Perspective is Everything, Hallelujah!

Cheryl Wirtley4 Comments

Good friends are priceless.   I talk with one of  my  best friends at least once a week.  He has Parkinson’s.  We help each other not only through our journey in life, but our journey through Parkinson’s.  

A month or so ago, he said he might have cancer.  The doctors are running more tests. During his nap time (which is sacred time for him) my friend called and said he spoke with the doctor. Good News!  NO CHEMO, NO CANCER!  HALLELUJAH!  He and his wife were so happy and so am I!  What great news!  He laughed and said now he “only” has to deal with Parkinson’s. He was grateful.  Seems strange to be grateful for Parkinson’s.  I laughed and said it is hilarious to be grateful that you “only” have Parkinson’s.  We laughed together while sharing the common knowledge of living with Parkinson’s. I am grateful for him. Today’s thoughts are to be grateful for every day and thankful for Parkinson’s. Perspective is everything.

Relax and just Sleep

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Parkinson’s can bring many different symptoms in the body. One of my recent challenges is sleep. Sleep does not come easily to me or  many people with Parkinson’s. There are a variety of methods to help you prepare for sleep. One method requires that you do not view any computer or television screen two hours before bed time. I have some internal resistance towards these methods.  I want to complete tasks before bed, lay my head down and sleep.  That’s been my habit for years. I am discovering that relaxation before bed time is critical. Washing dishes or putting away laundry is not relaxing. Taking a bath, doing a jigsaw puzzle, reading  or journaling relaxes me. No television or cell phone 1-2 hours before I lay down to sleep.  I will confess, no screens two hours before bed is not always achievable.

After resisting this change for quite some time, I’ve finally started relaxing before going to sleep. It is not a terrible thing to begin relaxing before bed time. I sleep much better now. It’s not totally perfect and I get up way too early. This is definitely an improvement. So yeah, that’s a win! 

Exercise: It feels so good

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One of the things you learn early on is that exercise and movement slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Exercise is so important to anyone who has Parkinson’s.  I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to slow down Parkinson’s. Exercise is key and showing up to exercise is step number 1.   I started working out shortly after being diagnosed.  I started small with strength training and the treadmill.  As I got stronger,  I included Zumba, and cardio kickboxing.  I learned that I love to exercise.  I loved the physical challenge. I loved having the ability to work out and  felt grateful for that ability.  I loved the fatigue from a job well done.     I loved the way my body looked and felt, especially after routinely exercising.    Exercise made me feel so wonderful! 

I got side tracked from exercise last year due to a long illness. I  bounced back and am exercising again.   I currently walk about 1.5 miles.  My personal goals include acquiring a variety of exercises, such as walking, elliptical, strength training and yoga.  My goal is to work out 1-2 hours daily.  A friend of mine works out 10 hours weekly.  That is now my personal goal; workout 10 hours a week.  

I will be sharing exercises and tips through this blog.  I watch and use a lot of videos and have found many wonderful exercises to share.  Today’s tip is to raise your arms straight up above your head.  Move your shoulder blades back, just a little.  Stretch! Then, stretch side to side.

Tell me how good that feels!  Do that any time you like. 

Word of the Week: Acceptance

Cheryl Wirtley2 Comments

Acceptance is my word of the week.  As we grow older, we need to accept more and more.  More circumstances. More symptoms.    Non-acceptance will bring you misery.  Parkinson’s symptoms come and go.  Some may stay with you forever.  Some will be temporary.  There are times when I find it hard to accept a new symptom.  It’s especially hard, if this symptom makes you uncomfortable or brings pain.   Parkinson’s is complicated and it’s difficult to understand all of its symptoms.  Sometimes, it makes sense why the new manifestation of something physical is happening to your body.  Other times, it is baffling.  

When I was first diagnosed, I had a tremor in my right hand.  I thought that would be the end of it.  I thought medication would make everything alright.  I was wrong.   As I write this, I realize  acceptance is not stagnant.  You must accept yourself as you are and move on.  Parkinson’s may push you, further than you wanted to go.  However, you will grow.   If  you learn to accept things that are hard, things that you do not want to accept, you will find a quiet serenity.    To find peace and harmony you must accept what Parkinson’s brings you. Accept yourself for who you are today.   Not yesterday, or tomorrow. Accept yourself as you are today.   

The Beginning

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My story begins in 2013, as a Librarian, managing a medium size branch for the Dayton Metro Library.

I was enjoying my job. My health was stable. My husband and I were doing well. We were two people living in a 5 bedroom house (we don’t have children) and we were not using all the space, so I felt a strong need to build a smaller house. At the same time the library began a construction remodel project at my branch. Both projects started at the same time and it was a lot of fun. 

Then it happened. My arm started shaking.  I did not think too much of it.  I observed that it got worse when I was stressed.  There was one person who stressed me out every time I saw him.  We’ll call him Daniel. Every time I was near Daniel, my arm would shake like crazy. He definitely stressed me out. I thought my shaking arm was caused by stress.

Two building projects at one time put a lot of pressure on me. So, I was stressed and my arm was shaking.  I was in denial that anything could be wrong.  As my arm shaking increased, I lost some of my functional skills. I had trouble cutting food,  writing, or holding anything with my right arm. I had people cut my steak for me and my staff did all the handwriting.   Even typing was becoming difficult. I ignored the symptoms until I could not. Clearly something was wrong.  

I went to a neurologist who diagnosed me with Parkinson’s.  I asked What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

Mayo Clinic

I am still trying to understand how Parkinson’s affects me and others.  It is complicated.  In this blog,  I will be writing about my experiences and lessons I’ve learned.  I may tell a story or share some resources about Parkinson’s.  I hope you will follow my blog and share in the journey.