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 25, 2009 journal entry, seven years ago today.
“10/25/09. Up at 4. Today, for the first time it occurred to me that internal tremors probably burn calories. I will research this tomorrow.
We told Sally’s Mother about my Parkinson’s tonight. She seems okay, or at least put on a good face once we went over all of the facts and our plan of attack.”
Over the first three months after I stated getting tremors, I lost 35 pounds. Sally commented to me that if I lost any more weight that I might not have the strength to fight the disease, so I added two mini-meals into my day and I did not lose any more weight.
Today, I need to do something I rarely do. Yesterday, an incredible comment of faith, perseverance, and vulnerability was posted on the blog. Many of you probably have not seen it. I found it to be so inspirational, I am re-posting it here:
“Rainer from Germany says:
October 24, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Relation about a trip from Dresden to Berlin
On last Thursday, 18th of October, I went alone from Dresden (200 km in the South of Berlin) to Berlin, the first big trip in two years. I needed to see my dentist-naturopath to discuss with him how to deal with the tooth decay in my mouth, in a holistic way without drilling. According to the advice of Howard, I tried to not premeditate the difficulties of the trip and, instead, to look forward to enjoyable things and a positive outcome. Still I could not keep me from feeling concerns, and even serious doubts: Will I be able to do such a thing, alone and without company to help me a little? My physical state at home in Dresden is severe and seemed to indicate the opposite: During weeks I had been very debilitated and had had serious gait problems in the house, so I seldom left the house and felt very isolated from people and from life. But then, when the day came, I felt so undernourished socially and so tired of being all the time in that house with my parents, doing every day the same routine, that I firmly decided: No matter what difficulties I will have to face in Berlin, I will accept them and find a way to deal with them.
All I ate in the morning to give me energy for that long day was, at 6 AM, a mixed vege-table drink and, at 7:30 AM, just before leaving the house, a big tablespoon of coconut oil. The next meal would be only at 4 PM, after having seen the dentist. Pleasant ride to Berlin in travel bus: 2 1/2 hours. The bus arrived late in Berlin, so I had to hurry to arrive in time in the dentist’s practice. The bus I had to take to get to the dentist’s practice was just arriving, so I walked as quickly as I could to reach this bus. But suddenly, my leg got trapped in a long dog lead, in front of me I saw a tiny dog, but I couldn’t see the owner at the other end of the dog lead. It was dangerous, I risked to fall unpleasantly. When I, finally, managed to turn around and saw the owner, I got his attention (using my voice) and, eventually, liberated my leg without falling. My bus was about to leave, and I still was behind 20 or 30 m. So I had no choice: I began not to walk quickly, but to run as if I didn’t have Parkinson’s disease, using arms and legs with full power. When I was in the bus and the bus left, I was excited and unbelieving of what happened, and very happy.
This is wonderful empirical proof of what Howard says. The dopamine is there! It is just blocked by an interference of the mind that controls bodily functions it shouldn’t be in control of. Now, when a situation occurs that suddenly interrupts the interference of the mind – a situation of danger and where immediate, rapid action is needed –, the dopa-mine becomes instantly available. This was such a situation, and it felt really great.
I arrived in time in the dentist’s practice. The dentist spoke with me more than an hour and was very supportive concerning my idea of dealing with the tooth decay holistically rather than drilling the teeth. So I left his practice very content, thinking that it was not in vain to do such a long trip in order to meet this extraordinary doctor.
When I found myself in the bus that was to bring me back to the railway station, I still had enough time to get off and to go to my apartment in Berlin where I had to do some things. This meant that I would have to walk at least one and a half kilometre to the apartment and back to the bus stop, an effort that seemed me impossible prior to the trip. But I was in very good mood, and I was able to walk straight away from the bus stop with big strides and much better than I had imagined before: on a main street with many people susceptible to cause stress, but I was not stressed at all, I felt a wonderful joy. I reached my apartment, did what I had to do and went back to the bus stop. When I came to the hairdressing salon where they used to cut me my beard and my hair in 2013 and 2014, when I lived in Berlin, I looked whether the same hairdressers were still there. When I lived in Berlin, these were a man from Kurdistan and two men from Azer-baijan. The man from Kurdistan was just looking out of the window, and I smiled and he gave me back the smile and waved with his hand. First I didn’t stop walking to avoid the effort of starting again to walk. But then I thought: I have not seen them in two years and I will go in and say them hello. They were delighted. We shook hands and had a little chat. I asked whether the man from Azerbaijan was also there who used to cut me my beard and my hair, and he came out and was also very glad. Then the man from Kurdi-stan said a really huge sentence underlining it with a big smile and a heartfelt sign of his thumb: “You speak, you eat and you walk, so you are well. I see you are really well.” No wonder that, when I left the hairdressing salon, I walked again very well to the bus stop.
At the railway station I needed to use the toilet, and I asked a young man to help me change a banknote of €10. Instead, he paid it from his pocket. And then, in the travel bus back to Dresden, when I asked the second driver for a bottle of water, he also gave me back the banknote, smiled, stroked my arm with his hand and said: “Gratis.”
This day showed how true this is what Howard says. Fear is not real: Prior to the trip I expected insurmountable difficulties, instead, it was a day of joy and very good physical performance. A completely other reality than the one I expected! Vulnerability: The uni-verse seemed to think: This man takes risks, he opens all the doors and windows to let in the bad things as well as the good things, so I will reward him and send him only good things: kindness of many people, joy and very good physical performance.
I hesitate a little to send this long text to you. But I want to share my joy about this unexpected, extraordinary day. So here it is.
With love
Rainer”
Congratulations Rainer! You did it. You fought the fear. You ventured out. And when you needed it the most, your dopamine reserve, with no mind to block it, said, “Okay, Rainer, let’s catch that bus!” How wonderful is that. Let’s all take some inspiration from Rainer and let the dopamine flow. You can do it, too!
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 account! Thank you for sharing your very inspirational text from Rainer.
Thank you, Howard, for your perseverance and encouragement.
This is a great story Howard! Congratulations Rainer!
You took a leap of faith and faith is stronger than fear!
This proves once again that we are healed and that it is just our minds holding on to Parkinson’s…its time for us all to let go!
Howard, thank-you so much for posting the comments from Rainer.
I have had similar things happen to me but not quite as dramatic.
I find that when I attempt to do something I think I can’t do, I can!
I never knew the extreme, unexpected kindness of strangers before now!
Thanx, again. So inspiring.
How wonderful!
Thank you Rainer
Thank you all
Super, Rainer!! Great story!
Congratulations Rainer ! You’re awesome !
Thanks so much for sharing
Fantastic Rainer., well done. You should be very proud of yourself. My experience last week was in some way similar to yours. By the way, I’m originally from Germany. I don’t do the recipe regularly, as I lack motivation and am experiencing debilitating pain. I, like you, had an appointment, where I had to travel to Melbourne last week, a round trip of 600km from where I live in the country. I had to attend an audio clinic and I didn’t know how on earth I could get there, as I had no one who could drive me there and using public transport was out of the question due to my balance issues. Needless to say, I was quite panicky about it and stressed about it for a few weeks. But through the Red Cross I was lucky to be driven there and back and the driver even had to wait for 3 hrs whilst I had tests done. I dreaded this day so much, which of course resulted in severe pain the day before. But….on the morning of the trip, I decided that I could do this. My food which I had prepared the day before and which I took with me, as I figured that we didn’t have time to stop and eat on the way, was packed and ready to go. I was picked up at 6.30 am and the driver was very helpful and as we had a lot in common, chatted for most of the trip there and back. To cut a long story short, the day was long, but due to my positive attitude, it had a very successful outcome and I felt really proud of myself. Although nothing was found that could be the reason for my dizziness. That evening I even played a few games of table tennis. This just goes to show that the mind plays a huge role and I have noticed that whenever I think positive thoughts, the symptoms are less severe. However, there are days when I struggle more and I feel weak and vulnerable. I get strength from all of you and your determination of getting well. I believe I can do it, as I am worth it.
