Day By Day Adventures Of The PD Warrior

Excellent Article

For anyone interested in learning more about Parkinson’s Disease, here is a link to a very well written article called “The Neglected Side Of Parkinson’s Disease.” Unlike the piece that sparked so much sarcasm in my last post, this one is concise, and informative - well worth a look. The concepts presented are not necessarily new, but they are explained in a way that is both enlightening and easy to follow. Best of all, specific studies are referenced to back up the information being relayed, complete with links to the information and a bibliography.

See, I’m not always sarcastic…

Do Ya Think So?

Please forgive the sarcasm, but their are days when I seriously have to question why it is that some of the worlds smartest people - be they scientists, doctors, professors, or what have you - are so capable of being downright stupid despite their brilliance.

Case in point: I often spend quiet time in the mornings or late evenings searching the WEB, looking for new research/information on PD. Frequently the information I find is nothing more than old news that has been rewritten as if newly discovered, or is of such questionable quality that I quickly disregard the information. Today however, I was filled with hope of something new when I discovered an article titled “Study calls for focus on mental effects of Parkinson’s.”

Having recently experienced some of these “effects” on an all too personal level, I thought the piece might make for some interesting reading.

So much for that idea…

Instead of an informational article, what I found was a few paragraph’s stating that psychological/psychosocial functioning of people with PD varies from person to person according to the severity of the disease, correlating with the “emotional status of the individual.”

Hmmm…I might have to ponder the significance of that startling revelation before formulating a response worthy enough in magnitude…no, wait…I think I have it…

DO YA REALLY THINK SO !?!

I mean, who wold have thunk it? A disease that can potentially strip away an individual’s ability to perform simple every day tasks such as eating , drinking, walking, talking, and getting dressed might have a few social social ramifications that would effect a person emotionally?

I would have never guessed…

Then, they didn’t even bother to discuss any part of it. They just said the results of the research will be published at a later date. I wonder how much they spent on that study?

Bidding A Fond Farewell to Momma

Sadly, famed actress Estelle Getty passed away Tuesday morning, July 22, 2008. Best known for her role as Bea Arthur’s mother “Sophia” on the TV sitcom “The Golden Girls” Estelle brought smiles to millions through out her life. Besides her part in The Golden Girls, she also acted in numerous movies throughout her career, most notably playing the part of Sylvester Stallone’s mother in the film Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot!

In 2000, Estelle stopped making public appearances, stating that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Shortly thereafter she also announced that she had Alzheimer’s.

On a side note, Wikipedia states that both her diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s were incorrect, and that she really suffered from Lewy Body Dementia. While I am not a doctor, nor do I have (or want) access to Estelle Getty’s medical records, I do wish to bring up the fact that Lewy Body Dementia is the form of dementia most often associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and that some studies say over 50% of people with PD also have Parkinson’s Disease Dementia.

You’re going to do what?

Before PD I was never one to sit around, taking what ever life dealt to me; if there was a challenge to be risen to, I was the one who rose to it. I didn’t care if the odds were a million to one against me, I had too much stubborn pride to give in without a fight.

That was then…this is now.

For the last several months I have had some rather serious set backs with my PD - basically the meds I was taking for the disease were beginning to scramble my mind, delivering what I initially perceived as a knockout blow (see the post “Mr. Potato Head - Is this really happening to me?”)

I gave up. If PD was my enemy, Mr. Depression was fast becoming my best friend, soothing me with the numbing coldness of his touch as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder, whispering words in my ear in a language only someone who has an intimate personal relationship with depression can truly understand.
The problem is, I was looking at the whole situation totally back-ass-wards. Although PD is not my friend, it is not my enemy either. It is merely a situation I have to cope with, an obnoxious passenger riding the same bus that I am on. As for Mr. Depression, well…thankfully I came to my senses and saw him for the con-man he is, the liar he has always been.

The key point anyone with PD, or anyone close to someone with PD needs to remember, is the fact that we are not alone. There are millions of people going along for the very same ride. When it comes to PD, we have two major decisions that we need to make:

1. How are we going to treat the disease - there are many, many different medicines and techniques available to chose from, and what works for one person might not work for the next. This is the hardest decision by far, that we will have to make, if for no other reason than we will have to make it many times over along the way.
2. Are we going to just sit back- complaining about every little bump in the road, getting bored out of our minds as we watch the scenery passing by out the window? Or are we going to take the wheel and drive the bus ourselves?

Personally, I prefer to take the wheel. I may end up driving the wrong way down a one way street a time or two, but I will certainly enjoy the ride, especially as I look back in the rear view mirror and see the look of terror on PD’s face as he hangs on for dear life…

With that in mind, I am going to begin providing links to blogs, news clips, stories about people with PD, or those who have been affected by people with PD who have also chosen to drive their own bus, doing the unexpected, or perhaps even the impossible. The links, and/or excerpts will be given their own page (at the top of the blog) entitled “You’re doing what?!?”

So, sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride!

Please remember, however, if your driving the bus it might be fun to hit the gas, but sometimes you might need to use the brakes too.

Please look for the first post on the new page tomorrow.