Peaches & Cream

There are certain things that go so well together, it's as if they were made for each other, like peaches and cream, baked beans on toast, roast lamb with mint sauce, and peas and carrots. I could go on for the list is endless, but I think you get the idea. Certain things put together create a delightful partnership and a memorable flavour, sometimes reminding one of fuzzy warm childhood memories or being somewhere special. The same however, cannot be said about Gaucher and Parkinson's. A more unfitting duo and unpleasant combination would be hard to find. The two diseases exacerbate each other, like two toddlers arguing over the same toy, my body is playing a "tug of war" as the symptoms battle against one another each day.

Do you remember as a child playing at a friend's house, suddenly the interest and enjoyment would wane, and the familiar phrase "I don’t want to play any more" strongly indicating to the adults present, it was time to go home? What a shame this principle doesn't apply to Parkinson's, for no matter how I protest, it just won't get the hint and leave. Having lived with Parkinson's for over 7 years, I've had enough and don't want to play any more!

I had an uncle who when he felt guests had overstayed their welcome, had no qualms in making it plainly clear to all, it was time to leave. He'd stand up with an air of authority say: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" a more subtle suggestion I can't think of, even if rather rude, it had the desired effect. The same cannot be said about Parkinson's. I would take great delight, demanding Parkinson's immediate departure, and allow the door to slam in its face as it disappears. No doubt millions of others who suffer the indignities of this disease, would also rejoice in waving Parkinson's a final farewell.

So meanwhile around the globe we all wait, keeping ourselves busy, doing what we can to maintain mobility and stay as well as possible, many advocating, participating in support groups and events bringing us together in our joint cause, scouring the Internet for news, raising awareness and funds for research and development; waiting and hoping for the day a new medication is found to stop Parkinson's in its tracks. Better still, a cure, that once and for all will send Parkinson's on it's way, with a one way ticket to nowhere. Now is not the time to give up but to forge ahead, with strength of conviction and resolved determination, pulling resources together we'll triumph! Then life would be peaches and cream!

My article this week in The Huffington Post is entitled "What makes my blood boil". No one is perfect, and sometimes we are pushed to the very edge.