Oct 2018, Parkinson's Update

October 2018
Roger’s Parkinson’s Disease update.

SPILLING THE BEANS!
I’ve managed to stay physically active, and feeling pretty healthy, up until this past summer. My day which was usually full of activity, slowed down quite a bit.

Playing with the dog, gardening, keeping up on the house maintenance, building something in the shop, visiting geezers, and learning something new, somehow slowed to trying to stay cool, catching up on sleep, watching the grass brown up, watching videos, and watching my grandson. Everything seemed to suck the energy out of me, my couch was becoming all to comfortable.

Parkinson’s disease is “progressively degenerative”, and while I’ve never liked that phrase, it is quite accurate. The medications that I currently take, to control my muscle movements, are no longer covering me during the day, and as such, the muscles in my stomach, no longer move food, and pills, along like their supposed to. So I end up with either too much, or not enough, medicine that makes it into my body.

I hope the answer is Duopa. It’s the same medicine I’m taking orally now, but in a gel solution that gets pumped into my stomach via a J-Peg tube inserted into my small intestine. The tube is going take some getting used to, as is maintaining and carrying the pump, but I hope to make friends with it quickly. I’m pretty hopeful that this will work, but it's going to take a few weeks of patience during the adjusting phase. November 6th is tube placement day, and November 13th is turn the pump on day.

LIFE’S LESSONS
Looking back at it now, the little “gives”, or losses due to Parkinson’s, added up to something pretty substantial when seen over time. The “gives” were not conscious, but they were steps away from where I would have liked to have stayed... just a little while longer.

There are some “gives” that I don’t miss.
I no longer try to control my day, my feelings, or my Parkinson’s symptoms.
I no longer fight with myself to keep still, not cry, or take a nap.

There are some “gives” that I miss so very dearly.
I miss sleeping with my wife, due to chronic insomnia, or my need to move all night.
I miss going out for a romantic evening dinner with my wife.
I miss being spontaneous, doing something, or going somewhere, right now!
I really miss working, for someone else, or myself for that matter.
I miss staying “ON”, or at least awake, when family comes over for dinner, or when I’m watching my grandson.
I miss reading, writing with a pen, and typing, all are becoming quite the challenge

I do have plans to get back in the shop. I do have loads of ideas and things I want to make, learn, and do. I do have stories I want to read, and stories I want to write. I do have friends I want to see, and friends I have yet to make. I am looking forward to doing, making, and being, for quite some time to go.

I look at things a bit differently now.

When I do something, I know this may be the last time I get to do it, so I’m going to do it big!
When I make something, I know this may be the last time I get to make something, so I’m going to make it nice, strong, and good.
When I hug someone, I may never get to hug them again, so I’m going to hug them like I mean it.
When I say something, it may be the last time I get to say anything, so I won’t be hurtful, mean, or rough.
When I smile, it may be the last smile I give, so I’m going to smile big and long, and just for you.

When I say “Peace”, I mean may the easiest feeling of warmth, comfort, and compassion, bathe and refresh your mind, and spirit.

Peace to you all.
Campy Out!

www.stuckshakey.com updated with projects from 2017!

Well, here's the 2017 project update.


http://www.stuckshakey.com/the-blog/looking-back-at-2017


Campy Out!