Kate
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I’m widowed, 72, live alone, have no children and no family in the immediate area but am blessed with a wonderful friends network. I live in a historic old log farmhouse in a rural area. For the time being I am living on the first floor in a MBR that has a full bath and laundry, so my present situation is like living in a single floor ranch. I love my house but I know I wull have to move on at some point, My PD seems to be progressing slowly in the five years since initial diagnosis. I have wonderful support services that I attend 3X per week (PT, OT, Cardio and Rock Steady Boxing}. I’ve looked at CCR age in place communities and the fees are truly scarey! As a retired RN/BSN/MSN I have a hard time making such a huge monetary commitment and believing that the CCR skilled nursing care will be as well run in future years when I really need it, as it is now. My house is paid off and is probably my cheapest cost of living option for the time being until I decide on an alternate residence. i
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Yes, I’ve accepted my diagnosis both emotionally and intellectually. There are far worse diseases, in my opinion AND we are only given the present moment to live. When I feel challenged I think of the high income financial services victims who worked in the World Trade Center on 9/11. They didn’t have Parkinson’s, they may have had a great deal of material wealth but they didn’t get to go home to their loved ones on that tragic day. Our attitude affects many outcomes in life and I decided to live my life as a role model for others, to be the example I want to see in others. I continue to advocate for PD patients, increase my knowledge and understanding of the disease, and “push the envelope” to challenge myself with new endeavors, particularly physical/athletic challenges such as 5K events, etc. Life is already too short: I decided to accept my diagnosis, adhere to my PT, OT and medication regimen and keep moving!
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Physical activity lessens my anxiety, also mindfulness meditation, I recently completed a mindfulness meditation class for PD where I learned to “quiet”my mind and thoughts. Very helpful!
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Jim:
Are you attending physical therapy to address balance problems? If not, look for a physical therapy service near you that you can go to for balance training. If you can find a physical therapy center that is familiar with PD movement and gait problemsm even better.
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Jim:
Mood changes as you describe it can be a common non-physical sympton with many PD people as I understand it, Especially depression, which can be linked to the “grumpiness” you describe. Accepting and dealing with PD can be very challenging and frustrating. Talk to your healthcare primary provider to see if medication, perhaps a mild anti-depressant might be appropriate. Also I have found exercise, especially walks outside in nature to be very beneficial for my moods. It’s free, requires little or no equipment, and can energize your entire body.
Kate
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I watch more TV than I used to. However, I try to limit my daily dosage of TV news since it tends to be depressing, I stick to old movies, or history, home improvement channels. I think it is important to remember that although many events may be out of our control, the TV remote, especially the “OFF” button is definitely within my control!