Skip to main content

Not 20 Anymore

 Three years ago today I heard those words, "You have Parkinson's Disease."  If you had told me then that in three years I would be healthier, stronger, and more confident, I would not have believed you.  That day, I believed it was all going to be downhill from there.  There have definitely been some challenges but everyone has challenges and I have to remember that sometimes, life's challenges are just a normal part of life and getting older.  After all, I'm not 20 anymore.

PD or Normal Life?

If you have been diagnosed with something serious like PD, you may tend to blame everything on your disease.  I know that I do this on a regular basis.

My stiff and achy joints must be a result of PD and not the fact that I just spent hours at the gym working really hard... and I'm not 20 anymore.

My need to grab glasses to read on a regular basis must be PD affecting my eyes and not the fact that all my friends without PD are doing the same thing...and I'm not 20 anymore.

My croaky voice must be my dopamine stores depleting and not the fact that I just spent the last hour or so coaching a Rock Steady class  trying to make my voice heard above the music and other shenanigans.

My forgetting why I walked into the kitchen must be Parkinson's cognitive decline rearing its ugly head and not the fact that I'm not 20 anymore...or 30...or 40... or even 50.

I notice when my non-PD friends and family have these same issues and I have to remember, this is just part of life and not necessarily PD.  I can remember this better when I  am well rested. This year, I have learned the importance of rest.  I work really hard at staying healthy. Life can fill up fast with hours at the gym, multiple doctor's appointments, studying the latest research, trying to eat healthy.  When I go at full speed and don't take down time, I feel it in my body, mind and soul.  I hear the whisper of PD telling me that it is still there and it has me and I better not get too confident because if I do, it will blindside me at its first opportunity.  When I am well rested, I can face the real PD challenges easier.  They are not as daunting.  And that makes life easier.

Now, I think I'll go put my feet up and maybe take a nap...oh no, is my PD making me tired or is it that I'm not 20 anymore?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Big Dreams Not Happening

 If only we could live in a world where everyone put their innate talents and gifts together and worked to solve problems, we might have a world with  less illness and suffering.  It would also be a world with less multibillion dollar companies.   I understand that people need to make a living and I also understand that competition between companies can sometimes spur new thought and development of ideas. I understand the need for regulations and standards for safety. I understand that all of this costs money.   But when you are living day in and day out with a degenerating illness that has very few treatments, and no glimpse of a cure, you really don't give a darn about any of that.  You just want to get better.  You want to be able to trust that you are being given the best advice about the best treatment and you don't have time to wait for it.  I will continue to dream about my ideal world but I  expect that it will just stay a dream....
Post a Comment
Read more

Medication Pumps for the Trend Setters

I jest.  You have to keep a sense of humor when you are living with a condition like Parkinson's.  I am actually very thankful for new treatments even if they aren't pink and pretty.
Post a Comment
Read more

Self Advocacy in a World of Red Tape

In a perfect world, a person with an illness or a disability would easily be able to get needed services and treatments. We do not live in a perfect world and often the healthcare system is littered with red tape. Patients or their care partners are tasked with jumping through hoops, waiting countless hours on hold with pharmacies or insurance companies, and waiting months to see specialists. I wish I had the solution to this problem but unfortunately, I only see it getting worse. You need to be an advocate for yourself.   Here’s what has helped me: ·        Be persistent, be firm and be polite.  ·        Call often.  A squeaky wheel gets attention. ·        Stay on hold.  It is frustrating but sometimes it is the only way. ·        If someone doesn’t have the answer you need, ask to speak with someone who does.  ·   ...
Post a Comment
Read more