Seven years ago, I began doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. Of course, back then it did not have a name…it was just what I was doing. At the same time, I began keeping a hand-written Parkinson’s Daily Journal. It is time to share my journal with all of you. Here is my October 5, 2009 journal entry, seven years ago today.
“10/05/09. Up at 4. Feeling the same. My knees hurt, but that is probably the result of the store and the lawn from yesterday. Victoria is home from school with a stuffy nose. I am constipated and having a rough day.
I am trying to work, but I am miserable today. Oatmeal for breakfast, drank lots of water, apple and watermelon for lunch – terrible day.
Went with Sally and Genevieve to a Duke University event at the Marriott Westshore. It was good.
Dinner was great – black beans and rice. Also, just remembered – took handwriting test today – not good.”
Apparently, I was having a very rough day physically. There are times when I felt the constipation was worse than the Parkinson’s, particularly in January of 2010, which ultimately got me to switch to a vegetarian, high fiber, diet.
The handwriting test I mentioned was to look at micrographia (small handwriting I had read was a sign of Parkinson’s). This one test I had learned about said to take a blank sheet of paper with no lines and sign your name again and again down the page creating one column.
A sign of Parkinson’s would be a shrinking signature as one moved down the page. As it turns out, I gave myself this test on September 28, 2009, the day I started the Recipe, and then every week through December 21, 2009.
What I will do here as part of this series is, beginning today, I will scan and publish for you my September 28, 2009 and the weekly handwriting. Then you can look at the September 28, 2009 sample and the one that will correspond to the date of the post from 7 years ago.
Click the link below to access the pdf of the September 28, 2009 and October 5, 2009 handwriting samples. The next sample set will be posted next week on October 12, 2016.
parkinsons-handwriting-10-05-09
Wishing all of you a wonderful day!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Please note: I will be posting one post per day through the middle of November. If you subscribe to receive email notifications when I post new blog posts and you would prefer to not receive those daily email notifications, simply send me an email at howard@fightingparkinsonsdrugfree.com, and let me know that you do not wish to receive a daily email with a link to each post. I will remove you from the list through the middle of November and add you back on the list after the middle of November. However, I still would recommend you checking the blog on a regular basis as it will contain very useful information for understanding my journey and helping with your journey.
Great post Howard! Its funny but my left knee hurt when i woke up this morning as well but then again i was training my legs yesterday. Its funny how we blame everything on the Parkinsons when many times this is not the case. I think the handwriting issue might be due to stiffness in the hand and wrist I’ve had more of this lately i think I”ll soak them in warm water with Epsom salts.
Hi Tony,
Thank you for your comment. You make a very important point: People tend to blame everything that occurs on the Parkinson’s “getting worse.” It is important to get out of that adrenaline-mind mode and do something productive instead, like soaking in Epson salts, just you chose to do. Good for you!
Love and blessings,
Howard
Today I, like to THANK YOU, ,THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
Hi Jacky,
Welcome to the blog. You are welcome! We are happy you on this journey with us.
Love and blessings,
Howard
Hi Howard , were you working when you have PD??
Hi Jimmy,
Yes, I worked until the last couple of months, when I became physically incapable of working. Fortunately, I worked from home, so I did not have to sit in traffic getting to and from work, and I could spend my lunch break taking a nap each day to boost my energy in the afternoon.
Love and blessings,
Howard
Thank you for being so open and honest about your experiences. It seem your symptoms sometimes get worse before you break free from Parkinsons. Following the recipe requires patience, kindness to yourself and a real belief that Parkinson’s will be cured.
Thank you for your enthusiasm, especially when negativity from other could result in you saying….I’ve had enough. First class Work.
You are welcome, Stephen.
You sound like you are understanding the recovery process well. Patience, kindness to yourself, and a real belief that Parkinson’s will be cured all are key components to this recovery. You are spot on!
Thank you for your kind words.
Love and blessings,
Howard
Thank you Howard.
Dear Howard, I found since I reverted back to using a fountain pen instead of a biro my writing has improved greatly. I also find when I get tired that doubts can creep in and steal our belief and it reminds me constantly to believe that I will be healed in God’s time, that there is no hurry. Doubts are not a conclusion . They come only for us to question what we believe. Feeling fatigue can be caused from other things besides PD. I enjoy all the input from fellow warriors and wish you all love and peace on this journey.
Veronica
Thank you Howard!
I love getting posts from you every day! I look forward to hearing from you every day!
Thank you,
Love and blessings
Barbara