Crystal Belle
Forum Replies Created
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Ally, I’m glad you enjoyed that. I’ve had an interesting life, and it’s not over until God says it’s over. Of course, had I known I’d be needing this body this long I would have treated it better. Nobody knows what tomorrow holds so we live it one day at a time. Hopefully, I’ll be on the meds to help these PD symptoms soon, and they could carry us until a cure is found! I’m ready to start, but must finish with the cardiologist first, to make sure my heart valve, which I was born with defective, isn’t involved. In other words, let him get his slice of the pie until November. Hopefully then my GP will be ready to treat my PD. I’m tired, but not giving up.
There has been beautiful sunshine here today at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Great weather for October. 😉 -
Ally, I do still miss working. I worked in auto parts, of all things lol! Started as a cashier in 1990, soon learned raises and promotions would come from behind the parts counter, so asked to be moved. My boss said, “your job is to just smile, look pretty and take the customers money”. Challenge accepted. I bet him that I could sell more parts within a week than he could or I’d serve him coffee every morning for a week. He laughed and said if you can do that, which you can’t, I’ll bring you breakfast for a week. We shook hands on it, I won. It was rough at first in the south, although my dad worked on cars in WV and I grew up a tomboy. But when a guy boldly said: nothing personal, but I prefer a man get my parts for me. Then I replied in the crowded store with a smile: no problem! This is the 20th century so your sexual preference is your business. Could I help someone else? Men started laughing and saying ME! ME! That broke the ice. That was at Advance Auto Parts, but I spent most of my automotive career with Autozone as a Commercial Specialist after being a Manager there. It was a M-F. In the year of 2000 I was in a car wreck. An off duty local cop ran a red light wiping me out. Unfortunately I was wearing a seatbelt, so it didn’t do my spine any favors. 😉 I managed to go back to work until 2004.
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Thank you Jean, but all is well. Except I tried to edit my previous post to Ally and made a double post LoL!?? Would you or she please delete the first one? You see? Give me one good day, and the shenanigans begin! Haha!
You and Ally are both treasures whom I hope are doing well today. You truly are appreciated. -
Ally, to get back on topic, I’ve experienced a new level of pain with my PD, although arthritis took me out of work in 2004. Yes, I do experience pain from my PD, as it is completely different. Being coupled with the other, survival has become more complicated while remaining doable. I admit that now there are some days I don’t greet the world with a smile so these are the days I hibernate, awaiting it to ease back into doable. Today I’m all smiles. Thank you for the support. I think we with PD do need each other’s prayers, especially on those days. That’s what make this place so important.
God bless you and Jean for providing it. -
Hello Ladies;
The sunshine is beaming down nicely here today. Someone told me recently that I’m not accepting my limitations and she is correct lol. Living alone, that would mean to curl up and starve so I’m definitely not. 😉 Today I have carried out the trash and taken the can to the curb after treating my family to a spaghetti dinner last evening. This was my son’s first weekend off since the flooding began, so today he’s back to working 7am to 9pm daily for the DOT. They took the weekend off bc they finished our county, although they’ve also been out of town often working 7 days a week. Thank you ladies for being here for me during a stressful month.
Sincerely;
Crystal -
Hello Ally; It’s nice to meet you. I appreciate you and Jean very much. There has been much flooding in NC but we’ve been fortunate in this neighborhood. Water did get under my house and flood out the thermostat on my water heater again due to bad drainage in this city. Having arthritis also, the rain has put me behind on much, affecting my mobility. There is a little sunshine today so I’m hopeful. Living in the central part of the state, my house escaped the worst of Florence. It has still slowed me down physically unfortunately ie: one step forward and three steps back. Now, it is time for me to brave the shower bc the warm water helps, once I get through the process.
It’s nice and quiet out there today; no thunder, rain, etc. peaceful Sunday.
Thank you for communicating.
Sincerely;
Crystal -
Beautiful idea! Haha! Pain sucks, but is a part of life that can’t be avoided. To be young and carefree is only for those who are young and carefree. We can cry about our pain or play with it, giving it the thumping it deserves I think. I like your style. Thank you for sharing it.
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Absotively right! My pity party is over and I apologize for bringing it aboard lol. I am blessed beyond measure with a peaceful life. I worked hard for it and made a conscious choice to live alone without drama and have enjoyed it. Life in this world can not be completely without pain and problems or this would be heaven. Yes, we choose our devils, then say let’s dance. Or we whine as I have been. The dance began today. Thank you for your patience with my panic attack. I am back, and my head is back in the ring ready to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. 🙂
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Even so, I want to Thank You Jean, for being here for me while I’ve been going through my acceptance stage, or panic if you will, LoL. You are a Godsend my friend.
