hi all

At 20:40 1999/09/18 -0700, linda wrote:
>Sherry;
>Well, I too would like to put in my two cents (oh what the heck let's go
>for the gusto and make it three cents!).  I was officially diagnosed
>August 1994 and like so many, had symptoms for some years prior to dx.
>I was 45 at the time of dx.
>
>There are a lot of similarities with us and of course being the
>"Designer Disease" we are also very uniquely individual in symptoms,
>progress etc.  This list has played a very important part in my
>attitude, education and decision making.
>
>The most important benefit of this list for me has been education!!!!
>The saying that knowledge is power, in this case is very appropriate!!
>I have learned so much and with that learning it has been a opening door
>to better relationship with my doctors.  I continue to education them!
>I agree with Barbara Patterson when she said the most knowledgeable
>would live the longest!  The other very very important thing is how to
>take your meds, not just which meds, as important as that is, you could
>be taking the right meds but not in the dosage or intervals needed and
>therefore not get the results you should. Barb Mullett as far as I can
>say..was and is very instrumental in improving my quality of life
>through her help in how to take meds.  I won't say this exactly as she
>did nor with the wonderful humor she expresses (aw shucks she is saying)
>but, she explained that we are all like a chemical soup so to speak.
>Each one of us different in  our chemical makeup.  At the time, I was
>taking two Sinemet 25/100's 3 times per day and experiencing a lot of on
>and offs.  But she explained that it is important to experiment how much
>and how often you take your meds.  I ended up taking 1 every two hours
>and found a more constant response to my meds.  Thanks Barb.  My meds
>have changed but not my methods.  Thanks again.  As was mentioned by
>Art, I am one of those many that have responded to you that are not one
>of the regulars!  I am a fairly regular reader of these posts, but, have
>not interacted much.  What all of you don't know is how much I speak to
>others about you and how much I appreciate everyone on this list. God
>Bless You All!
>
>I would also like to emphasize the attitude/outlook issue.  Boy, what a
>difference it has made in my life!  Back in June I celebrated my 50th
>birthday and the exciting thing is I look at it as the beginning of the
>second half of my life!!!!  Yes, life is different than I would have
>expected but, hey it isn't all that bad either!!! I have learned
>wonderful lessons and am improving who I am.  I am not sure that would
>have happened if things had been different.  Life is the
>focus..........None of us are guaranteed another breath but, thank God I
>am still breathing....It is funny how different our perspective is when
>we see our frailties.  All humans are handicapped to some degree, just
>some of us are more obvious than others. Life is truly what we make of
>it.  Don't get me wrong, I get depressed more than I like, I don't know
>how I am going to feel from day to day but.....It still ain't all that
>bad, thanks to God, my friends and family and of course my this list
>family!!!!!!!!!!!.
>
>One more thing, I would like to mention something about doctors before I
>end this post. Remember that they are only human, they provide a service
>that you pay for and therefore you should be satisfied with whom you
>spend your money. Interview them, make a list of questions, tell them
>what you expect from them and ask if they are willing and/or able to
>fulfill your needs.  This is your life and you deserve to have excellent
>care (not perfect, but excellent).  If not satisfied try try again.
>Blessings to all of you
>Linda
>[log in to unmask]

linda, what a pleasure it is to hear from you
and what a great example you set!
them's the best three cents i've seen in a long time!

[er... is that canadian or us?]

janet

janet paterson
52 now / 41 dx / 37 onset
613 256 8340 po box 171 almonte ontario canada K0A 1A0
a new voice: <http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/6263/>
<[log in to unmask]>