Currently, my husband and I are in Queenstown having a short break for a few days. Things have been going well and this has been a trip that we had postponed from October last year due to my back issues. I brought my walking stick with me and also my walking poles in case I needed them. However, I have found since being here that I actually walk more naturally without aids, which I feel is progress.
However, today I have not been doing so well. We caught the bus to Arrowtown which is about a 40 minute ride to a beautiful little town. Not long after getting there – and I’m not sure why – I started to feel not the best. My legs suddenly felt really heavy and I felt weak and unsafe walking very far and certainly not without the support of my husband. I had to go and sit down, while he went for a bit of a walk and look around. It was like suddenly Parkies decided to give me a reminder that I am not living a charmed life without many symptoms, but wanted to give me a poke and say ‘Remember me!’ It wasn’t a pleasant feeling at all.
We decided to go back to Queenstown, so that I could go and rest up at the Hotel. My husband went for a walk for a couple of hours so I could try to get some sleep. He likes to take long walks – before you think he was unfairly banished – and set off while I got my head down. He returned a few hours later and I’m not sure I slept, but I at least rested.
I got up and we went in search of dinner. After a few false starts we found somewhere and had a light meal. Walking around at first I wasn’t sure if I was feeling any better, but started to brighten up. It gave me a bit of a shakeup today and I was quite worried.
But looking at it and trying to be objective, I am still recovering from major surgery some 13 weeks ago. I am not back to full health. I have not had great sleep, which is usual for me away from home. Plus, I have been eating foods I have not usually been eating and indulging in treats I wouldn’t normally indulge in.
All these things are probably factors in my body giving me a wee reminder that it needs to be better cared for.
Hopefully, better sleep tonight and tomorrow will be a better day.
My journey with Parkinsons 
You have come such a long way so quickly.Maybe you have pushed a bus trip a bit soon, lol, just saying.It really shows what independent characters we are, as you say your walking improves (unaided) and you wanted to be off…no iffs or buts needed now. Parkinsons lurks at the back of everything sadly and on its own can just chuck in a bad day for fun…. you will regain your health and well being at home for sure.We recently after two and a half years flew to Christchurch to my SIL, she lives in Fendalton and has a room with an Ensuite for us. She was wonderful, we had an adventure every day. Live theatre, trip to Governors Bay for lunch, Sumner Beach, Hamner for lunch, nail saloon. The Casino for happy hour and the live Jazz band.The Art gallery (two much standing for me) garden centre’s, shops and pizza restaurants with live music. Her house was also going up for auction, so there were busy domestic times and land agents and photographers, gardners, all such fun.The airline staff were great (both of us assisted passengers) it showed us a taste of a life very different to ours now..Although my SIL had a dog my husband managed to walk daily. Something he has not been able to do safely in recent years. It took a huge effort, but like you he did it.We kept the PD pills time correctly, which is so important..we made it home safely, it may well be our last holiday away, who knows.You mentioned walking poles, do you find them helpful?The Physio has just mentioned those to us and suggested them for my husband (and me, but I am not her patient lol) we weren’t sure.My husband has had his condition diagnosis changed after initially diagnosed with early onset PD to now Parkinsonism, with four areas of the brain affected and a “choice” of several other not so nice conditions. We are investigating those now.In the meantime, as soon as it’s light enough, we are off on our walk on the beach. No wind today.Really hope your feeling better soon Sue.RobynSent from my Galaxy
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Hi Robyn. As always the voice of reason and support that you always are. I forget too that since my operation I have usually had to spell myself during the day with doing an activity and rest periods for up to an hour, depending on how sore my back gets. This is the most active I have probably been in weeks if not months! Today we go on the Earnslaw a lovely steam boat ride across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a gourmet bbq lunch. Another foodie day! Looks like some more attention to diet will be needed on our return home.
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Just take your meds on time Sue, sounds like a wonderful day ahead…enjoy.Sent from my Galaxy
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Thanks. I will make sure I keep an eye on the essentials like meds so I can get the most out of the trip.
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If you’re back in Christchurch sometime I would love to meet for a coffee.
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