Day by Day with Parkinson's and Peripheral Neuropathy

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Peripheral Neuropathy in 2006, but my symptoms seemed to take a turn in a different direction in late 2007. The current diagnosis is Essential Myoclonus. You will find record here of a my journey - coping with the testing, the medicines, nutrition, digestion problems, exercise, the emotions, and no telling what else!

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Ahhh To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

Thank goodness for Ambien. I called my Neurologist's nurse yesterday and explained the situation with Daddy. She called in the prescription, and I had a good night's sleep last night, for the first time in a week. Whew!! That felt good.

It will take me a few days to get over being so tired, I expect, but getting a good night's sleep will make a world of difference in what I can accomplish without being totally exhausted. Maybe I can even get back to practicing my Tai Chi in Daddy's living room. After going to all that trouble to learn it again, I sure don't want to forget it. And it's good for my balance and stamina, too.

I've been reading some articles lately that say Pilates is good for PWP (people with Parkinson's), so that may be the next thing I look into. I haven't been able to figure out from what I've read if these were specially modified Pilates classes or not. Of course, it would make a big difference if they were. Speaking of PWP, I've also found that Parkinson's folks call themselves Parkies. Ain't that cute? So I'm a PWP and a Parkie now.

One of the Hospice people tried unsuccessfully several times yesterday afternoon to call us from her cell phone. We live in the middle of nowhere, as far as cell coverage is concerned. "Can you hear me now" just won't work out here. In fact, we had Verizon, and dropped it, because we couldn't get it to work at all LOL. She never did come, and we never did get to talk to her, either.

I'm considering ordering DSL for here, so I don't have to depend on my cell phone while I'm on the computer. Plus, for some reason, the program our church uses for editing our website just won't let me FTP from here on dialup. It works fine at the house on DSL. I'm the church webmaster, and that has to be updated weekly.

As you may be able to tell, I'm in a pretty good mood today. It's been over a week since he fell, and we've developed somewhat of a routine. Now that I know I will be able to sleep, I feel like we can handle whatever comes, between the two of us. We've had plenty of care giving experience, and we have Hospice for support. Our daughters and church family will help where they can, and we have our faith in God to hold us in the good and the bad times. What more could we ask.

Your prayers and kind thoughts are always appreciated, too. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!

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7 Comments:

  • At 12/02/2006 7:53 PM , Blogger Marion said...

    It's amazing what a good night's sleep does for a person, DB. Life seems so much easier.

    My doctor advised Pilates for me. I do Hatha Yoga and find I enjoy it when I can do it, which is not always.

    I'm glad you had a good night's sleep!

     
  • At 12/03/2006 4:44 AM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    I had been considering Yoga, too, Marion, as there are plenty of those classes around here. I don't know enough about it to know what Hatha means, though. Easy, I hope ... LOL

    Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read my journal and comment. It's very encouraging.

     
  • At 12/03/2006 7:51 AM , Blogger Sheila said...

    Glad you were able to rest. Stress seems a big factor in Parkinson's which I didn't realize. The lack of cell-coverage in rural areas is pretty annoying since everyone seems to be communicating that way.

     
  • At 12/03/2006 9:09 AM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    I slept well again last night, too, Sheilia, and it is making a difference already. You're right, stress does play a big role in how the Parkinson's symptoms show up and how well the meds work, so it's important that I get as much rest as I can. That's why my DH is up here helping me so much. No one could ask for a better helpmete.

    I did order DSL, by the way.

     
  • At 12/03/2006 2:52 PM , Blogger Marion said...

    Ummm..I hope you are still feeling well, lol. I have tagged you, DB. Five things nobody knows about you.

    Lorna tagged me; and Matt tagged her...so I guess we can all thank Matt! heehee

     
  • At 12/03/2006 4:17 PM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    Uh Oh, Marion. Now you've done it LOL. I've never been tagged before. I've been so open about myself on this blog and on Yesterday's Memories, I'm not real sure what's left to tell that I would want to tell. I'll have to mull on this one a bit.

     
  • At 12/04/2006 4:54 AM , Blogger Dirty Butter said...

    Well, with some effort, I did come up with 5 things I was willing to share. I put the list on Yesterday's Memories, rather than this blog. Hope you don't mind.

     

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