Weekly Check-In Nov 26-Dec 2, 2006

[steve m]

Hi Everyone..The weather here in R.I. has been phenomenal for the month of Nov..With the exception for alot of rain this month the days have been mild and only a few nights below freezing..It was a great month for fishing, and I got alot of days in..Today was absolutely beautiful out there

My brother went in to see the Urologist on Monday, and the Dr said that his prostate was enlarged, but minimal for his age..He suggested a biopsy anyway just to be on the safe side, so my brother will go back in on Dec 8..The encouraging news is that the Dr said that just because his PSA was high doesnt mean that there is anything wrong..That was a relief!..So we will see what the outcome of the biopsy results are

I spent Thanksgiving with some friends this year because my truck is on its last leg and I didnt trust it to take the 70 mile ride to my girlfriends house in the pouring rain..My brother spent the day with my aunt and uncle..The turkey was great as was all the trimmings..It was a good day, and it was a day of rest in a sense for me that was much needed..And as usual it poured cats and dogs all day long..Seems it always rains 9 out of 10 Thanksgivings Days..It was also a good day to reflect on how good my life is inspite of that fact that I have pd, and that in some strange ways pd has also enriched my life..I needed to think about that, because there is no denying that pd is now begun to invade the other side of my body..Its apparent in my gait, and my left hand has lost some coordination..I drop things frequently, have some difficulty occasionally picking things up, separating bills in my wallet..turning pages, as well as other assorted tasks, and sometimes it tries my patience, and angers me..Ive found that acceptence comes in layers like the peeling of an onion..You are confronted with it..you embrace it..and you let it go..and move on..untill next time.. :rolleyes:

Because I sold my boat I was able to buy a 19' fiberglass boat, motor, and trailer that was a real sweet deal..All in excelent shape..I need something much more stable than the boat Ive been using, and I also bought another truck yesterday, A 2001 Ford Ranger with a 4 cylinder engine..Now when gas goes back up to $3.25 per gallon it wont matter so much..You have to fight fire with fire..If ya cant join 'em..beat 'em..

How was your week?

Steve

[Eve]

Hi Steve I like the way you describe acceptance being like the layers of an onion. I thought I had accepted my Dxs quite well only to find that every so often I feel like I am in denial. Its when the progression of the disease rears its ugly head I am faced with it all over again. Those are the times it is depressing. I found myself quite down over the weekend, what with the dull, rainy weather, so I went out with some friends to the local pub and had a good time. Things didn't seem so bad once I got moving, we tend to stay in a lot at this time of year and it can really get you down. I'm starting to crave those U.V.'s already and its not even December.

[steve m]

You too..Huh Eve?..I find myself getting agrivated lately..Right hand very uncoordinated..Left hand losing coordination..Constantly knocking things over..(Knocked down the Christmas tree in CVS yesterday..:rolleyes: )..Having trouble picking things up..Having trouble figuring out what to do with both hands full..What should I put down..and where..and what should I hold on to..dropping things..Spilling things..writing..

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY!!!!!!!!

[Shirlee Blevins]

Hi Steve:

I am back. I don't know if it is ok to ask a lot of questions or not but I am going to. Then if I go too far, someone can tell be to back off. I have decided the only way I am going to get educated about PD is to just ask. How long ago were you dx with PD? From what I can tell from your postings the past two weeks, it sounds like you still drive and operate a boat. True?
Do you do any special exercise for your PD? What meds are you on? I guess this is enough questioning for now. I wish I had some profound wisdom to pass on to you tonight, but I am so new at all this, I don't know whether to bake a cake or cut a water mellon at this point. Stay in touch and I will hold a positive thought for you....and your next trip to CVS.

Shirlee in Alabama

[steve m]

Hi Steve:

I am back. I don't know if it is ok to ask a lot of questions or not but I am going to. Then if I go too far, someone can tell be to back off. I have decided the only way I am going to get educated about PD is to just ask. How long ago were you dx with PD? From what I can tell from your postings the past two weeks, it sounds like you still drive and operate a boat. True?
Do you do any special exercise for your PD? What meds are you on? I guess this is enough questioning for now. I wish I had some profound wisdom to pass on to you tonight, but I am so new at all this, I don't know whether to bake a cake or cut a water mellon at this point. Stay in touch and I will hold a positive thought for you....and your next trip to CVS.

Shirlee in Alabama


Shirlee..I was dx May 04..Symptomatic for around 2-3 years prior

I still operate a boat and fish part time

I dont exercise but I keep phsically busy

Sinamet 3x 25/100 daily

Mirapex 2x .25 daily

I am undermedicated..I should take at least one more Sinamet daily..On the days I work I double up on the Sinamet for the morning dose and skip the Mirapex for that dose

[K Hamilton]

We don't very often get snow around here, or when we do it is followed later the same day with rain. But every eight years or so we get a good one. It started snowing on Saturday night, and kept on through Monday. By the time it was done, we had 15" in our backyard, and the temp was 8 degrees F. - with winds gusting to 45 mph. A gift from our neighbors to the North up in British Columbia, especially the ones living up the Fraser River, from whence all of our worst weather comes. Thanks, guys.

I realize, of course, that to the folks in Wisconsin or Michigan or upstate NY this is nothing, but way out here it is just infrequent enough that we stop being prepared and revert to old habits and don't check supplies of water, batteries, candles and such, or make sure each fall that our snow tires are pumped up and the chains are in good condition.

The real frustrating thing is that two years ago my wife and I each bought a pair of snowshoes for the other for Christmas - and now that we have some snow to go out in, my Raynaud's kicks in, and no matter how warmly I dress and how many layers of gloves and mittens I wear, in about 15 minutes my hands are in pain, and by the time I get back inside and start slowly warming them the hand is blue, the fingers are white, and they all hurt like h...ll! I hate being a sissy, but outdoor winter fun seems to be off limits now - this is more of a loss than anything my PD has caused so far.