Parkinson's Disease Support Group

I don't about anyone else, but I do the same things I did before I had pd. I clean my house, laundry, shop, pay bills. go to meetings, church, have fun. I just pace myself like you said. Before I would clean the whole house at once. Now I do maybe two rooms a day. some days I do nothing but play on the computer and exercise. that is usually after I know the house is clean and there is food in the fridge. Life goes on hopefully so we do too. Live it as best you can. sass

I was diagnosed 8 years ago and since then I have travelled across the planet,bought a house,became a nanna to 5 children, had a house full of o/s visitors a couple of times, been to college and studied full time for twelve months, looked after my mum, lived alone, had a very difficult on again off again relationship, housesat on a property, traveled a lot in OZ,and just got a new part-time job. YES I'm getting a bit slower but no way am I giving in!! Besides the future looks great for us...Just get on with it and do Your best no-one elses.

Dear Northern Lass,

I do essentially the same things I've always done, bbefore I had PD. Just a little more of them, I read (about a booka week), I do counted cross stitch, and I use my computer a lot. Since I retired as a nurse, there reall isn't anything else I can do, except live my life to the fullest.

God Bless,
Lee

I lead the 'Bone Builders' excercise group with a friend who is a retired nurse for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteeer Program) . We take turns leading, the group works on balance and using weights to keep our bones strong. For the past 4 years I have been an active member of our local theatre group but when my meds needed to be changed I couldn't participate fully. At first, I read a lot of books to keep my mind off my health. Slowly, I discovered that I felt better when I walked regularly, worked with weights and participated in things that made me happy; being outside; working in the yard/garden; swimming; driving (locally only). I have started doing stuff I don't much like; cleaning; shopping; being in large groups. Hope this helps! I also want to say that I don't watch TV anywhere as much as I used to. (Sometimes I think my attention span has been affected)

Before my dx in 2002, I was able to take care of a family, my home, hold down a part-time job, (35 hrs/week), and work-out four days a week. As my disease progressed, I found I was not able to stay on top of things like I did before; fatigue started to set in, along with all the other symptoms associated with PD. Gradually you make adjustments and, believe me, I did not make them willingly. Realizing for the first time in my life that I needed to listen to what my body was telling me and that I could not push myself as I did in the past, I cut myself a break...I gave my body the rest it so greatly deserved in spite of the laundry that was piling up, the check book that needed balancing and the dirty dishes that needed washed. I learned that I could not let the little things in life upset me since PD and stress do not mix. This lead me to one of my hardest decisions....to leave work. My position was very time sensitive and, because of my work ethic and knowledge of the industry I was employed in, I got the "privilege" to work on all the problem cases. Always enjoying a challenge, this position was rewarding when my health was not compromised. Concentration and memory issues started to surface and there were times that I literally fell asleep at my desk. I eventually spoke to my employer when I felt my job was compromising my health. My boss was very understanding and accomodating allowing me to work flex time since mornings were rough for me. It has been 15 months since I resigned and, until SSI kicked in, it was tough living off of one paycheck but somehow we made it. Looking back now, I wish I would have stopped working sooner. I miss my co-workers terribly, but the stress and drama which breeds in an office environment is toxic. I still can basically do most things I did before, but it takes me a lot longer and the energy it takes to do these tasks is incredible. You have to learn to pace yourself, plan outings around your "on" times and to not beat yourself up if you can't accomplish the things you wanted....tomorrow is another day. The most important lesson I learned from PD is that it really is okay to ask for help.

I guess you could explore many things on the internet... Trace your family history, start a blog.. I love the internet.

I say take your medication, and just go for it, live like you lived before, without the diagnoses. Go on holidays .

You will adjust your life accordingly when you need to, but in the interim do as much as possible...

Cause there will be a cure :)