In The Beginning

I thought only my family knew that I have Parkinson’s until a few days ago when I reluctantly told a friend and quickly asked her not to tell anyone. But everyone knows she said. How do they know? It’s obvious was her reply. We looked at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing.

The hardest part of writing is getting the first words down just as it has been hard to tell people that I have Parkinson’s. Harder still is to fully admit the implications of the disease to myself and my future. Here goes.

Parkinson’s is brutal. It is with me every minute of the day, affects every move I make and colors almost all my thoughts. I was diagnosed just over three years ago. (Two PWP talking often begin with when they were diagnosed which is different from how long they had the disease.) Restless Leg Syndrome brought me to the doctor. I couldn’t lie in bed at night. My legs were jumping up trying to run around the room with me chasing after them and escorting them back to bed and try to sleep only to immediately bounce back up again. What’s going on here? Will electricity shoot through me and I not sleep for the rest of my life? It took two days to get an appointment with my GP and then three more long weeks to see the neurologist who matter of factly said I told you last year that you have Parkinson’s and to see me if it gets worse. No you didn’t. Yes I did and take three of these a day and let me know if you hallucinate. What … wait I’m almost 70 years old and have enough trouble with reality. I don’t want to hallucinate. I take one at night and miracle of miracles it mostly takes care of the RLS and also induces sleep.

So go my little effort into the world and should you read it know I tried my best and that these are my thoughts at this time and I speak only for myself.

PD BLUES

  I finally found a teacher I can’t ignore

Professor Parkinson’s came knocking at my front door 

Hands started shaking, body began to ache

Doctor said here’s a pill I want you to take

Lost my appetite didn’t want to eat

Started moving like I had two left feet

Went back to the doctor got another pill

Doctor said don’t forget to pay your bill

Sinemet, Mirapex, Azilect too

These are the pills I prescribe for you

These are the bad boys I want you to take

Forgot to tell me I’d hallucinate 

Doctor oh doctor gives me the news

Doctor said you’ve got the PD blues

Decided to sing, decided to dance

Realized life is worth taking a chance

So I picked myself up off the floor

And marched the Professor back out the door.