time has run the gamut of available treatments and medications with declining results.

However on Thursday, Ms Molloy underwent a complex surgical treatment at Sydney's North Shore Private Hospital which involved a combination of brain surgery and the implant of a pacemaker-like device which can in some cases help relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by sending electrical signals to certain parts of the patient's brain.

And early signs indicate it may have worked for Deb.

"When they turned the device on Thursday afternoon she had instant relief from symptoms and that's the best sign she could've had," Deb's relieved daughter, Ashley, told the Daily Examiner yesterday.

Ashley said the treatment had the potential to drastically improve Deb's quality of life but said for now it was a waiting game while doctors trialled different voltage settings for the device and also gradually weaned Deb off her current medication program.

Ashley said her mum was already in fine spirits and was recovering remarkably well after the procedure which actually required her to be fully conscious while surgeons operated on her brain.

"She's doing really well so far - when she came out of the operation, the surgeon said it went perfectly, it couldn't have gone any better," Ashley said.

"She was even sitting up Thursday night and couldn't wipe the smile off her face."

Deb's plight struck a chord throughout the Clarence Valley community when her story came to light last year and a number of local groups and businesses and also individuals dug deep to help Deb with the cost of the operation.

A fundraising effort was initially organised by Deb's close friend, Trinette Reimer, which aimed to raise $20,000 to pay for the procedure - with the help of the community this target was easily met and surpassed. In fact, about $42,000 has now been raised and what's left over from the cost of the operation and Deb's recovery will be donated to Parkinson's disease research.

"This operation wouldn't have been possible without the help we received - that's the beautiful thing about the Clarence Valley - people are always willing to help out any way they can with things like this," Ashley said.