Cry for help
On February 9, 2010 I got the following E-mail from a couple in U.K.
“Dear Sir.
My wife, who is 83 years of age has just ( today ) after having a CAT scan been confirmed as having Parkinson’s disease,
She is now waiting to see the consultant neurologist and so far we have no idea what treatment is available or what, if anything ,we can do to help can you help with some information or advice.
We would be most grateful for any help/advice you would like to give.
Sincerely/TJ
Due to the situation I descided to write quite a long answer, which you find below.
Answer from MasterParkinson, February 20, 2010
Dear friend!
Thank you for showing me the honour of being asked for, as an advisor in such a personal and important matter!
To start with. Take it with as much calmness and optimism you are able to create/gather. You have probably quite a lot of experience from a long life!
At the same time you shall remember that it’s important that you allow the shock/sorrow etc. to have its time. One must allow it to hurt and accept the “pain”.
We have as so many times in life, a paradox. As In tell you to be optimistic and at the same time let the sorrow work out!
Let us go back to my first point. To put oneself together and:
- concentrate on the possibilities
- focus on all the things you can do
- look after all the opportunities you have.
Not easy to start with but fully within your capability. I can explain this more later if you want. Including how to find the energy to work it through! But it’s exciting , isn’t it?
The recommended actions above also included:
- to stop worrying for the things and opportunities that I can’t do, that are closed to me!
- remember You can still smile and laugh, you can read, write, listen, love, dance and maybe sing.
Actually things that we often find to be the most important wonders of life, when “meaning of life” is
discussed at crossroads in life. Like the one you just came up to!
- amazing is that we often forget them and their importance. Now, do the opposite.
Value them to their right value, if possible! And enjoy! Give it time!
The reason why I am telling you all this is that the way you think is the most important of how PD is
going to influence on your life. From both doctors, care staff and others you meet you might hear
negative stories about the future. I believe that ther reasons why it is like that depends on:
- the negative attitude comes without any extra effort. That role isn’t impossible for anyone. The opposite, to have a positive attitude is much more demanding and you have to work hard to live it!
- most people draw conclusions from the past, so called “experience”. I strongly recomend you to focus on tomorrow and the future. Then you can benefit from the enormous development that daily tells us that a breakthrough is about to come any day now. I believe it comes at 10.15 a.m. tomorrow! Local time Sweden!
I have had PD for 22 years (=8024 days) now and I is fully active and lives a good life. Remember also that when you now got PD in your family it is year 2010. There are 22 years of intensive research and development more then when I got the same diagnose 1988! And the steps forward are enormous.
As an ending on this answer to your mail, I would like to emphasize a this:
- You need information and knowledge to be able to take as much of decisions yourself.
- Be aware of the habit wide spread habit of using negative words whern ta lking about PD and what it can lead to.
- Look maybe in Internet for more modern text. You are welcome to my web-site!
- Be active! To sit down and wait is the best way to let PD influence in a negative way.
- PD is individual. So don’t compare to much with others. BUT compare/compete with yourself. Try everyday to make something “better” then yesterday!
- Don’t hide the fact you have got PD for anyone. I did that terrible mistake and it cost me a lot!
- Chose happiness and say yes to life every morning
- You are still healthy if you decide to be! You have a lack of dopamine but there are very good pills and methods to cope with that. And the majority of your organs and functions are still working as they were two days ago, are they not?
- You yourself has the responsibility to train physically and mentally. To take responsibility for the most important part of the cure, THE SELF-CARE. Include in that to laugh a lot (or just smile!) it’s the best medicine in the whole world!
Good night and goodbye for now! It’s getting late. You are welcome with questions whenever you want!
Sincerely/Leif
