Columns

Stressed. This is what my thesaurus had to say: “To ‘stress’ is to emphasize.” Emphasize what? The fact that your life is out of control? The fact that you’re not handling things well? Being “under stress” means that these two elements are wearing on you — being…

There are three words in the English language that many people with Parkinson’s disease would rather not hear. Three little words. Three little words that can drive a person crazy. Three little words that can cause a person to feel desperate. Three little words that can destroy because…

Sitting in the neurologist’s office, my questions usually get answered, my fears often get calmed, my symptoms often are addressed. However, I sometimes wonder how my husband feels sitting there, listening in, adding his two cents worth. How does he feel about what he sees happening to me…

Second in a series. Read part one here. In my last column, I shared about grandparenting with Parkinson’s disease. Today, I will give you concrete ways to have a blast with your grandkids (or young kids) without losing your mind or your strength because of Parkinson’s.

You’ll soon be blessed with your first grandchild. The news brings joy to your ears and puts a spring in your step, until you begin to reevaluate: You have Parkinson’s disease. Will you prove to be of no use? Will you be a burden? A bother? Just in…

I don’t feel very good. My stomach feels nauseous because my head hurts. My head hurts because I can’t stop grinding my teeth, which only adds to the stiffness in my neck, which makes my back hurt more, which makes me want to yell, “ENOUGH ALREADY!” But ……

I once heard a story about how we make plans for our lives, only to have them overturned. Kind of like planning to take a trip around the world and somehow you end up at the North Pole. This is my version of that story ……

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Mirapex, the “golden” treatment for Parkinson’s disease, and the negative effects it can have. Another example of a treatment that people with Parkinson’s need to be aware of is Haldol (haloperidol), an antipsychotic commonly used in hospital settings to treat…

When you’ve been blessed with the companionship of the Little Monster, as we so familiarly and unaffectionately call Parkinson’s disease, you may get tense and tight at the mere mention of PD. For some with Parkinson’s, perhaps you haven’t experienced much stiffness. Maybe no pain. Maybe lots. Whether…

I had a shower this morning, then proceeded to get dressed. I pulled on the blue pants I wear when volunteering at the hospital once a week at an adult day care program. The participants have conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, and more.