Fighting Parkinson’s, and the blog is four years old

Four years ago today, I began this blog. Much has happened over these last four years, and I thought it would be helpful to go back to the beginning as a point of reference for today’s post. Here is my first post, March 25, 2010.

“Hi.

I turned 49 years old two days ago. In November of 2009, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My mother had Parkinson’s for 24 years before she died, and a couple of months before receiving my official diagnosis, I was pretty much certain I had it.

My mother was not diagnosed with Parkinson’s right away, and she had been put on drug treatments prior to her Parkinson’s diagnosis. She responded well to the initial Parkinson’s medications, and hence received her diagnosis. She fought a long and valiant fight, but in the end, it seemed like the drugs took their toll and played as much a part in her passing as did the disease itself.

I am fortunate to have learned from her experiences and her courage, and I am fortunate that her Parkinson’s specialist is located in my city — he is my Parkinson’s specialist now.

I am doing my best to fight this drug free. Admittedly, my movements are slow, my balance is not good, I have regular nagging pain, and I tire much more easily than before. However, I have decided to listen to these messages my body is sending me and work toward a long-term solution from a holistic perspective. I am interested in sharing my experiences to help others and I am interested in hearing others’ experiences to help me and anybody else who reads this blog.

All I can do is share what I am doing…what works and what does not. Everybody who suffers from Parkinson’s suffers in a different way. Obviously, if something I am doing looks like giving a try, let your doctor know what you are thinking about doing. I am not a doctor, and I am not advocating you do anything that you and your doctor have not discussed. My doctor is fantastic and has given me the green light to explore the approaches I will be describing in later posts.

I would not be able to fight this fight if it were not for the love of my wonderful wife and children, as well as my extended family and friends. I have many blessings in this life, and I feel that Parkinson’s is just a roadblock…not an immoveable object.

I look forward to a meaningful dialogue.”

For today’s discussion, I would like to focus on one thing I wrote four years ago:

“I am doing my best to fight this drug free. Admittedly, my movements are slow, my balance is not good, I have regular nagging pain, and I tire much more easily than before. However, I have decided to listen to these messages my body is sending me and work toward a long-term solution from a holistic perspective. ”

The reason I bring you to these words is simple. At the time I wrote this post, I had been doing the Recipe for six months. I did it every day. I gave it my heart and soul. I did not lose faith…and after six months, where was I in my recovery from a symptom perspective? I wrote, “Admittedly, my movements are slow, my balance is not good, I have regular nagging pain, and I tire much more easily than before.” Of course, when I wrote this, I had no idea I would be fully recovered three months into the future.

From most people’s perspective, many of whom had no hesitation about sharing their perspective with Sally or me, I was failing…not just failing, but failing miserably. That is where faith comes in. And action. And attitude. And progress. And faith. My faith needed to be stronger than other people’s opinions. That is really it in a nutshell.

Your faith in your cure needs to be stronger than other people’s opinions about what you should be doing for your Parkinson’s. And, your faith needs to be stronger than your fear.

You can do this! Utilize the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery&#0174 and our formula for your cure: Faith, Attitude, Action, Progress.

Faith. To assist with faith, please click here.
Attitude. To assist with keeping a positive attitude, please click here.
Action. To assist with taking action, please click here.
Progress. To assist with your own progress by reading how your fellow travelers on this path are doing, please click here.
CURE! Your cure is the only logical conclusion. KNOW IT!

We have come a long way together these last four years. I am grateful for all of you!

You can do this! You are worth it!!!

All my best,

Howard

 

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10 Responses to Fighting Parkinson’s, and the blog is four years old

  1. Nancy Thomas says:

    Grateful for You, Howard. It’s been a wonderful journey

  2. Ken says:

    I so look forward to your posts Howard. I always feel rejuvenated and ready to carry on with the road to recovery after reading it. The blog may be four years but it is always fresh, positive and uplifting. I thank you for never giving up on us.

  3. Monica McIntyre says:

    I am forever grateful for your site and everytime I am in a funk thinking the symptoms are worse I think of you and know it’s time to put that thinking to rest. Many thanks Howard.

  4. Jane says:

    Dear Howard, I am blown away, yet again, by the outrageously simple and profound courage and wisdom that you manifested then in that very first post – and have continued to manifest ever since. I am so moved by your generosity. It has made, and continues to make, the whole difference to my experience of Parkinson’s. It is like the difference between waking in the country surrounded by marvellous trees and hills or in a multi-storey car park (feelings of hopelessness). Your posts are so healing, so filled with luminosity: thank you so much. These and your wisdom are a lifeline. Love and blessings, Jane

  5. Pat in FL says:

    I like to focus on this part of what you wrote years ago: I feel that Parkinson’s is just a roadblock…not an immoveable object.
    You and theee others proved that to be true!
    Thank you for showing us perseverance over the years. I am beginning to see that Parkinson’s can be a gift providing secrets to a better way of living, if I am teachable.
    Thank you Howard, for all the wisdom you share so generously!

  6. Linda says:

    Happy belated birthday, Howard! I will never forget the day I found your blog and, even better yet, the day you posted that you were symptom free. Sending blessings for continued health and many more inspired posts.

  7. Helen says:

    Thank you Howard I need your inspiration and am truly grateful for it. Cheers and here’s to living in love

  8. Happy belated birthday dear Howard…. what an inspiring light you are in my life… congratulations and much gratitude and love…

    Penny

  9. Melanie says:

    Howard,
    What an inspiration you are to us all! There are no words to adequately describe my gratitude in finding you! You are such a blessing in all of our lives! Thank you!

  10. Sally Carlson says:

    We are truly a blessed group to have you Howard!
    Thank you and happy belated birthday.

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