From the moment I heard the fateful words proclaiming that I now had to share my life with Parkies, I thought it would take over my life. For my life to be that of a Parkies “sufferer” seemed the likely outcome.
Then, something interesting happened. I suppose it could be the Social Worker in me – some 20+ years – I found that I neither wanted nor needed for Parkies to be all that my life was about. This may seem a strange thing to say for someone who writes a blog about their life with Parkinson’s and does so every few days. Some may say that is an unhealthy thing to do, but for me it saved my sanity and my life writing this blog. It gives me a space in which to process my thoughts and feelings and in doing so, I can then pack them away and get on with life. I am determined to live my best life, living in the here and now and not focusing on the future.
I was reading another Parkies blog the other day and they talked about going for a walk in their lunch break with some other people that she worked with. It was pretty much a spontaneous thing to do, as she did not come equipped with ‘sensible shoes’ or the right clothing for walking any distance in the hot sun. So, she was unprepared for the reality of joining her workmates on their lunchtime ramble. Not only was she unprepared in what she wore, however, she was also unprepared in relation to her medication. It must have been one of those spur of the moment invitations, where you suddenly find yourself heading out on a walk that you had no time to really think of it. This then lead to the Parkies person forgetting to take her meds with her.
Then she wrote the following:
“… I sometimes forget that I have Parkinson’s. I was just going for a walk, something I do all the time. I didn’t anticipate my needs…”
She stated she had to call a friend to come to her aid as her meds had run out and she was concerned she would not get back to her office. She said then that she had learned her lesson and would be more prepared in future.
I absolutely identified with her on this. I replied to her that I have been in the same position on more than one occasion. That I had forgotten to take my medications and had a significant amount of time before I actually got to take them. Like the other blogger I too forgot to take my lunchtime meds. For some reason, if I am going to forget any meds it will be lunchtime. I have no idea why, but lunchtime seems to be the favourite one to be forgotten!
In response to her “…sometimes I forget that I have Parkinson’s…” I said that I too found myself forgetting I have Parkinson’s as I get on with my life. It is strange, but I often find myself thinking the same thing, a wishful thinking thing, no doubt as if wishing it were not a part of my life, may make it go away perhaps?
She also stated that “… I’ve learned my lesson…” and I replied to her,
“… You say you learned a lesson today about taking your meds. I am sure you have, but if you are like me, you have learned your lesson, until next time!!”
We have a very similar outlook on Parkies and both read each other’s blogs. It is good to tap into others in a similar situation when you have something like Parkies. To gather around us a community of people who understand how we might be feeling and to feel supported by them.
The way the other blogger writes is very similar to mine. A useful blog and a useful perspective, but even more than its inherent usefulness is that her words – like mine – usually are shared in a positive way. Showing that all does not have to be serious and that we can retain a sense of humour. Even if the main person we laugh at is ourselves!
So, now that I have got these thoughts down to share with you all, I will now go and forget about the Parkies Pest and go and enjoy some family time with my grand-daughter. In itself that is a wee bonus of Parkies making me need to retire, I get to spend much more time with those I love.
There is always a positive you can draw from our situations; you just sometimes need to work a little harder to find it!
My journey with Parkinsons 