A Happy New Year to All

"Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late."  Mike Tyson

So true, so true!

I can't believe this year is over already!  Time flies has new meaning to me these days and it just keeps flying faster and faster.  But for some odd reason, I feel like I just stay the same age - at least in my mind.  (sigh)

Side note:  We took the grand-kids to see the movie "Chipwrecked".   I am not saying the movie is bad or anything - but I would rather have sat in a room with someone screeching their nails on a chalkboard!  

Nuff said!!!!  

Enjoy your New Year Celebrations! 

May this new year bring peace and joy to all...

and a cure for Parkinson's would be great too!!!

 

For my Hubby - Chicago - Colour My World with Lyrics

What does one do when they plan a wonderful get-a-way for their wife on their anniversary and the wife has an emotional melt down lasting most of the trip???





My husband is a saint and handled it pretty well - mostly. That's why we have been married 37 years! Still - I know it sucked big time for him... and it was not a whole lot of fun for me either.  But I could not contain the emotions, nor the tears any longer.  So they both flowed and flowed and flowed some more.  Poor Hubby!!!!

I love you Hubby! Thank you for coloring my world!

Oh - and I owe you a trip!  One with no melt downs, I promise!
(None from me at least - feel free to have your own though.  After all, it's only fair!)

Chicago - "Colour My World" - YouTube

Where Are You Christmas? Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson (Live in conc...

Ziddy Sticks

"Do you want your arm swing back?", David Zid asked me!  "Sure - is that possible?", I responded!

This is where I get introduced to "Ziddy Sticks" - one of David Zid's inventions.  (Ignore the floor shots at the end of this video.  We have several floor shots in our other family videos too. It's become a family tradition.)

The Parkinson's patient walks in front, while a non-Parkinson's person walks in the back providing the natural arm swing.  When David first came up with this concept, they used plain poles, but did not get results.  Then they toyed with adding sound by adding steel shots to the poles, causing a cadence effect.   TADA - it worked like magic!

Thus the invention of "Ziddy Sticks" - and a wonderful addition to my work out routine.  Ten minutes a day Hubby and I walk around our court together (ignoring the curious looks!)  "Ziddy Sticks" also work for marriage counseling!!!  :)

Exercise - adding strength training and Interval cardio training

When I asked David Zid what the key ingredients in an exercise program to fight Parkinson's Disease are, I was a little surprised and taken back when he answered  -
     Strength training -
     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/strength-training/HQ01710 
     and
     Intensity (which I later figured out meant Interval training) - 
     http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/interval-training/SM00110 

Really???  These two types of training techniques are basically what MOST trainers say are key ingredients to ANY exercise program.  I was expecting something new and innovative made especially for people with PD!

However, the more I thought about it and the more David explained these two techniques to us - the more it made perfect sense.  I think everyone agrees that it is very important for people with Parkinson's to move, move, move, and then move some more.  Wouldn't it follow that we also need to work on making ourselves as strong and healthy as possible while we keep ourselves moving?   In most ways we are no different from our non-Parkinson's friends.  A strong, healthy body functions better, it moves better, and it fights disease and sickness better - doesn't it?  So if we really want to fight this disease the best we can, shouldn't we work at making and keeping our bodies as strong and healthy as they can be?  Isn't that the real goal of an exercise program?  It should be IMHO!  Read the two above links on these techniques and see all the health benefits they have to offer!

Here are some things I learned from David Zid:

Are these techniques something that can be incorporated into Parkinson's patients exercise routines?  Barring any special health issues - David Zid thinks the answer for many of us is - yes it can be and yes it SHOULD be.  We just need to start (with the permission of our doctors of course) at what ever level we are at and WORK, WORK, WORK, regularly and consistently to improve our ability to move and control our bodies, to become stronger, and to be healthier -  lift by lift, step by step - pushing just a little harder and a little harder each and every day (or at least 6 days a week).

Do you need David Zid to exercise?  He would be the first to tell you that you do not!  Although I will tell you his energy and enthusiasm are contagious, his knowledge is invaluable, and his experience with people with PD was extremely beneficial and comforting to me. His book and DVDs are a great resource to get started on an exercise path, however you don't need to travel to Ohio to develop an effective exercise program with him.  (It was a great experience though!!!)  David Zid and Jackie Russell are spending a great deal of time and effort in trying to get the info out to all of us and to the medical community about just how important and valuable exercise is in combating the debilitating effects of this disease.  They really believe this and have witnessed how it works so well!  But anyone can learn the principles of exercise with DVDs, books,  internet, gyms, or with other personal trainers.  Go to YouTube and watch a bunch of videos on exercises for Parkinson's Disease.  They are all good! (Maybe not all, but the ones I watched were good).  Google and read about strength and interval training techniques and work them into your regular workout sessions.  Just do it - EXERCISE!!

Will we still have bad days if we exercise?  Pretty much guaranteed!  It's the nature of this PD beast.  David says - "On those bad days, try to do what you can.  And on your good days, do a little more and push yourself a little harder.!!" Exercise does not cure Parkinson's Disease and it is a progressive disease.  But David Zid believes exercise can help slow down the progression and sometimes even reverse or delay some of the symptoms.  He believes it is so beneficial as part of the treatment process that it is hard to understand why anyone wouldn't do it. I am buying into this belief.  It just makes sense to me.

David also says - "We don't have a choice about aging - so why not age well!. 
It's the same way with PD!  Some do not have a choice in having PD - 
so why not live with it well!"  

That is what I intend to do - live with it well!


(More to come on exercising  - along with some tips and helps for us special PD people!)
 For more info on David Zid see - http://delaythedisease.com/

How's your smile?

I know I promised details on my sessions with David Zid, but I have been so busy putting what he taught me into practice that I have not had time to write about it yet.  (That's my story and I am stickin with it.)

As a side note here is a humorous story, well at least it's funny now, but it wasn't yesterday!!! :(

I saw a new doctor for a screening to be part of a PD study (which I will tell you more about later).  For those of you who don't know - I have a hearing loss which I have had most of my life and which finally caused me to get hearing aids several years ago.  The hearing aids help, but are not perfect, and sometimes I still have problems making out what someone says, especially if they have an accent.  This new doctor had an accent...

Doctor:  "So how is your smile?" 

Me: (Grinning from ear to ear to show him!)  "Great"

Doctor:  (Looking at me strangely as I continue to smile as big as I can)  "Any problems that you notice?"

Me:  (Still grinning)  "Well occasionally my cheeks twinge a little"

Doctor:  (Looking at me like I am a fruitcake!) "They do?"  (Totally perplexed)

At this point, Hubby can't stand it any longer, and says "You didn't hear him did you?" 

Me:  "Yes I did - he asked me how my smile was."

Hubby: "No - your SMELL.  How is your smelling ability?"

Really now...Who asks how your smell is?????

"Looking Down the Road" Moments

While I try really hard to stay positive and upbeat as much as possible and focus on the "here and now", every once in a while I have "looking down the road" moments that make me feel incredibly sad.   This past week I have had several.  I don't know why - but I do know I don't like them.  They hit me hard sometimes, making me feel kind of like someone kicked me in the gut.

Moment #1 - I was running late in getting ready for work earlier this week.  I tried to speed up my pace but my body  would not cooperate - it just starting shaking more and more as I tried to hurry.  My left hand shook and stiffened causing me trouble when I tried to tuck my shirt in, put my ear rings in, and tie my shoes.   I finally had to slow down and take a big deep breath and allow myself to move a little slower.  "Down the road" my mind crept ... "I am turning into a turtle.  What's  going to happen if I can't dress myself?  Will I have to quit my job soon?  How will I deal with being an invalid? ..."  

Moment #2 - A couple of days ago while walking, I stumbled when I stepped into a hidden hole that was covered with leaves, apparently causing me to pull a muscle in my back.  I didn't feel any effects and continued my walk and then the rest of my exercise routine when I got home.  However as the day wore on, the pain started up.  It hurt when I sat down and when I stood up or moved a certain way.  All too quickly, "down the road" my mind ran ... "What will happen if I can't exercise anymore?  How will I deal with this disease if pain becomes a major part of it?  How will Hubby handle having to do everything for me?..."

Moment #3 - Last night we babysat two of our Grandsons.   I was trying to burp my precious littlest Grandson by holding him in a sitting position with my right hand and patting his sweet little back with my left hand.  My left hand stiffened and felt very awkward when trying to pat.  It would not work the way it was suppose to, instead of a pat, I only got a jerky motion.  So down the road my mind went again ... "What will happen when this disease moves to my right hand?  Will I be able to hold my Grandchildren?  Will I be able to play with them?  Will I be able to do anything?  ...."
 
Anyone else seeing a pattern here?  You may have noticed how quickly I jump to the absolutely worse case scenario possible. Good grief!!!  This kind of thinking seems so unproductive and useless!   Yet, in a way it does serve a purpose for me.  These moments make me mad, really mad, and even more determined to fight this disease.  My mind may go "down the road" thinking about the worse case scenarios every now and then, however, I will NOT go down those roads in real life, at least not without a fight!!

Don't you dare MESS with ME, PD!!!! GGGRRR!!!  (Do I sound scary enough?)

Does anyone else have these moments?  If so, how do you handle them?

Most of the time, I usually quickly catch myself, give myself a little mental slap (or a good hard one if necessary), and more determined than ever to fight this disease, I try to quickly force my mind back to the here and now - where it belongs!

No one sits on the sidelines at David Zid's gym!

As I mentioned before, after meeting with David Zid, my husband is on board with getting himself fit also.  When we went to meet David the first day, my husband wore his khaki pants, a sweater, and his regular shoes.  His plan was to observe, take notes and pictures for me.  There was a table along a wall with a couple of chairs next to it, and he quickly settled into one of those chairs.  However not more than 3 minutes into my training, before my Hubby knew what hit, David had him out of the chair obediently (and even enthusiastically) doing exercises too.  You see - we quickly found out no one sits on the sidelines in David Zid's gym. His energy and love for exercise is contagious so you don't want to just sit and watch.  Besides, the chairs are used for exercising. 

It wasn't long before David noticed my husband had a drooping shoulder and since I had mentioned I had a rotor cuff problem awhile back, he outlined a shoulder regimen for the both of us to add to our daily routine. (Dang Hubby, thanks a lot!)

After working with David for a couple of hours Tuesday morning, he invited us to come to a Parkinson's exercise group session that evening.  We jumped at the opportunity to see how to pull all that he had been teaching us into a workout session.  We planned to just quietly observe the group. (Silly us!)  Thank goodness we wore our exercise clothes.

Following that hour long session, David had another session scheduled with an all men's group.  While a couple of the men had Parkinson's, most of them were just regular healthy males who had been working out for awhile and were in very good shape.  David invited us to stay and "observe"  if we wanted to.  I decided it would be interesting to observe the difference in the routines so we stayed around to watch. (ha ha - yes, we are that stupid!!!)  You guessed it - NO ONE just stands around and watches in David's gym!  Quickly  we were drawn into this group's workout and I officially became one of the "boys" for the evening.  And if I do say so myself, other than not being able to pull myself across the floor with my arms while dragging my legs behind on floor disks, and also lifting weights that were a few pounds lighter  (cough cough), I did a pretty darn good job of keeping up with them - at least on the cardio parts.   And ...I was even able to walk out of the gym on my own!  (hold the applause please)  Hubby on the other hand, had a rude awakening of just how out of shape he is.  So now he is determined to get back in shape and is working out with me.  

(high five David!)

My husband insists to this day that our trip to meet with David Zid for my Parkinson's needs was just a subterfuge and my real reason was to suck him into getting physically fit!  Not true - but I have to admit I LOVED the fact that he had to do everything I did!!  After all, the couple who lifts weights together, feels aches together... or something like that...  

Good job David! (handing money under the table)  ;)

David Zid was awesome!

I am back from my trip to Ohio where I met with David Zid. (http://delaythedisease.com/)  It was a fantastic experience!!!  We also had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my sister, niece, and her family.  The food was delicious and the company even better.  All in all it was a great trip.

Training and learning from David exceeded my expectations and hopes in every way.  Every minute I spent with him confirmed to me that God had guided me there and that I was in the right place, doing the right thing.  He was inspiring, knowledgeable, encouraging, energetic, funny and very upbeat.  His faith and confidence in what exercise can do to help fight Parkinson's disease was contagious.  I believe with all my heart that with a good exercise program, not only can I slow the progress of this disease down but I can even reverse some of the symptoms that I already have.  David has seen it happen with others, and I fully intend for it to happen with me too.  I have made a goal that in a year from now my UPDRS score (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating scale) will be lower than it was when I was first diagnosed.  In my 3 day crash course, David taught me what I need to do to build an exercise program that will help fight this disease.   My husband is just as excited about this and is even on board with trying to get fit himself. (more on that humorous story later).   

Now I have to put all that I was taught into practice!   I am psyched, ready to jump in and do this, yet so very nervous and scared.  In many ways I feel like I did years ago when we brought our first newborn home from the hospital for the first time.  After we gently laid him in his bassinet, I stood there looking at him feeling so excited and happy, yet so extremely scared and unsure of myself.  I remember thinking "What in the world am I going to do now????  I am totally responsible for this little guy!".   Then I broke into tears and sobbed while my husband stood there looking totally helpless, uncomfortable, and frightened himself.

When we left David's gym on Wednesday, I felt like he was the nurse handing me my newborn baby and wishing me luck!  Even though he has taught me what I need to know and given me the tools to do what I need to do, I still wonder...(panic)...Can I really do this??? 

YES!
I CAN do this!
I WILL do this!
Watch me!!!  Better yet - join me!!!
One year from now,  Thanksgiving 2012,  my UPDRS scores WILL be lower than they are now!
(UM... I guess I should find out what they are now, shouldn't I?)

Delay the Disease - Parkinson's Exercise Miracles

Three more days and I get to meet David Zid! How awesome is that?

You can order his exercise book and DVD here: http://delaythedisease.com/?page_id=2 
No, I don't make a commission!  lol  However, I do believe in the benefits of his program!!!

If you don't want to use David's program, find one you like.  Any exercise program would be good for you - those of you with PD and those of you without!  Just make exercise a daily part of your life!!!!  You will feel so much better when you do!

The effects of family stress, painful dentist appointment, and gloomy weather

1. Three weeks of family stress and drama!
(which I thought I handled very will btw)
 2. An extremely painful dentist appointment!
(my shaking really bothered the dentist and his assistant so
I finally informed them I had Parkinson's.  The assistant said "I thought you
just didn't like us". Well if truth be known, I did NOT like them!!!!),
3. And gloomy rainy weather!

All three have combined to cause this today....
(Apparently you have to click on it twice to view it at You Tube!)

Humiliation

Before going out for my daily walk, I checked the weather station and found it was a bit chilly this morning.  So I bundled myself up to be nice and toasty.  I hate cold and I especially hate how the cold makes me shake twice as bad as normal.  So on went my long stretch pants, a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, a fake down vest, and of course my gloves and then out the door I cheerfully skipped. (yeah right)

As soon as the first blast of cold wind hit, so did the shaking, but I ignored it and quickly upped to a brisk walking pace to get warmer.  At my usual spot, I began running.  (I call it running, but I have been informed by an acquaintance (jerk) who really runs that it's actually a very slow jog... hhhmmfff...) OK, so I began my slow jog!  :P

My body was doing more than it's fair share of whining as I jogged, but I told it to shut up and keep running cause I wasn't stopping - so there!  As my feet heavily padded along the pavement,  I heard someone coming up behind me and it was quickly quite evident their pace was way faster than mine.  Sure enough a  young girl sprinted pass me leaving me in the dust as I moved to the side so she could pass!

"PPFFTT...so what!!!... she's young... she should be faster. Lets see how fast she runs when she is my age!!!!"

