Parkinson’s: Posts From The Past
Posts From the Past
November, 2021, in the first November post, I wondered about who to tell, and- “Why tell anyone? I think I want to tell people to have a connection. So they know what is going on in my life. Because even though I've been told or read the expression 'You are not the disease,' it has a pretty big impact on your life.”
“But who needs to know? People that I am doing active things with?
Who needs to know?
Why do they need to know?
Why do I want to tell them?
What do I want out of telling them?
How will it impact them?
Is it important or necessary for them to know?
I don't have answers yet, but I am working on it.”
“One joyful moment came out of these musings, I realized that
I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else’s.
That was a wonderful thought and made me very happy.”
I Forgot about this moment.
I must remember it.
It is still true.
The next post was about the Magic Potion. It is from a book written by the Medical Medium, Anthony William. (Thank you Amy! She suggested it and delivered to my front stoop, the book and all the ingredients to make it!) For a long time, I made it every day. I think it was good for me.
For the last year, I haven't made it. Why? I don't know. I did feel better while I was drinking it, but that was the first year after my diagnosis - what is called the honeymoon phase.
Will I start again?... I hope so.
The Magic Potion:
2 bananas (I freeze them)
2 cups of frozen, wild blueberries (it's important to use the wild ones because they have more potent antioxidants than the regular ones)
1 cup of fresh cilantro (I haven't used that much, maybe a handful, I'm not fond of cilantro so I'm working up on it. Amy gave me a wonderful tip for storing the fresh cilantro, she said to put the stems in a glass of water and keep the green bouquet in the frig. It's fun to see it in there!)
1 cup of orange juice (I've been using 2 cups of juice)
1 tsp barley grass juice powder
1 tsp Spirulina
1 small handful (around 2 tbsp) of Atlantic Dulse (I have flakes)
optional: water to blend (I haven't used water; I like the thick smoothie)
Directions:
In a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.
This makes enough for two people. Or you can put half in the fridge for later
If you want to try it, I would be glad to give you some taster bags of the Spirulina, the barley grass juice powder and the Atlantic dulse. I think the Magic Potion tastes great and it is oh so good for you!
The next November post was about Trying New Things.
Steven and I tried to Tango, (OMG) That is so hard! And it kind of makes me want to giggle.
We tried to learn French, but I didn't continue with that either. Steven worked on French for quite a long time.
We thought about trying ballroom dancing (I don't believe we actually got to trying that one. We just gave it some serious thought :-)
We tried a lot of free online exercise and voice classes for Parkinson's, mostly through the Parkinson's Foundation.
I worked on getting my voice out there, by using free Big and Loud online videos.
Steven says, I need to do it again.
I tell him, he is having problems with his hearing.
(But he is probably right, I do need to do it again:-)
(And I am right, that he is having a smallish, sort of problem with his hearing:-)
“LSVT LOUD is a speech treatment program that improves vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the voice box (larynx) through a systematic hierarchy of exercises. LSVT BIG is a program that is both intensive and complex, with many repetitions of core movements that are used in daily living to carry over better movement into everyday life.
Post about Sleep! In November of 2021,
I was already talking about sleep in 2021! SHEESH
“Sleep Disorders are one of the most disabling non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting more than 75 percent of people with PD, ” according to the Parkinson's Foundation.”
I found out that sleeping problems could be a side affect from taking my Carbidopa/Levodopa. THEY HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! It's the only medicine that helps Parkinson's motor symptoms. I know other ones help but basically it is surgery with DBS or Levodopa.
It was suggested by Rita, my sister-in-law, that I take Melatonin, I took it. I tried different amounts. It didn't work for me.
Then Corrine said she uses Melatonin gummies (I tried them too, they are yummy, but didn't do it for me either!)
Eileen said she drinks a small glass of tart cherry juice 2 times a day. (I tried it-think of sucking on a lemon, how do you do it Eileen?) She also said “I don't allow myself to think or I will be up for sure. I meditate or say a prayer over and over until I go back to sleep.” I tried meditating, or lately I have a Meta practice I do at night, (basically it's saying a blessing for people) -I like it, but it hasn't so far left me sleepy.
Carmen suggested a big bowl of Carbs and reading or listening to a book, Tried it, Carmen. It mostly didn't work for me. Eating doesn't seem to help me go back to sleep. I felt for a little while that listening to a quiet book (one that i had heard before) helped. But then it didn't :-(
Jill said a bowl of cereal and reading a book on her phone with the light turned down low. Thank you Jill for the suggestion, but I didn't try it..I don't like cereal :-(
Ara said she had been told to count backwards from 100. I tried it..a lot. I'm sorry Ms. R, it didn't work for me.
For a while I tried warm milk. Surprisingly, I liked the taste of warm milk, it has a gentle sweetness! I especially liked to smell the warm milk. But like all the rest it didn't help me get to sleep or to stay asleep.
That doesn't mean one of these won't work for you! They worked for the friends that suggested them. Thank you one and all!
My last post for November, 2021 was:
“I need a Vacation from Parkinson's!”
I still do.
“Too much! Too much Parkinson's information gathering, stationary biking, vocal videos, lifting weights, even dancing, doing online Parkinson's Exercise classes, cheerful little phone songs announcing pill taking, pill taking, pill taking, Dr. visiting, Parkinson's Webinars, Parkinson's e mails from the Foundations-the only one I want to do today is the writing of this Blog so I can complain!”
“Maybe if I give myself a day off each week from Parkinson's thoughts (and EXERCISING) - yes I would still have to take my pills, but otherwise not think or hear about the Snark. Consciously slamming the door on thoughts and living life in the moment. Oh joy, sounds like mindfulness training, which is another post for another time.”
This was a wonderful idea, that I didn't do. UH, well, I will do it! Maybe?
Theresa wrote in the comment section, about how she decided to take a day off, every week from learning about, exercising or thinking about her physical challenges. She said how much her mini vacation each week, has helped her. She said “Do It!”
That's all Folks, (visualize Bugs Bunny with a carrot)
See ya in two weeks, next week we have a guest post!
Nancy and the Snark
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Footnotes From Corrine: I really love Theresa’s suggestion, as well as the variety of advice for insomnia.
Testing by Corrine
ReplyDeleteTesting again
ReplyDeleteCorrine and Steven are trying to figure out why some of you have stopped being able to post in the comments. As you can see from my early posts, I love getting comments!
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