Wednesday, April 5, 2006
I'm Walkin' But the Talkin' Took a Vacation
My trip to the Physical Therapist today, to be evaluated for safe walking lessons, turned out to be a lot of fun. They said to wear comfortable, form fitting workout clothes, which was comfortable but showed the 20 lbs. I need to lose. They had me do things that the old folk with Parkinson's have trouble doing, but were not challenging for this ex-PomPon girl. The dance training of my youth and teens again paid off. I have muscular legs and dance imbued me with a sense of balance so that if I do...
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Safe Walking
Today I go in for safe-walking physical therapy and will learn a program to take home. I hope it's not a walker to take home. I am under the impression this class will delay that eventuality. I AM only a youngster -- too young for one of those! SEE you all later! Thanks for coming by. Transcripts to come later when I'm seated again, and not out gadding about with my new walking techniques!
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Tuesday, April 4, 2006
I Really AM a Poster-child for DBS!
I thought it would be fun to share my story as told through the article that ran in the 2002 Annual Report of KU Med. Since the print is barely legible, I will transpose a copy for tomorrow's blog. For now, just know that when it comes to poster child, I am legit!
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Monday, April 3, 2006
From DBS to PEA
I have had such successful benefits from my Deep Brain Surgery (DBS) for Parkinson's, that I was often utilized to be a spokesperson if I happened to be at KU Med getting an adjustment to my stimulators. If there were a prospective patient, they would ask if I would speak with them. I'll never forget one patient who asked me all sorts of questions, and about 10 minutes into the conversation, said, "Wait a minute. You're the one with Parkinson's?" We laughed about that. He thought I was a PR...
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Friday, March 31, 2006
I'm still Walking?
I went to my endocrinologist at KU Med yesterday. He's treating my thyroid deficiency. He's also treating my bone density which is compromised from the cancer pill I take. I got my orders to take physical therapy so that I can learn how to walk safely. That may mean learning how to walk a straight line, literally. People often think we with Parkinson’s (PD) are drunk because of the effects of medications on our walking. We weave. You can imagine what people must think when we're in that state....
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Tuesday, March 28, 2006
A Miracle in Progress
On last night’s episode of ABC’s Miracle Maker’s show, they profiled the life of a woman who had Parkinson’s disease for the past seventeen years. It was interesting to see how they do the life-changing surgery these days. She didn’t have her head shaved and her single impulse generator was placed in her abdomen. She was in the hospital the entire time. The equipment and techniques have changed since I was a “guinea pig” almost seven years ago. I will celebrate my 7th Re-Birth day coming up May...
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