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Dear Joan, I am just removed from a conversation with my Uncle Ron, a veteran of the war against Parkinson's Disease as he was diagnosed 6 months after moi. He is as selfless as one can be. He always says how he thinks that I am the one who got a raw deal because of my age at onset. I think it really is one of perspective. With a chronic illness the only person who can relate the frustration and the burden of waking up every morning with the spector of another day in the shackles of PD or whatever the illeness may be is that person. No, not any other person with Parkinson's or MS or ALS or Huntington's Chorea or Wilson's Disease or Alzeimer's Disease or Cancer or AIDS or any other malady can feel the depth of depression, the isidious nature of symptoms, or walking the tightrope of asking for care and not asking too much of a care giver, is THAT PERSON. I have to remind myself that it takes just as much courage (Dennis Green you are the MAN!) to say no to Pallidotomy, Thalamotomy and Deep Brain Stimulation as it does to subject yourself to the uncertain results by going ahead with it. It does bring out the best in people. But the sad flip side of that is the state of the union on Parkinson's and other diseases. We are vigilant in our approach toward funding a cure. That is greatest hope of all. However, there is still a strong need to give these people the best possible care available. I am reminded of the treatment plan sent by Bob and Joy Graham from down under. A plan that would bring sense to a health care industry presently searching for answers through economic means instead of humanitarian values. There are people on the right track and their are people only with an agenda. I am not criticizing any of the efforts to secure funding for research, I too am in need of a cure. However, we need to use compassion, tact, savvy, ingenuity, grit, determination, resolve, reservation, calm, respect, animation , awareness, education, imagination, friendship, understanding, and love. I know I left something out but you get the idea. "I have a dream" is considered by many to be an idealogue's approach. They say you have to be pragmatic. I thought pragmatism meant to be practical. What is more practical than using the old cliche approach, "Treat others with the respect and regard that you expect from them." I am enthused about the money made available through the Morris K. Udall Act, but I implore you to remain focused on other needs while we wait for a cure. Joan, you will get advice you deserve and need from this tremendous community of communicating and collaborative souls. I'll start by asking if you have tried any anticholergenics for your tremor. There are also surgical options you can consider if you want. I wish you the best in your battle with this humbling and relentless robber of any semblence of normality. Regards, Greg Leeman 37/7 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message---- From: JoanD1234 <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, March 15, 1998 6:46 AM Subject: Tremor >I am getting more and more discouraged with my inability to control my tremor. >My present trial is with Requip. If anything, it has increased the tremor. I >am still on the Starter Kit (third week) and will see the neuro again Tuesday. >Have any of you had any difficulty stopping it cold turkey? Must I cut down >slowly? > Have any of you had a severe tremor and been able to control it with drugs? >I'm getting discouraged and feel like giving up but I can't do that because I >will still have the tremor. Up until recently it has been a tremor I could >live with, but it's not anymore. I just want to find something that works and >does not at the same time turn me into a zombie. Please help! > Thank you. >Joan >