Then...as I watched her fade away out of site, the real kicker hit...
Not only was she running faster....
She was running faster AND she was wearing shorts and a thin long sleeved T-shirt...
Shorts - ladies and gentlemen!!!!  And she didn't seem the least bit bothered by the cold.
While at the same time, I am dragging along, bunndled in 3 layers, still shaking like a leaf because it's freezing!

Alright!  I get it already!!!  I am old!!!!
But you know what?
Next week when she has pneumonia, I am going to be out running... SLOW jogging...whatever! 

I am so irked!

I am so irked...
My day started out so good too...

I went on my usual walk/run today and during the run part my brain and body were cooperating very nicely.  The weather was so fabulous that I actually walked an extra mile on my georgeous path.  It was a little warmer than I expected so before I started running, I ended up taking off my sweatshirt and left it on some ball park bleachers that I pass.  I do this quite often because its a very secluded area and then I grab the sweatshirt on my way back.  Never been a problem before!

Not today!

My sweatshirt was gone!  Not just A sweatshirt though... my FAVORITE sweatshirt that is so comfortable and also has sentimental value.  We had given it to my father-in-law years ago, then retrieved it after he died.  It was gone!  Someone took my favorite sweatshirt during the 1/2 hour I was gone.  Someone - like one of the 4 or less people that would by chance be on the path during the late morning.  Come on! 

I remembered passing two older oriental ladies (way older than me) and one of them was carrying what I thought was a white jacket.  Now I wonder, did she pick up my sweatshirt thinking someone had just left it there from one of the weekend games?  I walked back trying to find the ladies but they were nowhere to be found.  (Please - No wise cracks from the peanut gallery about not being able to catch up with old ladies!!!).

So I am irked.  Irked at myself for leaving the sweatshirt.  Irked that someone picked it up.  Mostly irked that my favorite sweatshirt is gone.  I hope whoever has it enjoys it as much as I did.  UUUUUGGGGG!!!!

Footprints (New Version)

Not so easy!

I thought once I hit the one mile mark (see http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2011/10/mile-i-did-it.html), it would be a down hill run from there on - like it was when I was younger.  Silly me!  Not only am I not younger any more (gggrrrr), but in addition to a few years (ha ha) I also have the privilege of Parkinson's disease.  My body refuses to let me forget this fact hard as I try.  So my running has not been a down hill run since I hit the one mile mark!  Nope - in fact it has been a total uphill battle - a battle between my brain and my body. 

My body has decided it should be in control of the agenda these days, and often it wants a different agenda each day.  So when I wake up I find myself wondering what's on the agenda for today.  My brain still likes to think it sets the agenda - but  - oh contraire!  My body definitely has a very loud voice when stating it's opinion!  Some days it's an all out and out war over which one will win.  Some mornings they both are very cooperative and others - well let's just say it's not so easy! 

So all in all - how my running goes all depends on the day and if my brain is in control of the agenda or my body.  Some days I am lucky to hit the mile marker again, some days I can push a little farther, and some days I am lucky to just be walking!

 

Oh - And who ever is in charge of the weather - You're fired!!!!!! 

I mean seriously! SNOW in OCTOBER????  

I am still waiting for Fall weather!!

Exciting News!

I have had some exciting things happen the past couple of weeks, sooooo exciting I just had to share!

1.  A new Grandson was added to our family.  This makes Lucky 13 for us and # 14 is on it's way in a month or so!  We are doing a fine job of multiplying.  lol  Mom and baby are doing fine and Grandma and Grandpa are delighted!  He is so adorable and cuddly.  We love our grandchildren.  It was worth having kids to get them!  (well  - mostly worth it)

2.  A couple of weeks ago I had the special opportunity to meet one of my online pals, Fay, in person. We had a delightful time together eating (we are both confirmed Foodies) and talking!  We also saw the movie "The Big Year"  (hey, come to think of it that kind of describes my past year).  Fay and I have been corresponding online for a couple years now and I consider her a close friend.  She has talked me through some trying times, including my Parkinson's diagnosis, always encouraging me to stay optimistic and positive.  Fay sent me this story of the blind horse one morning when I was really down - http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2011/04/needed-reminders.html   Her bell is always there when I need it most! I really enjoyed meeting her and found her to be just as sweet and cute in person as she is online. 

And last but not least - my Parkinson's related exciting news!   (drum roll please)

3.  Ta da - (more drum roll)
I tracked down David Zid  (see this post- http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2011/09/meet-my-new-best-friend-david-zid.html) and will be traveling to meet him in person in several weeks.  He is going to work with me as a private trainer in setting up an exercise program to meet my specific needs.  How cool is that?  I am sooo excited about this opportunity and very grateful for all the work he has done to help people like me with Parkinson's.  I promise to keep you updated about this exciting adventure as it plays out!  I really believe this is going to be a key ingredient in dealing with my disease.  I am really looking forward to this unique opportunity to meet him and gain some of the benefits from his amazing work and research with Parkinson's disease!

So much excitement in my life I can hardly contain myself sometimes!!!

I still have one more exciting adventure in the works - but you will have to wait to find out what it is.  I plan to share it later as it unfolds!  (I just love suspense - don't you?)  lol

God has been good to me and I am truly blessed.  I feel His love for me each and every day and am so thankful for the amazing people He has placed in my life!  Thank you amazing people and Thank you God!!!!!

Where are the deer?

Funniest Hunting Commercial - Serious Hunters by Trade - The Hunt Trader



Where are the deer?

I know where they are!
They are all hanging out and lounging around my walking path -
that's where they all are!

Ever since the signs went up on the trees telling us humans to stay
close to the path because it is hunting season, the deer have been
keeping us company while we walk! They are staying very very
close to the path!

The other day I ran behind Bambi and his mom who were slowly
strolling on the path  As I got closer they kindly moved to the side
to let me pass and then quickly returned to resume their stroll.

I am beginning to think they can read.

They are very smart deer!

Unlike the man in this video!

(Before anyone attacks me - I am not condoning nor condemning hunting!)
(But... please leave Bambi and his mom alone!!!!)

Who in their right mind would fly 900 miles for ice cream?

The one thing I have never been accused of is being in my right mind!!!

Saturday morning - 11:00 a.m. - A chocolate Butterfinger shake!  
 Sooooo gooooood!

Saturday eveing  - 8:00 p.m. - A cherry bon bon sundae and a turtle pecan sundae!  
Soooo gooooood!

(I shared! a little) 

Sunday morning - 11:30 a.m.   Another cherry bon bon sundae!  
Sooooooo goooood!

Real black cherries, the best tasting hot fudge in the world,
along with the creamiest hand dipped ice cream you will ever taste. 
My mouth is watering again!

Sunday evening - 7:30 p.m.  Another Butterfinger shake!  
Soooooo goooood!

I savored every bite! 
Yes they do have other flavors, but this is my all time favorite. 
Thick, creamy - no ice crystals - made from hand dipped ice cream
with big chunks of Butterfinger candy bar. 
I love getting to the end where there is just chunks of Butterfinger in my cup. 
YUM YUM!

! 

Empty!

This is such a sad picture!

As you can see this is the perfect ice cream for people with Parkinson's!


Oh and in case you are wondering,
I did eat other things on this trip.
I even managed to fit this in Sunday afternoon!

Also really good!

A mile - I did it!!!

I did it!  I ran a full mile without stopping.  I know for some of you young-uns out there - this seems quite trivial.  But I have not ran a full mile without stopping for um... well... lets just leave it at it's been a looong time. So I am excited to reach this mile marker, I mean literally reach the mile marker!   And for the next couple of weeks I am going to enjoy doing it again and again.  Then I am going to start working on the 2 mile marker!  Who knows - maybe some day I will run a marathon.  Well, that may be a little ambitious, but you never know!!! 

Right now, I am really excited about my 1 mile. 

Two feet vs Four feet

    VS

For the past couple of weeks, Hubby has had to go to work early and has not been able to walk with me. I have discovered some advantages and disadvantages to walking alone.

ADVANTAGES:
1. The walk is very serene, and quiet.
2. I  walk longer.
3. When I sing out loud there is no-one to complain.
4. If I trip or fall I don't have to be embarrassed cause there is no-one to
    see my klutziness.
5. It gives me lots of time to think and ponder my life.

DISADVANTAGES:
1. The walk is too serene,  and way way too quiet.
2. The walk only SEEMS longer.
3. When I sing out loud I look like a fool when someone passes me.
4. If I trip or fall there is no-one to help me back up.
5. I think and ponder about my life!

It all depends on how you look at it - doesn't it?  Some days walking alone is an advantage and then other days it might be a disadvantage.  This post could also be titled "Walking alone vs lonely walking":   The walk is the same - the only thing different is the perspective.

While I sometimes enjoy walking alone, I never enjoy lonely walking.   So, two feet walking is OK occasionally, but really, I think I prefer four feet!  Thank goodness Hubby's early morning schedule is done!

 Yup - that's much better!     

Meet my new best friends - David Zid & Jackie Russell

I bought both the book and the DVD "Delay the Disease". I now spend a lot of time with my new friends! They are wonderful!!!

The book is very easy to follow with both a description and a picture to show how to do the exercises, which were simple enough that even I could follow them.(If you knew me you would understand that really says a lot lol) They have the exercises listed and laid out to follow in a weekly schedule. The program can be modified and the exercises are adaptable for 3 levels, which I think would meet almost anyone's needs. David Zid and Jackie Russell are clearly two very compassionate and dedicated people working to help Parkinson's patients. It's easy to tell they are passionate about their work and their belief that exercise is a huge benefit in controlling the disease.

And here is their site - http://delaythedisease.com/

David and Jackie - Thank You!!! You have given me hope! I am going to meet you in person some day to thank you properly! :)

My smooth path has been altered a bit!

The path we walk in the morning 
was flooded several weeks ago 
and there was some damage.  
A few areas of the path 
were altered a bit, 

but all in all it's still a pretty smooth, 
enjoyable path to exercise on!

The smooth asphalt shifted in this spot - just a bit!

Some chunks of it shifted a lot
leaving a rocky area in it's place!

(Notice the big chunk of asphalt off to the side?) 

Pictures can speak a thousand words!

These pictures show the effects of powerful flood waters.

Symbolically, they also do a pretty good job of depicting 

the effects of the early stage of Parkinson's Disease 

on my life right now!  

Having Parkinson's Disease has caused

a little shifting and some rocky patches,
but still my path is quite 

smooth and enjoyable for the most part!

I know the probability of more flooding is high! 
Parkinson's is a progressive disease.

