Mr. Parkinson Rides Again

Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind.
The goal is to find it. -Buddha

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated this blog as to my conflict with Parkinson’s disease. I say ‘conflict’ for every day is like fighting the dragon; win, lose or draw. Since I last wrote about PD, I’ve attended a 28-day clinical trial and moved to St.Augustine, Fl. which required me to find another neurologist. And since April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, this seems like a good precursor to next month’s activities.

The clinical trial tested an enhanced levodopa, one that could be taken once a day instead of three times a day which is the standard. I was all set to write about the trial but there was nothing to write about except my state of mind at being closed in from the things of this world, especially nature. Depression did visit me quite a few times. I am largely an introvert but social contact, when taken away even from an introvert, is not without its trepidations.

My routine for those 28 days consisted of taking the medication at prescribed times and then drawing  blood, checking vital signs 5 to 6 times a day and movement exercises. The highlight of my day was drawing blood and that’s saying a lot for me as I dislike needles and the site of blood especially if it’s my own.  

I moved to Florida right after the clinical trials were over and I found a neurologist whom I like. He immediately told me I was being undertreated and raised my medication levels. So I do feel good, even better since the rise in dosage although I still have intermittent days when I struggle a bit more than others. Still I’m blessed for without PD many of the people in my life at this time, I wouldn’t have met. And would not have found writing to be such a reliable and consistent companion.                        

About a week ago I clicked on the Facebook page of this blog. I inadvertently saw a segment on ABC News with Diane Sawyer about Parkinson’s. I only caught the tail end so I replayed it from the beginning and had to replay the video a couple of more times, so mesmerized I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Immediately I saw myself in the video as this could be me.

Please click on the link…

https://www.facebook.com/Robert.TanSB/videos/10153446178568621/   

The video shows a man being helped out of a hospital with the aid of a nurse. His hands with severe tremor as he walks hunched over, legs bending at the knees, not really walking, more like wobbling. At one point he falls as the assistant helps him back up. He makes his way to a bicycle where he’s  helped on, given a push as he rides off into the parking lot tremor free just as though he didn’t have PD. He even guides the bike and makes a u-turn.

Another man is sitting with severe tremor trying to write on an IPad, After a  50 mile tandem bike ride with his physician, he is tremor free and it last for days. Doctors believe that cycling may release a chemical that aids motor skills.     .

Sometimes the obvious solution to a problem is right in front of us. It isn’t a cure but it can alleviate some pain and suffering. Yes, there is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, but deeper than that, its sole purpose may just be for the plain fun and freedom it affords someone who’s had to live without these things. Hopefully, we never grow too smart that we can’t appreciate the simplicity in this…

©jc2016-9