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mary anne that was so well expressed and supportive of a difficult situation judy >From: Mary Ann Ryan <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: doubting Thomas >Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 08:54:34 -0400 > >But I notice changes which I also read about in forums like this > > one, like vivid dreams, blurred vision, loss of smell, and so on. I have >to > > say, I'm acutely aware of becoming a hypochondriac (-you know, the best >way > > to make your family ill? > Alf > > >Shucks, Alf, I'm 50....er....something and I haven't had any of your >symptoms. Has it occurred to you that your wife might be in denial?? >Denial makes it easier for her to deal with your diagnosis for now. >Eventually, when your symptoms become more severe, you'll have to watch her >go through the whole gamut of the mourning process. You are not the only >one to have PD - your entire family has to deal with the disease as well, >and - because the symptoms are insidious, will blame you for not 'getting >your act together' and of being a hypochondriac. I would like to suggest >that the next time your wife accuses your age for your symptoms that you >stop her cold by saying, "No. I'm not that old. I'm feeling this change >in >my body and I know it's not normal." Sometimes a simple statement of fact >works the best. In this way you'll slowly bring your wife to the reality >of >your illness. > >Please be prepared for her to be angry. That's normal too. Expect tears >and some anxiety as well - she has no idea what her future will be, and >that's scary. > >Having said that, I'd like to share that my husband got PD when he was >forty >and just retired at 60. His symptoms have increased gradually over a >twenty >year period, but we have learned to cope and adjust as he has changed. PD >is a bad disease, but it leaves it's victims with a sound mind and an >ability to share in life's journey. I continue to rely on my husband's >judgement and input in planning our future. Your wife needs to understand >that her future isn't as bleak as she is imagining - and neither is your's. >----- >God bless >Mary Ann (CG Jamie 60/20) ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com