June 10, 2017

Greetings My Friend, My decline in health has come in stages and at times has overwhelmed me. Dr. Nichols has been awesome by taking my problems and walking with me one at a time to resolve all that has been going wrong in my body. When I am overwhelmed with so many issues at one time I attempt to deal with them all at once which only makes me crazy but we have slowly dealt with my health issues. Sleep apnea was the start of my journey, a sleep study test revealed I need a CPAP machine and the seriousness of my problem displayed itself with blackouts I was having and did not realize until I blacked out rolled down a hill and broke my vertebrae. I was dropping off to sleep and surprised when I woke up that I had drifted off to sleep when I was actually blacking out. Next I discovered I had allergy induced asthma, I was given a maintenance inhaler and singular to help dry out my lungs. Next I looked at my home and I began making it more allergy friendly like taking all the rugs out of the house, adding more air purifiers and such. Finally we started looking at why I was not able to walk well, my gait kept getting worse and MRI indicated I had Chiari, although my symptoms were mild compared to other CM patients. A few years later and many tests later it was determined that I have Parkinson's Disease. With this diagnosis I am no longer anxious or upset. The long process to the diagnosis has taken me through grieving the loss of ability to walk and be active. The diagnosis surprised me, even gave me a bit of fear but then it seems I embraced it. I am learning to live with my symptoms, manage the medications and by relying on God to guide me through each stage I have a calmness about me. I would like this disease to go away although I know it won't so I have adopted the attitude of "it is what it is" and I work hard to work within my limitations. I find a peaceful contentment living in the mountains of Virginia. I use my energy to keep the house in order, to cook, bake and put food up for winter by dehydrating. Our church has potlucks so gathering with the body of Christ fills a lot of our social needs. We have found a group of friends most of which have health problems are single and have little or no family to celebrate holidays with. We have started coming together to share the holidays with this group of special friends and we are loving it. All of this gives me peace and acceptance of being disabled. I read online about people going through their PD journey with great anxiety, anger and even fear and I marvel at my contentment. I look to God to hold my hand and walk me through each stage of this disease and I know the peace I have is not my own peace but the peace of God in my heart. He shows me frequently where He has helped me and guided me in the past so now I find that I know, that I know deep in my heart that God's got this. The PD medication has given me the ability to walk more where I don't need a wheelchair to go shopping. I am thankful that I am able to walk for awhile longer, to be on my feet in the kitchen doing what I love with cooking, baking and preparing healthy meals for Junior and I to eat. The brunt of my physical activity takes place in the kitchen which I choose instead of going to the gym. God has taught me to change my chair exercises from nighttime to during the day which allows me to relax better at night. He has taught me to drink a calming tea in the evening which quiets my thoughts and then the diffuser with essential oils helps me to get to sleep and stay asleep most nights. God has laid these things on my heart and in following His suggestions I am at peace with PD. I learned of God faithfulness with the other health trials and I know in my heart that God is not going to leave me or forsake me. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet