June 2, 2018

Greetings My Friend,

This morning I woke up with brain fog so getting my thoughts together then start functioning is a huge challenge. I feel like I have a hangover although I don't drink alcohol. Yesterday we got up, got ready then went to my sister's house to visit with her and my niece. We were there a couple of hours, then we headed to Lowe's to get a light fixture for the ceiling fan, the other one quit working. I was extremely tired by the time we got home. With Parkinson's Disease it does not take long for me to wear out anymore. When we got home about 3:00 in the afternoon, I took my nap which I need in order to function anymore. I was so wore out I slept for 3 hours waking up at 6:00. I caught up the days dishes washing them by hand, took a shower, found myself tired so I laid low the rest of the night. The problem is I woke up around 3 am for a couple of hours. I used to get panicky being awake during the night, today I watch a little TV, if that does not work then I do my quiet time with God. God generally relaxes me as I read His Word then I am able to go to sleep again. God's Word quiets all the racing thoughts that come with being awake in the middle of the night, for me the thoughts are dark, sad thoughts. I was not able to make my body be active after my late nap yesterday, I have learned I need a nap, I have also learned when I nap I need to push my body so I am able to sleep at night. Chronic Fatigue is a problem most people with chronic illnesses deal with. I have to have that afternoon nap, I also need to be active for a couple of hours once I wake up so I am able to get to sleep and stay asleep. I move slow in the mornings, I am not able to get up and rush about as I did when I was a working mother. After I drink a couple of cups of tea, eat breakfast, study the Word my mind will engage, my body will function then I am able to enter into the day fully. Another problem I have with brain fog is when I get off schedule taking my PD medication, I find I struggle for the rest of the day feeling "off". PD patients need to have routines then stick with them. I have always functioned best with routines, I need them now even more so. God has placed information at my fingertips through the internet, talking with a couple of friends who have PD so I have learned ways to deal with my disease along with ways to be proactive like exercising. I have learned these brain fog moments will pass, to stick with my routine then I work my way back into functioning rather well. I am grateful for the information I have gotten, I am grateful I have been able to apply what I have learned and to be able to function fairly well. I tire easily, I have learned to work around my tiredness and I am able to take care of our home, our lives. My husband is supportive, my friends understand when I am tired and God is always near to guide me when I am not sure what to do, how to cope. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet