Newspaper article

Today several articles appeared simultaneously in various newspapers about my story and the collection of poems. It has been very hectic here, the phone hasn't stopped ringing, the e-mails continue to pour in, and interest in my little book with its big message seems to be spreading fast. Several months ago, when I started writing the first poem, I had no idea it would touch so many people near and far. Like throwing a stone into a pond, the rippling effect continues and I hope my "happy gene" spreads to you all. Wishing you good health.

Sleepless nights!

Like many Parkinson's patients, I can't sleep at night. If I do manage to fall asleep, it is only for a couple of hours, then I wake up. Trying to get back to sleep again is frustratingly difficult. Sometimes from sheer exhaustion, I will sleep a few extra hours, but sleep is always disrupted, and I now envy what I took for granted; a simple 8 hours uninterrupted deep refreshing sleep! 

The other night, I was in bed staring at the ceiling, and realising I was not going to fall asleep, I decided to get up. It was 02:30, so I tried to make as little noise as possible, trying not to disturb my family. I entered the kitchen so quietly, that I made our dog jump and for a split second she thought I was an intruder. She barked fiercely baring her teeth, scaring the living day lights out of me! I quickly talked in a gentle voice calling her name, to assure her it was just me, and not to attack. Thankfully, she realised within seconds, and stood down. Wow was she scary. I wouldn't  like to get on the wrong side of her, that's for sure. I may be chronically ill , but I clearly don't have a heart problem, for seeing a Dogue de Bordeaux ready to attack, barking, and showing those large fangs with 'shoe strings' of slobber hanging from her huge open jaw, would be enough to send some people into cardiac arrest!

Safety First

How does one know when to give up driving? It's a difficult question and a hard call to make. No one wants to lose their independence, but the thought of causing an accident, and hurting someone, makes me stop and seriously question my competence and ability. I stopped driving at night two years ago, and now only drive short distances within our little village. I have a feeling that my driving days are numbered, and it won't be long before I hand over my car keys. When one's judgment and reactions aren't as quick as they should be, and distance perception is impaired, I think it's time to call it a day. My life is changing, and I have to accept the fact. We all have to face things in life that we'd rather not, but when it comes to safety - there is nothing to debate.

Who doesn't love ice-cream?

I don't know if as we get older that one's tastes simply change, or that some of the Parkinson's medications I'm taking, are effecting my palette.

I NEVER used to eat ice-cream, and now love it. Of late, I would quite happily pass up eating a healthy nutritional meal to eat an ice-cream sundae, topped with peanuts, pieces of fudge, not forgetting the warm dark chocolate sauce liberally poured over the top. Let's face it, if you're going to be "naughty", then you may as well do it properly! I don't do anything by halves! Just in case you are wondering, I have it on very good authority, that there are absolutely no calories what so ever in this devilishly delicious decadent desert!!!! (if you believe this, you'll believe anything!)

I always used to eat water melon only at room temperature, but now thoroughly enjoy it cold straight from the fridge. Go figure!

I guess change is good, and one should embrace it, but I'd be interested to know if anyone else is experiencing similar odd changes regarding food, either due to medication, or that like me, you are no longer a spring chicken!

Have a good weekend!

Why is it on a golf course, having a "handicap" is a good thing? Being disabled, the word "handicap" doesn't summon up a positive image in my mind when playing sports. Does this mean that disabled people would feel at home on a golf course? I somehow doubt it, although I like the idea of whizzing around in one of those electric golf carts! What ever you are doing this weekend, have fun, and take time to rest, re-charge your batteries, and enjoy being with those you love. Wishing you all good health!

Getting Wheels

Getting a wheel chair was a huge step for me. Unfortunately I have reached the stage where I can no longer walk around a shopping mall, or along the promenade at the sea front, or join in on day trips with my family. My legs just don't want to know, it's like they've gone on strike, and they don't even belong to a Union! So it was either being left at "home alone" (sounds like a good title for a film!) or getting a wheelchair!  Well I wasn't about to be left out anymore, so one evening, we went to a shop along with the measurements and specifications the physiotherapist had taken for me, and the right wheelchair was chosen. Sitting in it, I felt really strange, almost surreal. I've sat in hospital wheelchairs, and at airports, but never been in a shop with the express intent on buying one for myself, to take home and keep! It took me a few days to get my head around this, but seeing it here at home, I came to terms with my new "chariot" (after all, many great ladies in history had their chariots - Helen of Troy, Boadicea, The Queen of Sheba - it's just mine doesn't come with horses!) It's been so long since I was at a shopping mall, now I have my "charriot" I can't wait to go! Although  suspect my husband's credit card is shuddering at the thought!

Lost sense

Losing my sense of smell, being one of the early signs of Parkinson's is very annoying to say the least. I used to know when a cake was ready just by using my nose. Now I have to rely very much on my kitchen timer, otherwise I would be serving my family burnt offerings. How I miss the smell of freshly baked bread that is still warm, herbs that have just been picked from the garden, the delicous intoxicating smell of chocolate, a powerful fruity bouquet of a good wine, freshly mowed grass, and smelly garlic bread strong enough to keep away the hungriest of vampires! All of us are guilty of taking things for granted, and only once they're gone, do we truly realise what we've lost. So when you smell something good today, appreciate your sense of smell.

Amazing at 97!