My panic is over and acceptance has set in. Time to grab this bull by the horns and say; Let’s dance. Every time I stumble, that is the first step of a new dance now. That’s the first new rule. Plot twist lol. Have a blessed Tuesday.
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Probably. But you are the same strong independent woman that walked through that fire and came out on the other side. I admit I didn’t walk through that alone either. We’ve got this,it doesn’t have us.
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Maybe it’s like medications; good for some, bad for others. No there are never any easy answer. I agree.
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Jean I haven’t had a massage in several years. The kids bought one for Mother’s Day one year and I loved it! Unfortunately I’m on SSD and Medicare living alone. I’ve enjoyed my serenity for decades and am paying dearly now lol. It was great when I was working and financing myself 100% of just enough. But arthritis took me out in 2004, wages went up with the cost of living and my income hasn’t much. I earned my raises under the 3.35 minimum wage, so did well then. SSD was 60% of my best 3 years. This past January I got a $20 per month raise, the first in 3 years and the largest in several. I’m probably preaching to the choir haha. But no, I don’t get massages. I asked my PT today if they had me set up for an occupational therapist bc I almost fell in the shower. He said I’m listed for one but it’s not scheduled yet, he’d check into it. Tremors hit me in there, and you understand the weakness. Fortunately I have a handrail. I know I’m talking very personal, but I’ve never felt so desperate. Yes, this is my new life. Vision staying blurred, reminding myself to blink, etc. Hopefully she will start some meds when I see her on the 30th.
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I am not on the meds yet but do suffer the hair loss. I learned recently that Head and Shoulders with zinc helps. Tried it and sure enough, from the first time, no fingers full of hair coming out in the shower! She said this seems to work for women only, not men for some reason. It worked for me, so thought I’d share. Good luck! ?
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Jean, my right side has been hit by my PD unfortunately. I wish it had joined my arthritis in my left hip and leg so I’d still have a good side. Yes, I do experience pain, different from the arthritis pain bc there is more stiffness and numbness involved, numbing my right foot as I walk at this point, moving up my leg, becoming stiff. I know now to find a seat (or restroom) quickly, before the numbness goes higher. This is where I am now, but no medication yet. Hopefully soon. The pain in my right hip, which didn’t hurt, is more severe than in my left hip at this time. It’s as though my good side went to the dark side.
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Thank you Jean. I enjoyed reading your column. I’m not the only one with that defiant fire. I may have PD but it will not have me. This is going to stay my mindset throughout this journey just as when I had cancer in 1997. Yet I can never agree with whoever said what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger lol. Must have been referring to heart sleeve stuff I suppose. 😉
Have a great week ahead. -
I applaud you both as a noob still in survival mode at this time. My PT is coming by twice weekly, getting little from me at this time despite my strongest efforts. I’ve had osteoarthritis and disc degeneration that took me out of work in 2004, then Subclavian Steal Syndrome since 2012 so the PD has been late diagnosed after slow movements became stopped. Vascular surgery didn’t return my eye blinks either, but did return use of my left arm along with pulse and BP. Very successful at saving my life. Once this PD is mastered, I will be able to exercise I suspect. For now, we are getting my legs in motion for more than 7 steps without going stiff and numb. Is this common at the onset of PD before medications? I have to remind myself to blink and use eye drops for moisture, as I have for a few years. But the PD was just diagnosed.
Looking forward to getting back on an exercise program as I’m a small woman who has always been active and DID keep my house in order. Now? Haha
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Hi Jean and Connie;
It’s almost 1:30am where I am. Haven’t started any PD meds yet as I’ve been on meds for my arthritis since it retired me in 2004, hiding this diagnosis I think. Been through many scans lately and will see a cardiology next month for my tachycardia, which I’ve had since childhood. Worked in automotive 20 years so avoided a cardiologist, bc I know I have a valve that sticks open and was a workaholic for personal reasons. Hopefully he will give her the go ahead to treat my PD, as my fatigue and stiff legs have me almost immobilized now. Sorry you’re both dealing with this too, but nice to meet you. I’m reaching out tonight.
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I miss being able to get in my car and go get groceries and supplies. Not on medications yet, live alone, so had to call my ex husband to drive me to appointments and to the store. My legs aren’t working long enough now, so am making a list and giving him a check from my checkbook this time. My vision, legs and hands aren’t working together enough for me to remain independent. A PT come twice weekly, I’m exercising, but he said it will get worse?
I miss cleaning my house, as it’s getting bad.
I miss being myself.
I miss being fearless most of all. This is all new to me.