Saying Goodbye to ‘Journeying Through Parkinson’s Disease’
How do I start this? What do I say?
A few years after I was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, I went to my movement disorder specialist for my routine, three-month checkup. We chatted for a while and then he brought up the subject of work. How was I doing, as I continued to work and deal with this disease at the same time? Was I still enjoying my job?
I told him that I was doing OK but that I was exhausted when I returned home each day. He asked how things were going at home. I told him that I usually went to bed once I walked in. I didn’t see my family much due to being so tired. He then told me that after observing me the past few months, he felt it was time for me to begin considering going on social security disability insurance (SSDI). I wasn’t ready for that step. He left the suggestion in my lap to ponder until my next visit, when we would revisit the subject again.
It was within those next couple of months that I came home one evening from work, tired as usual and in a lot of pain. I went into the living room, so as not to wake anyone. I sat there on the couch, tears trickling down my cheeks. I was ready to let go of my pride. It was then and there that I made my decision to quit my job and see if I qualified for SSDI.
Well, it seems another milestone has placed itself in the pathway of my journey — a milestone known as s-t-r-e-s-s. Hard as I try, I cannot sit down and write a column without having a stress flare. I’m closing my column and saying goodbye.
I’ve appreciated all of the encouragement and uplifting comments you all have left me, to cheer me up and guide me on.
If you’d like to keep up with my life on my blog, you can do so at Parkinson’s Journey. You can also email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.
This week marks my 307th column since I first started writing for Parkinson’s News Today in June 2017. It has been pure joy to have had this experience with you. I leave you with two columns you seemed to enjoy most, based on your interaction, the comments left, and the average star rating.
And my two favorites?
- What Every Parkinson’s Patient Needs to Know About Haloperidol
- Which Wolf Will Win in Our Struggle with Parkinson’s?
Thanks for your support and encouragement. I have appreciated it more than you’ll know.
Journeying with you always,
Sherri
***
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
About the Author
Comments
Corrie Trattner
Dear Sherri,
Needless to say, I'm sad to see that you are discontinuing your post, but I can certainly understand your needing to save all of your emotional energy for your own well being and to be present in order to enjoy your family.
I was a care-partner to my husband of almost 44 years up until 7 weeks ago when he passed from the Parkinson's world into the next world beyond. It was on March 6, 2021, 6 weeks before our 44th wedding anniversary. There were many times that I read your posts and even printed out several of them. I can't tell you how helpful they were in explaining the PWP's feelings, especially when my husband was never very articulate about such matters. As the disease progressed along with his failing body and gradually ensuing dementia, he was even less capable of expressing himself. Yet, the sweet man that I had married was still there even until his last few days when he attempted to throw kisses to family members over the phone as we made our last few connections.
I must confess that there were times when I wished you had discussed the caregiver's feelings instead, as the caregivers feel just as much pain and loss as the PWP only in a different manner. Still your heartfelt disclosures provided all of us, PWP and caregivers alike with much knowledge, honesty, encouragement, and inspiration. For all of this, I can't thank you enough.
Thank you for leaving us with "8 Things Caregivers Need," with I just finished reading and hopefully printed successfully, if my printer behaved itself this time. Definitely as truthful and heartfelt as all of your postings. At some point, hopefully sooner rather than later, I hope that I will be able to offer help to caregivers of PWP that certainly will have been initiated by your shining example.
Sending you healing vibes for not only good health, but also for quality of life as you enter this next chapter enjoying your family, grandchildren, people and things that you love.
With deep gratitude,
Corrie, Ed.D., OTR/L and carepartner to her husband
who had Parkinson's
Jim Skylis
I will miss your articles Sherri. Thank you for sharing your life with Parkinson's.
Sherri Woodbridge
Thank you, Jim. You can follow my blog at parkinsonsjourney.com , where I will be writing more regularly, once again. Thanks for support and encouragement.
Marianne Gooding
Best of luck to you, Sherri. I have truly enjoyed your columns as a caregiver for my husband who has Parkinson's. Take care of yourself, and thank you for sharing.
Sherri Woodbridge
Thank you, Marianne.
John Sines
Thanks Sherri for sharing your PD journey. Best of luck on the remaining journey!
Sherri Woodbridge
Thank you, John.
SB
Dear Sherri,
That's a very sad note of farewell.
I regularly turned to your blog for uplifting and strength - in my own battle against this insidious disease.
Take care - you will be missed.
SB
Sherri Woodbridge
Thank you SB for your note of encouragement. I will be back at my blog more regularly once again, if you care to catch me there: parkinsonsjourney.com
Kathy
My husband was doing the same, coming home exhausted and falling asleep almost immediately after supper, if not before, but then struggling to sleep through the night. Something has been going right for a while now though as he rarely comes home exhausted and is sleeping well most nights. Started him on superbeets, switched to extended release carbidopa-levodopa at bedtime along with a fast-dissolve 10 mg Melatonin, and started on a magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) supplement. Really don’t know which has helped as the superbeets is to help energy levels, while the magtein (magnesium that crosses the blood-brain barrier) is to help sleep and, in doing so, help daytime energy, while that extended release carbidopa-levodopa has seemed to control his tremor well at night. The melatonin not only helps with sleep, but reduces inflammation. Hoping you find something to help overcome your exhaustion.