Rebecca King-Crews Shares Journey with Parkinson's and New Treatment on TODAY Show
Rebecca King-Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, shared on the TODAY show that she has Parkinson’s disease and recently underwent a newly-approved procedure to manage her symptoms. She first noticed symptoms in 2012, leading to a diagnosis in 2015. Initially, her symptoms included numbness in her left foot and a limp, which progressed to a tremor in her hand. Despite the challenges, she remained resilient and continued working on various projects.
The most challenging symptom for King-Crews has been the tremors, affecting her daily tasks like applying makeup and brushing her teeth. She decided to pursue a non-invasive surgical procedure called bilateral focused ultrasound, approved by the FDA in 2021. This procedure uses ultrasound waves to target specific areas in the brain associated with movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. While it is not a cure and does not replace medication, it can provide immediate results for those who cannot or do not want deep brain stimulation.
Following the procedure on one side of her body in March, King-Crews experienced improvements in her symptoms. The tremor on her right side disappeared, and her balance improved, allowing her to walk more comfortably. She was able to reduce her medication but still requires it for symptoms on her left side. She plans to undergo the procedure on the other side of her body in September. Despite the challenges of recovery, she remains positive and determined to keep moving forward.
In conclusion, Rebecca King-Crews bravely shared her journey with Parkinson’s disease and the positive impact of the focused ultrasound procedure on managing her symptoms. Her resilience and determination to continue pursuing her passions serve as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.