Before I start I would like to thank the staff, doctors, and nurses at Georgetown Hospital - They were awesome!

Since the WADA Test fairly unknown by many here is some quick info. It is a medical procedure with the patient awake. Essentially, they introduce a (truth serum) into one of the internal carotid arteries via a cannula or intra-arterial catheter from the femoral artery. They inject the drug into one hemisphere at a time into the right and left internal carotid artery. If the right carotid is injected, the right side of the brain is inhibited and cannot communicate with the left side. The effect shuts down any language and or memory function in that hemisphere in order to evaluate the other hemisphere ("half of the brain" - ( I had both the left and right sides of my brain “turned off”). An EEG recording at the same time confirms that the injected side of the brain is inactive as a neurologist performs a neurological examination. The neurologist engages the patient in a series of language and memory related tests. They evaluate the memory by showing a series of items or pictures to the patient. The test is typically administered by neurology specialist (I had three in the room-my specialist, the department head, and the other specialist).

Now that we got the general stuff out of the way! – on to the fun part:

Step 1. I arrived at the hospital and got lost (not a shocker) trying to figure out which department I was to check in at (radiology or neuro). I finally gave up and went to where I actually knew people the neuro department. Once at the a arrived at the neuro department a friendly EEG tech found me (who I know) and together we figured it out.

Step 2. After check in I head back to the neuro department for the placement of EEG leads, the tech placed EEG Leads on the outside of my head (20 in total).

Step 3. Then we headed to radiology to check in and have blood work and answer a thousand questions. After about an hour, the procedure RN, Surgeon, neurology specialists (3) came in to brief me on the test (awesome people).

Step 4. Moved to the procedure room and prepped for the procedure. The team was awesome I asked questions the whole time and they were super nice about answering them (It makes me less nervous if I can watch and ask questions – I am health guy). The doctor actually liked me asking him the questions (I love teaching hospitals).

Step 5. The catheter was moved in a place (I saw it being moved into place and actually felt the pressure in my jaw when it was in place). The cool part was the team also looked for other blockages and etc. in my body (I have a great heart and no chance of stroke). I could tell you more details, but it get a little graphic.

Step 6. The TEST!!!!! This was actually the fun part (truly was fun)! The drug was injected while the neurologist had me count while hold my arms in the air. He showed my shaped, objects, and had me read (I was drugged so it hard to tell you more than that). But the funniest part was he showed me a picture of a colonial men's jacket and I wasn’t sure what he want me to say so I said, “1776 George Washington's coat”. I got mad because he didn't think know what the picture was and keep pulling it away from me, I just couldn't remember the right time period. To the doctor's surprise I have some memory and language ability on my right side of the brain ( more memory than language, but who knows until I get the results – almost no motor). The left was much easier than the right side (one doctor was amazed I could even talk when the left side of my brain was “turned off”). Overall, this is a good sign. This conforms when I had my head injury back in 1989 my brain was able to relocate abilities to the right side.

Step 6. Recovery! I was in recovery for 3/4 hours ate lunch talked, then headed to my friend’s place for great care of my last night. Not going to lie I cried a little that night just over the whole experience, was in pain most of the night, and had a seizure.

Yesterday I was still dealing with pain from the catheter, emotions from the drug, and super dizzy. Today I am feeling about so much better but still dealing with dizziness (nothing crazy) and pain (I over did it yesterday with my three block walk – I guess I am not superman and post op instruction should be followed ). I should know next steps on a few weeks - will keep people posted.

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