May 1, 2018

Greetings My Friend,

I have Parkinson's Disease, recently my legs want run all night, all through my naps which means my sleep is disturbed quite a bit. My goal whenever possible is to find something natural to help my symptoms, if I can't or if the natural does not help then I will take medication. I am grateful for online support groups because someone in the group usually has experienced my problem, offer some guidance. The other day I was done attempting to tough out the situation so I asked my online friends for ideas, I received several, one was tonic water, another magnesium. Tonic water will be my last resort since the taste is so nasty. Junior, drinks tonic water daily for his severe leg cramps. I have magnesium spry which has been very helpful for the aches and pains of life, I have used it for arthritis joint pain, muscle cramps and now for my restless legs. My legs quieted down rather quickly which I am grateful for. I may use the spray during the day as well since my legs get moments where they bounce up and down while I sit. The other day I was reading in 2Corinthians when I came across the Apostle Paul's teaching about the thorn in his side, he had asked God to take away the thorn. As I read God's statement to Paul, I found comfort in the reply. " And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." For sometime now I have felt a peace about my chronic illness, I have learned God uses me even though I am no longer able to volunteer at church, in the community. I do have a ministry of writing, being a witness when I am out shopping, taking a walk along with praying for people I see online who are in need of prayer. As a believer in Jesus I also know how I handle my life is a witness as well, as I read God's reply to Paul, I discovered how I respond to my chronic illness is a huge witness as well. Recently I found myself anxious over the loss of control in situations involving my walker. If I am in a crowded place, have to figure out how to make room for the width of the walker, I get anxious. I have started taking my dog Daisy with my, she is 7 lbs. of fur who is very still, accepting of people petting her. I can use her to balance myself when my walker is not with me at the stores to get in and out of the restroom, I snuggle her as my anxiety flares. Daisy also has become a ministry, people love to stop me talk about Daisy's sweet disposition, about their pets. When I went in for a 3 month checkup recently I told my PCP about my anxiety, she upped my dose of anxiety/depression medication which has helped me. I now am able to be out and about handling myself with confidence. I willingly discuss how PD affects me, to educate people that PD is not only the shaking so many people have. Many don't shake violently, I don't. Medications are helping me not to shake right now. Some people don't shake very much. My legs bounce way more than my hands shake. With each loss of ability I start searching for ways to continue to do things I love. I use a walker, since getting on my PD medication I am able to walk on and off for two hours at a time. Before the medication I could barely walk 10 minutes, I was using a wheelchair when we went out, I was working on strengthening my arm muscles by using a manual wheelchair, so I could be active. Now that I am on the medication I workout as much as I am able to be as active for as long as possible on my own two legs. Even though the Apostle Paul had an issue, he found ways to live the problem, to work onto the Lord. I have been given a 2nd chance which has allowed me to use my legs, I am grateful, I have work I can still do for the Lord and be a witness of His goodness to me. I am able to keep up our home, with my husband's help, I help him with some of his projects and I feel my life is full and rich. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet