Fighting Parkinson’s, and eleven months symptom free

Tomorrow I will be eleven months with no Parkinson’s symptoms. That’s right, 100% symptom free from Parkinson’s. I have a very busy day tomorrow, so I am posting this message today. It has been a glorious eleven months without Parkinson’s, and every day I am stronger and stronger in my belief that every single one of you can be where I am today. That’s right, YOU, 100% symptom free from Parkinson’s.

Looking back to one year ago, here is where I was:

From my May 10, 2010 post:
“I am going to explain the Parkinson’s symptom of rigidity and how it impacts me. First, here is a good definition:

•Rigidity. Rigidity, or a resistance to movement, affects most parkinsonian patients. A major principle of body movement is that all muscles have an opposing muscle. Movement is possible not just because one muscle becomes more active, but because the opposing muscle relaxes. In Parkinson’s disease, rigidity comes about when, in response to signals from the brain, the delicate balance of opposing muscles is disturbed. The muscles remain constantly tensed and contracted so that the person aches or feels stiff or weak. The rigidity becomes obvious when another person tries to move the patient’s arm, which will move only in ratchet-like or short, jerky movements known as “cogwheel” rigidity. http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/parkinsnonsdisease/a/park_symp.htm

I have rigidity in my arms, legs, and upper back into my shoulders. Last week, a friend asked me to explain my rigidity so he could get a better sense of what I am experiencing.

1. My arms — the next time you sit down to eat, pick up some food with your utensil, and while holding your utensil just above the plate or bowl, flex and tighten every muscle in your arm from your shoulder to the grip on the utensil. While maintaining this, try to get the utensil with the food to your mouth. My arms are tight like this all the time.

2. My legs — stand as straight as you can and then put a little bend in your knees. Next, flex your calves and thighs. Now, try to walk. Or do this in front of the stairs and see if you can walk up the stairs without holding on. When you add the symptom of very poor balance to the formula, you can see why leaning forward when walking and holding on when going up the stairs are commonplace among those fighting Parkinson’s. My legs are tight like this all the time.

3. My upper back — it is tight and hurts all the time. I really do not have a good example for you to emulate.

Having a positive attitude is the key to everything. My mind and body have accepted the pain, so I am not consumed by it every waking moment.”

One month after I wrote this post, I no longer had Parkinson’s. This proves a point I have been making for a while — when we are healing ourselves holistically, it is from deep within, and oftentimes, we must face the most difficult parts of the disease before we recover because they have encased our soul, mind and body. As we face these difficulties, we are challenged daily to keep our faith that we are on the right path. That is how faith defeats fear.

Just as the disease creeps up slowly with very little warning, and then one day rears its ugly head and says “Parkinson’s is here,” so travels the recovery — it creeps up slowly, day by day by day of exercises and meditations and proper eating, and then with very little warning, one day, it says, “RECOVERY IS HERE!” Just like that!

Repeat the phrase, “I have the power to heal myself.” Now, have confidence in yourself, take action against Parkinson’s, and prove yourself right, that you in fact have the power to heal yourself!

All my best,

Howard