There will be further damage 

which will make my path 
more rocky than smooth at times, 

and not quite as enjoyable -

but for now I choose not to think about that!

I choose to just continue to enjoy the path the way it is today!

Because it's my path - the one I travel on every day!
And most days,

it's a very enjoyable path!

She's gone!

Our cat left this world peacefully tonight, curled up in her bed. She passed the same way she lived her life for most of the last 15 years, quietly and unobtrusively. While she was never a lap cat, she was a good cat and was usually very little trouble.  Her motto was "Live and let live - as long as you don't bother me, we will all get along fine!"  Hhhmm, that sounds vaguely familiar...

We are relieved she is free from her ailing body now! She will be missed, even by me.

This is not her, but it is close to what she looked like!  Farewell sweet cat!

Parkinson's update - 6 months

It's been 6 whole months since a doctor first dropped the Parkinson's word into my unsuspecting and very unwelcoming lap. And it's been 5 months since the diagnosis was made official. Where am I now? Well, really not anywhere different and yet, I am in a majorly different place. Sound confusing? Yeah, to me too.

My physical symptoms continue, only they seem more noticeable, or at least I notice them more: tremors in my left hand and leg (my hand shakes most of the time now), stiffness (rigidity) on the left side, my left hand fingers sometimes refuse to move the way I want them to, some achyiness mostly in my left wrist and arm, and minor balance issues (but I have been a klutz most of my life, so not sure this is any different). Lately there are minor signs that the tremors are starting to migrate to the right side also. This latest development is sucky (to say the least).

My emotions remain the same, I have my ups and downs but I am managing to stay positive the majority of the time. I try real hard to stay focused on the here and now and not project down the road. Sometimes my brain forces me to look down the road, but I quickly slap it silly till it comes back to the present. Or if that doesn't work, I sit in my shower until I cry it all out or the water turns cold (whichever is first). Hey, whatever works! Right? lol

The biggest difference for me right now is how I view my life. I am more cognitive of everything I can do, which I use to take for granted. Smiling, picking up and holding my grandson, wearing high heels, buttoning a shirt, typing, and driving, to name a few. What a blessing these all are, well - except the high heels maybe, but hubby thinks they are sexy looking, and that is a blessing (wink wink)! I am pretty sure the heels will be the first to go though. (probably a good thing)(sigh) Anyways, while this disease scares the daylight out of me when I go down the "what can happen" road, if I manage to stay in the here and now it makes me very grateful for so many things.

So where am I today compared to 6 months ago? I am still doing everything I was then. My life routine has not changed on the surface much, except I shake more, I walk slower going down stairs (only when in heels), I exercise longer and more regularly so actually I am more physically fit than I was before (pat on the back). I think about having Parkinson's all the time, and most of the time I am way more grateful of the here and now because of it. I still go to work, we travel, go to movies and eat out (a lot). Our kids still drive us nuts, we joke and laugh, and we fight and make up. I am still annoying and obnoxious at times, and hubby still loves me and puts up with me.

So all in all, I am still me and life is still good (and still sometimes yucky), only now my life includes Parkinson's Disease. I am not particularly happy about it - but it is what it is... so I live with it. (Not like I was given a choice or anything!) And most days I live very well with it. Other days? Like I said, I am still me.

Hole in the World - September 11th

YouTube - Uploaded by flvtecivic95 on May 22, 2007

USNA Men's Glee Club specialty group, The Anchormen, during the Commissioning Week Concert: 21 May 2007.

THE LYRICS - "There's a hole in the world tonight"
The EAGLES (one of my favorite groups)

There's a hole in the world tonight
There's a cloud of fear and sorrow
There's a hole in the world tonight
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.

They say that anger is just love dissappointed.
They say that love is just a state of mind.
But all this fighting over who will be annointed
Oh how can people be so blind?

There's a hole in the world tonight
There's a cloud of fear and sorrow
There's a hole in the world tonight
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.

Oh they tell me there's a place over yonder,
Cool water running through the burning sand.
Until we learn to love one another
We will never reach the promised land.

There's a hole in the world tonight
There's a cloud of fear and sorrow
There's a hole in the world tonight
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.

(There's a hole in the world tonight)
They say that anger is just love dissappointed.
(There's a cloud of fear and sorrow)
They say that love is just a state of mind.
(There's a hole in the world tonight)
But all this fighting over who will be annointed
(Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow)
Oh how can people be so blind

Jingle Bells

My favorite son-in-law (I only have one), says he is going to buy me jingle bell jewelry.

I promptly smacked him! It felt good too!

The cat again - now what do we do?

No-one would take my cat for free, so I have a new offer for you all. I will pay you to take my cat! Help me out - I will make you an offer you can't refuse - I promise. Yes, it's that bad!!!!!!

We took kitty to the vet and apparently she has a "mass" in her intestines. For a mere $300 they can do an ultrasound and try to see what it is. However at her age, the vet told us, it doesn't really matter what it is, because they won't do anything about it anyways. Needless to say we kept our $300.

Too help make the poor little kitty feel better, the vet told us to start gradually switching her to soft food. She has been on dry food her entire life. She also gave us a laxative to give to her. Now, I am no dummy, so it seems to me if we already have a problem with her not eliminating her hard turds into the cat litter - really - is making them runny a good ideal?

