Believe it or not, I never knew until recently that Parkinson’s disease had an awareness month. But I assure you that in the nearly 12 years since my diagnosis, I am aware of Parkinson’s in April — and every other month! Parkinson’s Awareness Month starts tomorrow, while…
I’m not the only person in my family to have experienced Parkinson’s disease. About 25 years ago, my maternal grandfather was diagnosed with it. His was a more typical diagnosis, coming in his 70s, unlike my diagnosis, which came in my 30s. I don’t remember many of…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation surgery. Not everyone will have the same response to the procedure. Consult your doctor before considering any particular therapy or treatment. Last in a series. Read parts one, two, and three. In part three of…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation surgery. Not everyone will have the same response to the procedure. Consult your doctor before considering any particular therapy or treatment. Third in a series. Read parts one and two. In part two of this series,…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation surgery. Not everyone will have the same response to the procedure. Consult your doctor before considering any particular therapy or treatment. Second in a series. Read part one. In last week’s column, I left off at the…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with deep brain stimulation surgery. Not everyone will have the same response to the procedure. Consult your doctor before considering any particular therapy or treatment. First in a series. You know how people say “It’s not like it’s brain surgery” about something…
One common but frustrating symptom of Parkinson’s disease is what’s known as “off periods.” These happen when medication, such as Sinemet (carbidopa and levodopa), wear off — sometimes suddenly — and other Parkinson’s symptoms that had been under control show up again or get worse. During off periods, you…
I read an article this year on Parkinson’s News Today about a recent study on how men and women differ in their approaches to the decision to undergo deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to treat Parkinson’s disease. Having decided to have DBS surgery in 2019, I found the…
Earlier this month, on Jan. 17, we celebrated the 83rd anniversary of boxer Muhammad Ali’s birth. Ali remains a towering figure worldwide, even years after his death in 2016 at the age of 74. He was a fighter both by occupation and in spirit. He stood up for peace and…
The word “fine” can mean many things, from superb to satisfactory to precise, and even delicate, depending on its usage. Merriam-Webster also lists its synonyms, which include acceptable, decent, middling, and passable. When I look at these words, “fine” seems to cover many conditions. That’s why it’s a handy word…
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