In my second blog entry, I wrote:
“I started a journal on September 28, 2009. Here is my first entry: Last Tuesday, I sat down with Sally (my wife) to explain that I have Parkinson’s. I have tried denying this for a little while, but the internal tremors were very strong that day and no telling when they might appear as external tremors.”
That “Last Tuesday” was nine years ago today. What a difference nine years makes. I have not lost sight of my blessings in life, and that you, the Parkinson’s sufferers with whom I am in contact, are a daily reminder that “what a difference nine years makes” generally amounts to pain and suffering.
To those who suffer daily, it is difficult to think about accepting things as they are, but I found that to be an important step in my recovery. When I say acceptance, I do not mean acquiescence. From my viewpoint of Parkinson’s, acceptance is one’s acknowledgment that one has the disease. My personal view was, “I have it for some reason, and I accept that. Now, what am I going to do to get rid of it.” I came to learn that the reason is that I was out of balance, soul, mind, and body.
When a disease is labeled incurable, those who receive the diagnosis find it virtually impossible to reach the “now, what am I going to do to get rid of it” phase because conventional wisdom says one cannot get rid of it. As all of you know, I do not subscribe to the conventional wisdom view of Parkinson’s, and I got rid of it by what most would call unconventional methods, the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®.
Here are some thoughts:
1. Believe you can get rid of it, knowing you will be cured some time in the future.
2. Once you know you will be cured some time in the future, do not worry about “when” and do not worry about “what if I don’t get better.” Have faith in yourself, faith in the Recipe, and faith in your Higher Power.
3. Believe that you have the power to heal yourself. I recommend it as a daily mantra, “I have the power to heal myself.”
4. Enjoy the journey to full recovery. Make the most of each day taking action in furtherance of “I have the power to heal myself.”
These thoughts come with a warning. Experience tells me that when the Parkinson’s within you realizes that you know you have the power to heal yourself and that you are taking steps to get better, it will punish you. Parkinson’s is like a tenant who has failed to pay rent for a long time and you now are giving it an eviction notice.
How will it respond? It will yell at you. It will damage the furniture. It will cut the electricity. It will stop up the plumbing. It will try to make you lose your resolve. Be as strong as you can because when you are doing the Recipe you are unearthing toxins and you may experience physical symptoms you have not seen in a while.
The disease wants to make you think you are losing the battle. Be as strong as you can because you are winning…know it and keep the faith. Just like the non-paying tenant who receives the eviction notice, eventually, Parkinson’s will leave. Be strong, have faith, and let go of the Parkinson’s. You don’t need it.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Thanks Howard…..
We must have certainty we are going to recovery, the only thing other conventional opinions have about this disease being incurable is their certainty that they are right. We therefore must maintain our certainty over all others, no matter who they are or what they say.
Fear will creep in, which is ok, just keep eyes heart and soul on the prize which is inner innate healing.
I started the Recipe in February 2018. I was diagnosed in 2010. I have a lot of persistence and faith I was going to get better . I saw my neurologist two days ago and she was taking notes because she was so pleased with my current condition. I actively work for my recovery by taking Tai Chi classes, eating well, drinking Kombucha, and working on relaxing my vagus nerve thru a lot of smiling, dancing, and humming. Parkinson’s teaches me every day to enjoy my day and not take anything for granted. Thank you Howard for the Recipe and your support.
Ty for your words
Great post Howard, great reminder of the deception of this disease. I think it is a daily occurrence for most warriors, medicated and non medicated, to have to discipline the mind. It’s like a little devil on your shoulder that never shuts up.
The journey has been long and hard for a lot of us. I am still learning as I go. Dopamine drugs did not agree with me, so I’m on something similar to what I am on which is helping. I see it as a stepping stone to get me back on track when the struggle has been so great. I joyously can do the recipe daily which has given me my faith back in my recovery. I feel it is devastating when we lose hope and certainty. I’m back focused and determined again.
Big Love to all warriors. Great to read so many new warriors posts.
Karen xx
Hi Karen
I was wondering how you are.
You have had a long difficult path but you wiĺl get there .
I’m happy that life is a bit easier for you and that you are able to do the Recipe again.
Go Girl!
Love back to you.
Berni x
Hi Karen
Glad to hear your voice again and that you are able to do the physical parts of the recipe.
Love Christinexx
Great words with great timing. I am currently being challenged with not worrying about the “when” and the “what if I don’t get better”. Just started coming up about a week or so ago. But I’m finding that the more I start to worry, the more I start to fight by doing more of the recipe more often. I hope that will make a difference. Thank you, Howard!
What an amazing post
It’s so wonderful how often you hit the nail on the head
Ty for everything you do
Dear Howard,
This is another post I’m going to print up and read everyday until it thoroughly sinks in.
Hope is so important and you always give it to us. Many thanks for demonstrating “the impossible” and letting us know how it’s done!
Dearest Howard,
You were the proof to me that Parkinson’s was not incurable. At a time when everything else I was hearing and reading about Parkinson’s increased my fear and hopelessness, your recovery was the lifeline I held to. You had taken the journey through unmarked territory to your recovery and cleared a path that was there for me to follow. That was truly a life changing Gift.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
What a beautiful life you are living, touching and changing so many lives by sharing your recovery
And your message of Hope.
I love you!
Thank you once again, dear Howard, with heartwarming gratitude…your journey, your recovery, your coaching and your shared experiences are inspiring and so supportive. They continue to provide me with direction and optimism most every day.
When I was diagnosed in 2006 I accepted the diagnoses but not their prognosis. I feel this is important for me. Others prognosis is constantly thrown up in front of us. So the challenge for me is to know what my prognosis is. That is all that matters to me. And I believe that God will heal me in His time so I just have to live the journey. Sometimes the journey is hard but I refuse to carry the backpack on my back and keep my eyes on the road ahead. Thank you Howard for this beautiful blog.
Love and blessings
Veronica 🌱🌺
Great post Howard! What would we all do without your willingness to share your experience or your weekly words of encouragement?! I’m so thankful I found you! Parkinson’s is the thorn I needed to learn how to love myself. I’m learning….slow but sure! It’s an enlightening journey!
Yeah, Howard – your work on the blog is an incredibly valuable service.
My neurologist also recently advised me to ‘keep up the good work!’
To be perfectly honest (cross my fingers and my toes) I feel fortunate in that I don’t think I’ve got Parkinsons all that bad. My standing stamina is up and walking is getting smoother. Me left arm still trembles a bit and my typing stinks, but over all I’m in pretty good shape.
While it will be great to get rid of the last physical vestiges of Parkinsons, what really gets me pumped is that I will still have all these fine soul/mind/body tools for keeping the stresses and worries at bay that gave me PD in the first place. This will leave me a better person for my family, friends and community.
All this makes me want to redouble my efforts to kick PD in the pants.
And to all our good friends in the UK, ‘keep a stiff upper lip!’ Oops, no, you can let that go too!!
With gratitude and love,
Chris
Thanks for this post Howard.
It’s very true for me at the moment as I confront the mental and spiritual aspects of the disease. I find Parkinson’s fighting back with more intense symptoms and I have to draw on my inner strength, my higher power and lots of encouragement from Howard’s coaching.
Parkinson’s is curable!
Thanks Howard. Very helpful as always.