The vet said she was concerned about how skinny kitty is - and she needs to eat more - and the soft foods will help - and we have to consider the quality of her life, - and blah blah blah. Being the selfless person I am, I was thinking the entire time "what about the quality of my life?"

To make a long story short, out of guilt we followed the advice of the veterinarian (the $100 advice - thank you very much) and gradually switched her to the soft food, (although we skipped the laxative - I do have my limits). Sure enough as expected, my quality of life has gone way down! It is my worst nightmare come true - I will spare you the description!!!!

So it seems to me we have three choices here - as the status quo is not working for me - at all.

1. Buy a very large crate which will become her home. (I would still have to deal with the mess, but at least it would not be on my carpet.)
2. Introduce her to the outside world which would be her new home - (she has never been outside since we got her over 15 years ago and probably would not last long - although - she still has her claws.)
3. Put her down. (At the moment this still feels a lot like murder to me - but a few more days of this and...after all, the vet said we do have to consider the quality of her life - which is about to decline very rapidly if this keeps up!!!)

Do you think they make Depends for cats? How about nursing homes for cats?

What to do, what to do????

Creepy & Silly Walking Stuff

Creepy stuff:
Every morning during the weekdays, my husband and I walk/run (mostly walk) along a paved nature path that follows along a small creek. Yesterday while walking we noticed an animal carcass laying on the path. It was so disgusting seeing it there that we felt we should give it a proper burial. So my husband promptly flipped it far away into the weeds with a stick. and we hurried on our way and quickly tried to forget it.

Today while walking along the same path we were surprised to see the carcass again, laying the exact same way in the exact same spot. This time we ignored it and quickly got out of there! However, on our return walk about 1/2 hour later, surprisingly it was nowhere to be found. Now that is just plain creepy. If it's back tomorrow, I am finding a new path!

Silly stuff:
While walking my husband and I joke around a lot. Sometimes we have serious discussions, and sometimes we even iron out our disagreements. (See previous post "Nothing a good 8 mile hike can't resolve") But mostly we joke around. One day we sang the song "Ants go marching one by one" to keep up the pace while walking up a steep hill. (OK - maybe I sang it) After awhile we started to made up our own words. I am not saying it got a little PG13ish or anything, but do you realize what kinds of things ants can do that rhyme with numbers? lol (Shame on my husband!!!)

More silly stuff:
This is the conversation we had when hubby walked behind me for a minute to let a biker ride by:

Hubby: Are you wiggling your hips like that on purpose or do you wiggle like that naturally when you walk?

Me: Why? - Is it a nice wiggle?

Hubby: It is a nice wiggle! I like it!

Me: Or is it a weird wiggle?

Hubby: I wouldn't say it was nice if it was weird.

Me: You might if you were a nerd?

Hubby: Do you think I am a nerd?

Me: Of course not - I am just saying a nerd would like a weird wiggle. Do you think you are a nerd?

Hubby rolls his eyes and changes the subject.

Now - I realize I could have avoided this absurdity when he said "its a nice wiggle and I like it" by just replying "Why thank you - that is so sweet!" But what fun would that be?

OK - I admit it - I am just plain weird and maybe a tad bit silly in a creepy sort of way.

Any nerds out there?

Monday humor - with a good message!

Comedian MIKE WILLIAMS THE EAGLE SONG most requested comedy song

My dilemma

My doctor has suggested I go on one of two drugs, Azilect or Selegiline, for the "theoretical purpose" of slowing down the progression of Parkinson's.  These drugs are MAO-B inhibitors.  If I understand correctly, MAO's are enzymes in the brain that can break down dopamine.  Since the cause of Parkinson's is the loss of dopamine in the brain, the ideal is to keep as much dopamine as possible - thus the need for inhibiting MAOs. The theory is that taking these drugs will buy some time (possibly about 9 months to a year) before having to start taking the hardcore Parkinson's drugs, which have a limited window of effectiveness and yucky side effects after using them awhile.  

It seems to make logical sense to take one of these drugs - so where is my dilemma? As some of you know - I am not always logical so the logical aspect doesn't necessarily help me.  I am very much ruled by my emotions.  Sometimes it's hard to choose long term benefits because of the immediate sacrifices needed to achieve them.  The problem is that I am often emotionally attached to the things I have to sacrifice.  That is part of my dilemma now.  To achieve the possible benefit of these drugs down the road, I may have to make some sacrifices that I don't want to make and all for a "theoretical benefit".   Do I want to sacrifice some of my quality now to possibly gain a little more quantity of quality later?  Uh - I don't think so!  I want to keep my status quo quality AND also have more quantity of quality later.  Is that too much to ask?

This may sound silly to some, but the main reason I don't want to go on these drugs is the possible side effect of diminishing libido and sexual response.  Some would say this is a small price to pay for the benefit of delaying the need for the hardcore Parkinson's drugs which have even greater side effects.  Perhaps, but somehow I am not feeling that way right now.  My emotions are telling me this cost is a little too high! I am emotionally attached to my libido!  lol

One of the benefits my husband and I discovered from becoming empty nesters is that our marital sexual relationship blossomed. (OK - maybe I am a late bloomer!)  I am way more relaxed and less stressed without kids (go figure), we have more time, and I have learned to really enjoy this part of our life.  In fact I like this part of our life - a lot!!!  After just spending the last several years successfully fighting the negative effects of menopause on my sex life, I am feeling extremely distressed that going on these med's is probably going to throw me into another sexual downward spiral and this time I won't be able to climb back up.  I am finding this thought to be overwhelmingly depressing!  If this is one of life's jokes  - I am not laughing.

