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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 ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com