At long last

At long last another blog entry! I recovered from that broken rib though it took a while. In the meantime, I apparently used the other wide of my body too much (my left side) because it now seems I have what is probably tendonitis in my left shoulder. I am doing exercises and stretches for it, but probably should call the doctor. Ho- hum! It is always something!

My PD goes on as usual. Not substantially better, but not substantially worse. I really should write here at least once a week to keep me accountable in my exercising. I am sort of up to my ears in PD-related responsibilities right now. I started a new support group because I saw a need for one. And I have another P2P program coming up. And I have applied to be on the People with Parkinson's Advisory Council for the Parkinson Foundation.  Wow! That would be something!

A setback

There are setback and then there are setbacks. Five days ago, when in the process of proactively addressing my PD with exercise -- exercise which by the way was earlier in the week announced to have been proven to slow the progression of PD-- I tripped on a loop of cord  that was loose on the side of a boxing ring, fell backward, hit my back on the metal pole that was behind me and broke a rib. All I can say is ... bummer! Oh, and tomorrow is a new day.

My rehab instructor has been most helpful, assuring me that if anyone can bounce back from an injury with no long-term effects, it is I. Let us hope he is correct. 

We all need a buddy

I have been matched with a buddy for the World Parkinson Congress. We all need a buddy at many points in our lives. My husband is a buddy; my friends are each buddies for certain times and certain activities. I need a buddy to help me balance at the gym. I need a buddy to eat ice cream with me. This life is difficult enough that we should not go it alone.

So if you feel like you are fighting your battles all by yourself, do something and find a buddy. (In keeping with my policy of not naming the people I write about, I won't tell you my buddy's name, but I will let you know what kind of buddies we get to be.)

Breaking another silence

Here I am again apologizing for a long period of silence. Yet once again it is because things are fairly stable. I had my check-up with my neurologist yesterday and she found all my symptoms and problems totally stable. She did not see (though I did report) an increase in dyskinesia. I had evaluated myself before the appointment and realized that dyskinesia was my only substantive complaint. Based on my personal research it appears that my choice is between taking a smaller dose of Sinemet more frequently (which reduces dyskinesias substantially) or continuing with the dosing prescribed (which gives me dyskinesias when I am inactive at peak dose). The smaller dose, however, wears off sooner and does not take effect as well. So would I rather be dyskinetic or "off" my meds? I would rather be dyskinetic. This decision puts me at peace with my dyskinetic self. The dyskinesias are not constant and do not harm anyone or anything. So now that I have made that selection, I am more accepting of the results.

P.S. If you don't know what dyskinesias are, look at Michael J. Fox. Those writhing, wobbly movements are a side effect of the medication we all take for Parkinson's.