alf
we are fellow australians
not too many on the net but i will save your address
i live in brisbane and have not had a diagnosis yet
this list is just magnificent and gives so much support for the uncertainty
we feel
keep up the connection
judy


>From: Alf Cousins <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Thanks Guys
>Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 13:35:32 +0930
>
>(Please take note, in my parlance "Guys" is non-gender specific)
>
>What a great bunch of guys you are. It was very encouraging to hear your
>opinions and reassuring that maybe I am not the 'old hypochondriac' I was
>in
>danger of coming to believe.
>Barb, first off the mark and right on the button, yeah, of course we have
>to
>face this intrusion jointly and I'll have to find some patience to help
>Paula accept it as much as I have to.
>Jaunita, good advice, Paula isn't too patient with computers, especially
>the
>cronky old one at home! but I'm planning to get a new one in a few weeks,
>and then I'll encourage her to do some researching and talking. I think it
>may be time to take her along on my next consultation, up 'till now I've
>worried that when the Doc asks me about new symptoms, she might just chip
>in
>with a "but you've been like that for years..." Anyway, he's convinced
>about
>the diagnosis, so I guess he'll be on my side.
>Hillary, spoken from the heart, albeit it late night.... you see the
>frustration I sometimes feel. As to your new found friendship, PD isn't
>going to go away and like it or not, it will be a part of your daily lives
>together. The most desirable partner in the universe is not worth having if
>he/she can't accept and adapt to that which you cannot change. You may be
>wishing for all kinds of other good reasons for wanting this relationship,
>but in reality, having someone who can care for you especially because of
>your PD is, in my opinion, one essential pre-requisite.
>Janet, you are right, you have to follow your instincts on these things and
>take what the moment offers. Hollywood has us all sobbing on that theme,
>Mary Ann, it's nice to hear an optimistic view. You are right, PD is
>insidious and it will get worse and the impact on my loved ones will
>increase. I hope, as you imply, it will change slowly enough to allow us to
>adapt as we go.
>Audrey, yes, it will take time and it will be harder for Paula to accept
>until she sees some 'real' disability. Then I know she will switch into a
>very practical 'let's deal with this' mode.
>Camilla, you raise an interesting point. The mere probability that a cure
>may be found within a few years actually can be used as a shield to fend
>off
>the need to deal with this. Several of my friends, on hearing my situation,
>have said 'Ah, but they are going to cure this anyday" They want to
>reassure
>me but they are also walking away from the reality. I hope MJF can get the
>job done, but I remember back in the 60's, when cancer was going to be
>beaten any day....... we're winning, but we aren't done yet.
>Dick, to answer you, I have been the sole breadwinner for more than 25
>years
>and, even if Paula was able to get work (difficult when 30% of young people
>are unemployed), she wouldn't get close to quarter of the salary we've been
>living on. So, you are correct, looking to a future which is likely to rob
>us of those comfortable years after the kids leave home and before
>retirement sets in, can be a frightening prospect.
>Jennifer, how I combat this 'mourning' is by developing a curiosity about
>what is happening. I have been catapulted into this exclusive club and I'm
>going to find out some weird stuff about my body, first hand. In a morbidly
>curious way, I'm quite looking forward to it. OK try me in ten years to see
>if I still feel the same, but for now, I'm about to start out on a new
>adventure.
>Judy, I certainly will be trying to introduce the subject a little more
>with
>the family. My youngest son (15) is obviously concerned. After I told him
>what I had, a while ago, he went straight to mom to ask if I was going to
>die. Now more reassured, he keeps an eye on me "Gee, your hand is shaking
>bad today" I guess I'm very conscious that whilst they will experience my
>disease with me, I don't want that they should suffer it with me..... see
>the difference?
>
>Well that turned out to occupy my whole lunch hour but it was probably the
>most productive part of the day! When MJFox opened his web site I sent him
>a
>congratulations message (he didn't reply yet) and encouraged him to
>remember
>that PD isn't constrained by geographical, economic, political or social
>boundaries. You guys are proving that, and from my perspective, half a
>world
>away, maybe PD isn't such a bad thing if it brings out so much good in the
>human spirit.
>We'll be talking again, I'm sure.
>Alf
>Adelaide, Australia


work like you don't need the money
love like you've never been hurt
dance like nobody's watching
sing like nobody's listening

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