Thank you Howard. I look forward to your posts every day.
Love to all,
Margit
thankyou so much rainer and margit– and howard, as always!!– for sharing yr inspiring stories. i am currently in a very difficult situation too with very limited use of my arms n hands, n walking becoming more challenging. typing is difficult too but despite all my problems i managed to finish a book recently–all with the help of a friend in america who typed out the final chapters for me while i dictated over skype– all this while she was pregnant n tired herself! now i hve the challenge ahead of publishing it. it comes out next week n my publishers hve accommodated my pd and don’t expect me tto travel or do much press. –in fact they say they r enjoying the challenge of finding different ways of publicising the book. i hve had to be v open and vulnerable with them re what i can and cant do–especially vulnerable about appearing in public and dealing with fatigue. now i especially hve to trust in the universe that the book will find its way out into the world without much help from me. during this whole challenging experience i hve found people everywhere are kind n helpful when i ask for assistance and that there is still abundance everywhere!
howard these daily blogs r like gifts from heaven. thank you so very much. And
thnx again rainer n margit for helping me find more courage n hope,
much love
lindaxxx
Hi, Margit, it is so wonderful that we have the same experiences. I’m really glad for you!
Hi, Linda, I have a very hard time with typing too. That’s why I use a speech recognition software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking. I can dictate in German and English. This might be a good solution for your typing problems. You need a microphone with directional selectivity. I use the one from Sennheiser. Works all pretty well, and is even funny to see appear on the screen what you are dictating.
Much love to you both, and much courage and joy on your recovery journey.
Rainer
Thanks, Howard! My husband, Don, and I deeply appreciate this marvelous post as well as all the ones before now.
Sincerely yours,
Karen and Don
Dear Rainer…..more power to you. We become fearful because we do not always know our own strength. Congratulations for trusting in your greatness. Gods light was shining down on you. May you go from strength to strength.
Veronica 🌺🎋
Howard, would it be okay for Linda to give details of her book on the blog? I’d be very interested to hear about it.
Yes, Anita (and Linda),
This is okay with me.
Love and blessings,
Howard
hi anita
thnx for asking about my book. its called all is given and its a memoir about travel and music–among many things – 2 things i did a lot of before my diagnosis. it came out this week in australia. i thought a lot about whether or not finish it n hve it published but i guess in a way its a way to share n pass on my experiences and the soul n heart i discovered in doing so.
if you wld like to know more perhaps you wouldn’t mind passing on yr email address through howard and i can send you the press release etc.
and rainer thnx for the note on dragon software. i’m slowly learning how to use it.
god bless you both
love linda
Wow Rainer, what a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
I had a parallel incident today. Recently I booked a session with a new healer. I told her I couldn’t travel, but she insisted I come to her. I reluctantly agreed and arranged for a friend to drive me. But last night, I literally lost many hours of sleep worrying about having to negotiate an unfamiliar environment.
I arrived at her home and immediately noted that the front stairs had no banister and I almost quit right there. But she came outside to meet me and took me the back way, which did have a banister.
Then there was a massage table that was too high for me to get up on by myself. She insisted I lean against the table and she would pull me up. Once again, I almost left, but I decided to try and this little lady pulled me up on the table with ease and comfort.
Then she proceeded to give me the most vigorous bodywork session I’ve had in years. And instead of being scared, I enjoyed it.
Hi Shawna, how wonderful your experience with the healer! I find it so encouraging to see how much the universe helps us when we go through the fear and take the step into the unknown. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure!
Much love to and best wishes for your recovery.
Rainer
May all you who post your wins and your challenges receive manifold the strength and courage that you inspire in we, your rapt and attentive readers.
Thank you so much to each and everyone of you for your wonderful reactions and for sharing your own experiences. It is such a gift to have this place where we can talk to each other. Thank you, Howard, for the great work you do with us, and for your kindness of having reposted my adventure.
Love and a big hug to all of you, courage and joy on our way to recovery.
Rainer