How do you not let Parkinsons Disease take over your life?
April 24, 2019
It started just as a simple cup of coffee after my special speech therapy for Parkinson's patients. While sipping our dark roast at Panera on Dobie Road in Okemos, we talked about my PD diagnosis that was made just about a month ago.
We both nodded our heads about how we have a new normal in our lives. My usual loud and low voice can quickly degrade into a somewhat loud whisper and I walk with a real stoop. I shuffle my feet using short steps and I'm using a walking stick to help counteract that.
The disease is something that's always there. It could easily shroud every part of our lives. How do you keep that from happening?
The goal is to compartmentalize. As much as possible, give the disease the time it needs and then put it back in the pigeonhole.
I caught myself sitting on our deck with my head down and getting depressed. The meds made me nauseated and kept me from enjoying my grandkids. I tried to be proactive and give myself a half hour to feel down. Then I switched gears and thanked God for everything I had, especially family.
How would I evaluate my efforts to challenge the disease? It's a work in progress.