So I have decided - for now - not to go on these drugs.  Instead I am going to concentrate my efforts on using exercise and nutrition, and hope these will help slow down the progression without the use of drugs. Maybe I am kidding myself.  My doctor has informed me that eventually I will have to go on these drugs and others with far worse side effects. I am sure there will come a day that my sexual life will be impacted in some way by the drugs and the disease itself.  However, if it is, I will deal with it then.  I am not ready to deal with it now! I like the quality of my life now and I want to enjoy it as long as it lasts. 

Am I a fool?   Maybe - but for at least awhile longer - I intend to be a happy fool!

A good end to a lousy week!

It's been a long lousy week!  The company I work for moved our offices - dust and all.  (Men!!!!)  I slid and took a tumble while running down a short gravel hill, ending up with scrapes and bruises all over my body.  One of my kids who lives alone with her son, over 2000 miles away from us, ended up in the hospital for a week because of severe infected cat bites from breaking up a cat fight.  And, to continue the cat trouble theme, our 15 year old cat decided to have litter box aversion problems  for the first time ever.  (Do you think it is inhumane to put a cat down for pooping on my carpets?)  (Don't jump on me - I am not serious - although I have to admit the thought really did cross my mind.)   Did I mention that my Parkinson tremors get worse from stress?  Thank goodness it's over!

However I had a good end to this lousy week.  After work tonight, Hubby and I went to our community pool to cool off from this horrible heat wave.  We both worked late so we got to the pool an hour before it closed.  It was nearly empty and it felt so calming and refreshing swimming laps.  Several laps I turned on my back to swim the back stroke.  Staring up at the beautiful dusk lit sky while slowly gliding through the water felt so serene that I could literally feel the stress of the week seep out of me into the water with each stroke.

Then to continue with our de-stressing objective, we undermined the swimming health benefit by driving to Dairy Queen where I enjoyed a delicious Turtle Pecan Cluster Blizzard.  It was sooooooo good!

                    YUM YUM!  Definitely a good ending to a lousy week!

                              Anyone want to adopt a 15 year cat?  She's free!!!!

Nothing a good 8 mile hike can't resolve!!!

Update to the punching bag post!  We have resolved our conflict after spending several days processing what we were feeling and figuring out what we needed to happen for resolution.   (or in other words - we both fumed and stewed for several days).  Well actually the truth is - hubby did more of the fuming and stewing this time.  I had a rather quick recovery - thank you very much!  Must have been because I beat that punching bag to death and felt so much better after.  lol  On Saturday we went on a long hike which ended up being over 8 miles, we got lost and then ended up calling our daughter to come rescue us - but that is another story.  Anyways - during our long walk, we were able to calmly talk this latest issue out and find resolution that is satisfactory to both of us.  (or in other words - he admitted he was wrong and I was right! lol)  (Actually not the case - but I just liked saying it)

Bottom line is our marriage is better off than before.  This conflict has brought us closer together and helped us to understand each other a little better.  We have identified some areas of improvement that we both have to work on - mainly communication!

Unfortunately there was one side drawback for my husband.  This episode has brought him out of denial land and made my disease more real to him.  In a way I am saddened by that - but I know it had to happen eventually.  It has forced us both to look at some differences in our expectations for the future and helped us to understand that we both will have some compromising to do.  Our expectations are going to have to be a little more flexible as we figure out what works and what doesn't.

So we move forward in this learning journey - together, hand in hand as we walk towards the sunset!  (whatever!!!  lol)

I am keeping the punching bag around just in case.

Where is the Punching Bag?

A few posts back, Fay suggested I get a punching bag.  Right now, THIS VERY MINUTE, I  really need one and I want to put my husband's face on it!!!!!!!!  In all fairness, however, I am sure my husband would also like a punching bag with MY face on it.  lol

It's funny how life altering events can bring marital faults and cracks to the surface very quickly.  All marriages have them and if you know someone who says their marriage doesn't, IMHO they are either lying or in huge denial.  My marriage is (was) near perfect, yet we definitely have issues and some of those include communication style problems.  After 30 plus years, I thought that we had worked most of these issues through and had improved our communication skills, but apparently I was mistaken.  I can clearly see now that some of the communication cracks were just covered up with a tarp and this new path in our lives is causing the tarps to fall away.  Unfortunately, we are finding these cracks are still here in all their yucky glory and are just as wide as they were before!

In our typical dysfunctional style, I am siting here thinking of ways to extract revenge (I know - hard to believe from sweet little ole me!) and he has retreated to his corner and will either wait till things blow over on their own or will try to figure out how to apologize and get back into my good grace.  Most likely the immediate problem will be dealt with, but the underlying communication issue will still be here.  After all - these cracks have been here all these years thus far.  I suspect they are not going away very easily!

So, I feel ignored, disrespected, manipulated, unvalidated, hurt and of course, (deep breath) lets not forget angry! But, I will get over it soon, I always do!  Our marriage is not a one way street and I realize I play a big part in creating the communication cracks.  I also am well aware that right now, my husband is dealing with his own set of negative feelings to match mine.

But you know what? - I don't care!  I just want a punching bag - and his face is definitely going on it!!!