PARKINSON’S

The shaking palsy, kampavata , the shakes…

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet. So (Parkinson’s) would, were he not (Parkinson’s) call’d, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. (Parkinson’s), doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee, take all myself…

Romeo and Juliet – William Shakespeare

I have Parkinson’s Disease. And yes I know that’s a tulip and not a rose. Tulips are sort of a Parkinson’s thing…

What is Parkinson’s?

Well according to the interwebs it’s… a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Parkinson’s, to me, is God’s plan for my life and an endless reminder that this world is not my home.

What are your symptoms?

So the typical tremor for me happens sporadically, typically when I’m nervous, stressed, or very tired. The persistent symptoms I experience are pain, dizziness, slowed movement, and lack of motivation.

You’re in pain?

Yes.

The pain of muscle stiffness and the often random jolt of muscle cramps are endless. Imagine having the worst charlie-horse in your thigh, only instead of it being in a normal muscle like a thigh or calf muscle it’s in your eye-brow muscle. Pretty sure I didn’t over-exert that muscle somehow. The wildest thing is what happens with my toes. They seem to have a mind of their own.

How manageable are your symptoms?

Right now, they are very manageable.

The dizziness is pretty constant so I have learned how to cope with that one and my slowed movement helps with that–ha ha. The lack of motivation is a killer since I have smaller kids. Every time I have to do something, no matter how small the task, it is a war inside my mind to actually get moving. My concern is that my family not think it’s because I don’t want to do things with them. I will say that inertia is a two edged sword, when I’m going it’s easier to keep going.

What does the future hold?

You’re asking the wrong guy.

I have no idea. When I got my diagnosis I thought I’d be Michael J. Fox by now. I’m so profoundly grateful my progression is as slow as it has been. My family and I have adopted a simple family moto… Roll with it.