For the Bookshelf

Two more great finds for our Parkinson's library.  First, "Parkinson's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier" by Shelley Peterman Schwarz; I didn't think that after more than 20 years of living with PD in our home that there would be anything that we hadn't tried to make life easier...but...this book is filled with wonderful suggestions for making everyday life at home and while traveling or having an evening out, easier and there were several things that we had never heard about or considered; we will be trying some of these out shortly.  If you or a loved one is newly diagnosed with PD this book is worth every penny of the $16.95 price tag. Next, Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients & Families by William J. Weiner, M.D, Lisa M. Shulman, M.D. and Anthony E. Lang, M.D., F.R.C.P., is exactly what it claims to be: "a comprehensive resource for coping with medical, emotional and practical challenges" of Parkinson's Disease.  This book, published by Johns Hopkins University Press is the most comprehensive and up-to-date book that we have found on PD and , while it is very thorough in covering all aspects of the disease, it is very easy to read and to understand; not steeped in complex medical language and doctor talk.  If you only had one resource for your information about Parkinson's, this would be the one we would choose.

Yoga for Movement Disorders

My latest find is this DVD  designed to be a companion to the book by Renee Le Verrier (although I am using it alone).   Renee is a certified Yoga instructor and Parkinson's patient who specializes in adapting traditional poses for people with movement disorder.  This two-hour video includes: warm-up series; morning, afternoon and evening flows; sun salutation.  There are standing and seated versions of each, as well as tips concerning balance, posture, and tremor.  I am excited to begin a journey with yoga as a daily practice to improve my balance and flexibility and to help rebuid strength. I believe it will be $14.95 well spent.

The Challenges of Care Partnering

This post title is taken directly from Anne Cutter Mikkelsen's book Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to put You in the Driver's Seat .  The mailman just delivered my copy of Anne's book and I have spent much of the afternoon reading some of the chapters and purusing the recipes. The chapter titled, When a Spouse Becomes a Caregiver, by Nanette J. Davis, Ph.D. lists nine positive aspects of care partnering; she refers to these as "gifts", and they are:
     1. Having an open heart.
     2. Connecting with the generations.
     3. Expanding your coping abilities.
     4. Willingness to experience role reversal.
     5. Reinvigorating family relationships.
     6. Strengthening bonds with the community.
     7. Giving back to others.
     8. Expressing our spiritual values.
     9. The importance of self-care.

As I read about each of these I came to know how they truely are gifts to me as I face my own journey with Parkinson's.  I am reminded of the miraculous blessing it is to have a Father in Heaven who knows and loves me enough to have helped me open each of these gifts as I have cared for Don and our son, Scott, so that I would have these "present" in my life as I confront the  challenges of Parkinson's in a very personal way.  The suggestions for reducing caregiver stress are also, "gifts" I can give to myself (and Don) to bless and sustain us in the coming days.  They are:
                                   1. Start a regular and realistic exercise program.
                                   2. Strengthen your social network (know your neighbors)
                                   3. Follow a well-balanced diet (fruit/veggies/grains)
                                   4. Avoid eating or drinking too much.
                                   5. Breathe deeply throughout the day.
                                   6. Quiet your mind with meditation, yoga, reading or prayer.
                                   7. Be impassioned about your life.

My favorite "gift" is number six.  My favorite scripture is "Be still and know that I am God."  I am, after all, one of his children and he loves me and he walks with me daily.  My role is not to ask "Why?", but to ask "What do you want me to learn or teach through this experience?" Don has been a great teacher for me and we are blessed to have each other as true "care partners"...I love that phrase.

The Dodge: Guts, Glory and Living at Full Throttle

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) May 31, 2012  Artist and Chef Couple to Embark on a Guts and Glory 2, 000 Mile Road Trip Book Tour in their Classic 1941 Dodge Celebrating Transcendence over Parkinson's Disease by Living Life at Full Throttle. I just found this link and thought I'd pass it along...sounds like a good read.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9557886.htm

   Another book for my reading wishlist....

“Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to Put You in the Driver’s Seat” has been named to the Top 20 List of Books in Demand Nationwide by Libraries and Bookstores from Quality Books in the March 1, 2012 Library Journal. A “how-to” for boosting physical and emotional resilience with brain healthy nutrition, exercise, and enlightened caregiving, “Take Charge” contains more than 80 original recipes with the widest variety of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich ingredients, and culinary herbs and spices known to favorably impact the brain. Author and French trained chef, Anne Cutter Mikkelsen, shares the stirring personal story of how she and her husband, diagnosed in 1993, have discovered how to live well with PD. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012Top_20_Parkinsons/03Books/prweb9239782.htm

The Best Book on Parkinson's Treatments (written for the layman)

The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Partnering with Your Doctor to get the most from your medications by Dr. J. Eric Ahlskog of the Mayo Clinic, published in 2005 by Oxford University Press (ISBN 0195171934)
http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/0195171934/?view=usa
This book is a lot to read, but is written in layman's terms. If you really want to understand your medication options and how the medications work, this is the book for you. Just remember that it was published in 2005 and there are new treatments on the horizon every week. This really helped me understand the doctor's strategies and I was better able to communicate and participate in my care.