Visiting a Retirement Home, I met a charming lady who was 97. I watched her walk down the corridor holding tightly the handrail as she went. She was very unstable on her legs, and I couldn't help smiling at her insistence, as she held her head up high, trying to remain dignified as she wobbled ungainly making her way to the dining room. I asked a nurse who was standing next to me why this lady didn't use a walker or at the very least a cane. I was told she absolutely refuses to be seen walking with a cane. So many people I have met are too proud or vain (sometimes a little of both) to use an aid if they need one. I am half this lady's age, and I don't have a problem using a crutch. I have been walking with a crutch for four years now, and without it, I would have fallen many a time. I am unstable on my feet due to the Parkinson, and have fragile bones from the Gaucher! The last thing I need, is to fall and break a bone. Using a crutch is a necessity for me, and also makes others around me aware of my situation, causing them to pay attention, not to push, or if young children are running around, not to bump into me. If you need a cane, crutch or walker, even a wheel chair, it's for your own safety and quality of life, so just take a big breathe, and accept change, don't look at it negatively, but as a positive aid that will help you. Put your vanity and pride aside, and think about what's really important. I am quite sure this charming 97 year old lady would appear no less lovely with a cane!

Time speeding up

In today's world, we're under such stress, everything is accelerating so fast. Technology has vastly improved our lives, but often I feel we've forgotten how to appreciate the simple small things in life. Wouldn't it be nice to occasionally slow down the pace, so that one could truly enjoy and take delight in family and friends. We live by our diaries, trying to find time for people we care about, even having to squeeze in some time for ourselves. I wouldn't like to be young again, I'm perfectly happy being 48, but if I could magically slow down time, just a little, so I could fully enjoy this 'journey of life' we're all on, I would at least then be able to admire the passing scenery! So I have put aside things I have to do today, and am going to make time to have coffee with a dear friend. I hope that you can manage to do the same today.

Soft back book has arrived

Things have been pretty hectic the last few days, and we finally collected the first edition of my book in soft back copy from the printers. It looks great, and as I sit here typing to you, I am surrounded by stacks of books. So many people wanted to have an actual book, that we simply had to get it printed. The printed version has black and white pictures inside (which do not appear on the Kindle version), so anyone out there who would like a soft back copy, just press on the PayPal button on my Home Page, and you will receive one as soon as possible. Have a good day where ever you may be, and do something for 'YOU' today, that brings you joy and makes you smile!

Sitting Comfortably

Sitting in a comfortable chair is so important, whether you are ill or perfectly healthy. The settee we had was far too low for me to sit down, and nearly impossible to get out of, apart from not being very comfortable. We decided to go "chair shopping", and sat in quite a number of armchairs before choosing one that felt really good. The shape, size, angle, depth  and height, all are important factors, and I'd advise comfort over style anytime. Are you sitting comfortably? 

Tip of the day!

If you are on a lot of medication like me, you probably also have a pill box marked with the days of the week, each section holding one day's medication. However with Parkinson, and I'm sure the same applies to many diseases and their medications, pills often have to be taken at specific times during the day. To remember to take pills at unusual times, such as 11:30, or 15:30, I would sometimes forget, ending up taking the medication late! We had the brilliant idea (I expect many of you have already thought of this before we did!) of setting the alarm on my mobile phone, which goes off daily at the required times when I should take my medications. This way, I can't forget. It's been such a help and I think it's the little things like this that can make a small improvement to one's day.

Laundry

I think we have a "magic washing basket", for no sooner has it been emptied, than it magically refills itself with dirty laundry! I am no longer physically able do the laundry, so unfortunately this task now falls on my daughter.  When emptying the washing machine, we often wonder why we find only one singular sock! Where did the other matching sock go to? It's as if there's a secret sock society and one by one they disappear, or perhaps the washing machines eats them; but the weird thing is, they're never found! Does anyone else suffer from missing socks?

Time Warp

Well it is the beginning of yet another week. I am sitting here attached to the I.V. having my Gaucher replacement therapy treatment. Attached to an I.V. it is a little restricting, so I am in front of the computer, writing to you - whoever you are!  I sometimes wonder if life speeds up as one gets older - as if in some type of time warp! My life seems to be at full speed ahead right now - just hope I can keep up. So whoever you are out there, have a great day and as Spock would say, "live long and prosper"!  

Going Out

My husband and I went last night to a wonderful wedding. I love weddings, and usually would stay until the very end. Life is hard enough with daily struggles, coping with chronic disease, and even if you look in the newspapers, unfortunately there is little positive or uplifting news to read. Going to a wedding, whether family or friends, watching a young couple getting married, is a joyous occasion. An opportunity and affirmation to feel  that the future holds hope. Sadly we could not stay as long as we would have liked, as I tire very easily and the loud music and large number of people was very hard for me. This is one of the drawbacks of Parkinson's disease!

Welcome to my Blog

Something big is going on here ……it's as if I've started a journey, but simply don't know what is my destination. Things are happening in all directions, almost as if destiny or fate  has stepped in and is leading me by the hand. All this started from writing a few lines of poetry that happened to float into my mind in the middle of the night. One of my poems is entitled "Life is Strange", well it doesn't get much stranger than this! I initially wrote these poems, hoping they would give support to other sufferers. Little did I realise, that so many others could identify with what I had to say. I am overwhelmed by the wonderful positive response my book has received. It is truly heartwarming.