Thursday, February 23, 2012

Journey Continued

On Monday I attended the Parkinson's Disease Support Group for the first time.  There were 2 people there from the Struther's Parkinson's Clinic in Minneapolis, MN, to answer questions and discern the needs of people in this area.

The room was packed with those with PD and their spouses/caregivers.  There were people there in all stages of PD.  It was sobering for me and somewhat scary.

I also found myself filled with compassion and admiration for the beautiful courage that it can take to live fully with this disease.  Bravo!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

MY JOURNEY BEGINS

This journey with Parkinson's Disease is going to be an interesting one.  Who knows where it will take me?  I still "know" in my deepest self that it is Grace that brings me to this place.  I "know" it brings untold opportunities.  AND YET...!

My daily journey is much more difficult to navigate at times. When new symptoms pop up, new feelings arise--fear, sadness--I am temporarily destabilized.

What should I do?  Nothing, increase meds, decrease meds, exercise more, call the doctor (which in my case is a nurse practitioner)?  I know my feelings come from wanting things to stay the same--I am attached to not getting worse.  I am attached to the myth that doing all the "right things" will prevent my disease from progressing.

So, once again, I notice with compassion, and then haul myself back to the center--to being peacefully where I am right now.  Truthfully, I'm attached to remaining peacefully in the center, and so it goes.

Journaling helps me deal with and understand my life--it helps me be more creative in dealing with my life as it unfolds, so I will write more about my journey with Parkinson's Disease over time.