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Dear Laura, I am 55 and was diagnosed with PD at age 51. I left the practice of law about a year before and joined the Peace Corps (a decades long dream). I looked foreward to my 2 years in the Peace Corps and then seeing the world and having many adventures. After one of my fellow volunteers noticed my unnatural movements while jogging and another commented on my crooked smile, I was diagnosed with PD. I was in shock and numb. I stayed numb for several months. I tried to finish my tour in the Peace Corps, but my heart wasn't in it and I left early. Since then I met and married a wonderful and beautiful lady who is a nurse. I found that the support of a loved one is the most important medicine. I still feel cheated. These were suppose to be the years of retirement and adventure that I worked for over many years. I find I'm happiest when I keep myself occupied. I'm taking oil painting and furniture and cabinet making classes at the community college and have taken other courses since leaving the Peace Corps. I find that while I'm engaged in classes or practicing those skills, I'm happiest. (I had absolutely no previous experience in art or cabinetry before PD). So, I suggest that you keep yourself busy. Maintain contact with your friends and family. I've read messages on the utoronto website from people who have had PD for 25 years that are very articulate and tell me these people are still active and sharp. I certainly miss the old me, but I know I've got some more years ahead of me that I can still enjoy doing things and learning. I can't say that I'm optomistic about a cure in the next ten years, but who knows? By reading the messages on this website, I am aware that progress is being made in increasing the knowledge database about the disease. Even when a new therapy doesn't work, it means one less failure out of the way. Remember the story about Edison trying so many different materials for his light bulb before he got the right one. Les Combs Las Vegas, NV ----- Original Message ----- From: "Laura Kreisler" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 8:31 PM Subject: New List Member > Hello, > > I am Laura, I am a 47 year old accountant with two grown children and a > beautiful grandson, and I was diagnosed with PD four months ago. I have > however, had symptoms for five years and I suppose I wanted to be able to > deny that there was a real problem. > > For the last three years my family physician was treating me for essential > tremor (common among PWP I now read.) This last year I have begun to have > many symptoms that I did not realize were related. I spent most of the year > thinking "I'm not that old, I can't be having this many problems." My > husband has been quite distraught about the tremor and then the dragging > foot and I finally asked the Dr. "I know the two are not related to each > other, but my husband wanted me to ask?" He then asked if I wanted to go to > a Neuro and I said I guess it would make my husband happy. I was sure there > wasn't anything really wrong, just many little things. > > When the Neuro told me she suspected I had PD, I remained very calm. And > even after her many tests and the confirmation that I have PD I did not > think much of it. I also didn't tell anyone except by immediate family. > Finally at New Years we decided to tell our extended family, some friends > and my co workers. Once I told people it really hit me hard and I guess I > have finally accepted it. The worst part is that in accepting the reality > of PD I have become much more stressed and the symptoms are much more > pronounced. > > I am happy to join the list so that I can "hear" what other PWPs have to say > and how you are all dealing with PD. This is probably the most I have > "spoken" about it. > > Thank you for allowing me to be included in the list. > > Laura > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn