That’s what I’ll tell the surgeon some months hence as he prepares to inject a virus into the command center of my very essence, that is, my brain. Yes, the clinical trial testing a gene therapy’s efficacy in slowing disease progression in Parkinson’s Disease is on, baby!

In my typical Only Know What You Need To style, I don’t have a ton of information as to what this possibly life-improving treatment will look like.

I’m in round two of a clinical trial. The first leg of the trial featured just 11 participants, and the results were promising enough that a second round with about 140 people with Parkinson’s Disease taking part. I’ve been told that a virus is the vector that will transport the genetic material into a specific region of my brain. But what exactly is a vector? I found the following definition: Vectors are living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans. I picture me (genetic material) sporting a cowboy hat astride a bucking bronco (the virus vector), ready to vanquish the evil masters who control the dopamine production in my brain.

But what does the actual material that holds the secret to my future look like? Toothpaste? Jello? Is it shot or squirted into my brain? What is the appropriate verb to describe its action?

Today I will have an MRI after which comes a visit with the surgeon. But before he creates an opening in my head with a tool often associated with assembling an IKEA desk, I will undergo tests and questionnaires to determine my symptom baseline. It will likely take at least three months from now before I have the surgery. Why the delay? I believe because it’s difficult to get a date for the surgery. I imagine a “hierarchy of need” that determines who takes which spot in the “urgency queue.” Let’s just say I don’t think “clinical trials” bests orthopedics.”

To learn more about the trial, click here or contact the study coordinator and world champion knitter Nisha Kabir.

Recommendations:

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

This marvel of a novella – it clocks in at a slim 69 pages – is engaging, mysterious, and wholly original. I stumbled on Ann Patchett’s weekly book recommendation site and she is absolutely correct in dubbing it a must-read. Anything I say about this book will be a giveaway, and you need to discover its surprises for yourself.

The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt

I read this years ago at the recommendation of a very smart English friend (Hi Liz). I don’t know if it made much of a splash this side of the pond but I loved this story of a single mother and her child prodigy son seeking his absent father. A gem!

These recommendations are my gift to the friends who have recommended their favorite reads to me. You know who you are. (Didn’t want to leave anyone out.)