December 17, 2016

Greetings My Friend I searched for and found a Parkinson's site that has some interaction and advice for those of us dealing with this disease. I am learning how important it is to have a positive attitude not allowing the disease to take the joy of living from me. I learned it is important to take care of myself since often times that is something we have not done in our lives. My heart leaped for joy because Jesus is how I am able to stay positive and I have made my health a high priority letting go of stressful relationships. Next I learned how important it is to stay active, for me being active in our home is my 1st priority followed by insisting on doing my exercise routine. My new friend Sharon has pointed me in that direction as well. I have exercises I am doing along with being active and lastly I have heard or read to keep my mind active I am doing a morning Bible study on my own and staying somewhat social through church fellowship. Answers to such questions as how long does each stage last, until I will not be able to care for myself are unknown mainly because no 2 people go through PD exactly the same. I knew the answer and yet I still wanted an answer it is part of learning to let go and let God for me. Then there are the sites I have seen on the internet where people have been totally healed from PD.... I admit I lingered over the title of the subject line on the search before moving on. I already fell prey to all the talk about essential oils potentially being good enough to heal you from something. I do believe in holistic healing aids and I also believe in pharmacutlicals at the same time, I wish more doctor's would include these hoslistic ways with their practice. I see Junior and I marvel at how well he is doing considering the work he did in a chemical factory, the shape of his bad back due to amputation and heavy lifting at work. Junior has taken supplements for decades now and the Chiropractor has helped him stay mobile along with a strong constitution to work through pain. The last part I believe is his faith journey with Jesus, well all of it actually. At this stage I believe by listening to the Holy Spirit I am being guided with most of my decisions like should I or should I not take medication, which supplements to add to my regime for PD and exercise information from sources I am led to. I believe I have found a support group on line which will let me vent, ask questions and even allow me to be supportive. Being supportive is important to me as well, it is part of life's journey of faith and a desire to reach back and guide another person who is in a similar struggle. My spiritual gift is to be an encourager so the reach back is natural in many ways for me. At this point I am starting to feel in control of this disease instead of the disease controlling me. I know that eventually the disease will more than likely take over but as far as I am concerned later is better than right now. I am comforted often with God's" promise to never leave me or forsake me, to be my Shepherd and give me rest in green pastures beside still waters" All of this means I plan on being active with continuing to study God's Word, for me I love studying and learning and until recently I thought I wanted to finish college. It was not the need to study man's learning for me as much as learning to study God's Word and ways. I write a journal of my daily Bible study time and I am contemplating trying a new way to study called mapping. I have only started to look into this type of study so I am not fully versed on it as of yet. By learning a new way I believe I will keep my mind active and potentially avert dementia. At the end of the day my desire is to keep my eyes on the cross and my heart in God's hands. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet