The Progression Of Parkinson's
This is blog #300 that I've done for ChicagoNow. THREE HUNDRED! Man...I need to find some other hobbies.
When I first decided to blog, the idea was to talk about my personal trip in the Parkinson's world. Because I'm a renaissance man, the blog has morphed into many other subjects but PD remains the focus.
It's now two years since my diagnosis and more than three since I recognized symptoms. Combine that with this 300 milestone and it seems a good time to look where I am now compared to the beginning.
In 2012, my main problem was balance. I was doing things like walking into walls. I fell a couple of times and had some other near falls. I didn't have the tremors you normally associate with Parkinson's, so when I was diagnosed, it was shocking.
A friend took me to a play about Parkinson's. At one point the narrator started listing all the things you get with PD. It went on for ten minutes.
I kept shaking my head in acknowledgment of certain symptoms but it really wasn't true.I was in the beginning stages of Parkinson's and my life wasn't much different than before the diagnosis.
Medication wasn't needed. I was told to stay active, be aware of possible changes and keep living life. Pretty easy, right?
It's two years later. Here's that list of crap you get with Parkinson's.... Rigidity Tremors Handwriting Day Time Drowsiness Dry Eyes Urinary Tract Infections Vitamin D Deficiencies Constipation Memory Issues
check, check, check, check, etc.
Well, that sleep thing sucks and the Urinary Tract issue..OY but each problem isn't such a big deal. Put them together and it does make life a little more challenging.
I realize I've just spent the last ten paragraphs bitching and whining. There is good news. At this point Parkinson's is still more of an inconvenience than anything major.
I've been to Parkinson's events and see people in a such bad shape it makes your heart break. It's understandable why depression is such a big part of this disease.
I also have friends that are fighting other life threatening diseases. I'm still here, still pretty healthy and am thankful for that.
Still you can't help but wonder what is coming down the road? If this is a two year progression, what will it look like in another two years?
The big trick is to do whatever you can do to slow the progression.... EAT HEALTHY. EXERCISE. GET REST. SEE YOUR DOCTORS...and most of all... KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Do I do this all the time? Of course not. Is that easy to do? Of course not...if all this stuff was easy, we'd all do it!! (Love that Tom Hanks line)
So that's my Parkinson's personal two-year review. Sorry to drag you down. I promise I won't write another one of these until I reach #600.
OMFG...300 down, 300 to go.