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A little over a year ago I decided to find out what was wrong. When I was
worried about visiting Kristen's parents because I was having trouble with
forks, I did something about it. My family doctor said I couldn't possibly
have two nerve disorders and refered me to a neurologist. The neuro was
honest and said it was beyond his area of knowledge then refered me to a
specialist in nerve disfunction. The second neuro asked me a lot of
questions, all the while counting blinks (I did not know this at the time).
He gave me some pills (sinemet) and scheduled some tests. I had had one of
those tests before (EMG) and was not happy. Fourty eight hours later (give
or take a few) Kristen said "welcome back". I thought she had lost it. My
boss said "your smileing again, what happened?" I knew the world had gone
bonkers. Then I got scared. Why? The shaking was gone, I had an excess
amount of energy, and I no longer had to fight to sit upright. Two weeks
later, the tests. The doctors and I were surprised. I could pick those silly
little things and put them in the cup fairly easily. By anyone else's
standards I failed the strength test. But two weeks earlier I could not have
budged those weights. They took blood and saved the worst for last. Ever had
an EMG? The second time around is no better. "Come back in two weeks", they
said.
Two weeks passed, the meds were begining to even out.
"No new nerve damage, but you have Parkinsons. Add eldepryl to your meds and
good luck." That's it? I've got a new problem and all you say is good luck?
I'd heard of Parkinsons, but what is it? How long have I got?
Time passes slowly when you don't know and are scared.
But I had a new tool and new how to use it...the internet.
I searched, and found out what I needed to know.
First, that I have time. Next, I am not alone. And third,
it's just another challange. I've basicly lived one day at a time most of my
life and most of my life has been "how can I work around this?" So what's
new? Hey, if I can float down a river (yes a real one with rapids) leaving
my wheelchair behind, I can deal with this. So, almost a year later, thanks
to some new friends (and some old ones) I'm getting a grip on things. I have
a few more ups and downs then before, but things are begining to level out.
Thanks.