tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21511188461951984442024-03-24T16:32:24.332-07:00Parkinson's Perspectives: A Couple's StoryLiving,Loving and Learning...Don's years & Carol's days learning to live with Parkinson's Disease as patients caregivers and as a Couple...Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-75312238619668138522014-05-22T19:46:00.001-07:002014-05-22T19:46:25.751-07:00Arriving at Thriving...or How We Deal with Depression<a href="http://www.parkinson.org/Caregivers/Caregivers---On-The-Blog" target="_blank">This is the article on depression that I wrote for the National Parkinson Foundation.</a>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-70654058639049286082013-07-17T10:11:00.001-07:002013-07-17T10:22:00.021-07:00Starry Starry Night, (Vincent) Secrets of Old AgeWhat a blessing to know that this mortal, earthbound experience of our eternal life is only one of the adventures in our journey and that we will take the lessons learned and the relationships of love and friendship with us into the next leg of our journey. This is a meditation that is refreshing when the body and spirit are tired or discouraged and in need of a rest stop along the way.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FgBF3sIPm4c" width="459"></iframe><br />Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-71213348809606418292013-07-16T00:59:00.002-07:002013-07-16T00:59:48.547-07:00Jessica's Story: Moving Day, Orlando<a href="http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1160277&pg=personal&fr_id=1610">Jessica's Story: Moving Day, Orlando</a>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-32232914184889409162013-06-21T15:06:00.003-07:002013-06-21T15:06:31.917-07:00Just Swaying to the Music...and holding each other up!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> Don & Carol</span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">52 years and still dancing!</span></span></em></div>
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June 24th 2013 we will celebrate 52 years of marriage. The picture above is of us dancing at our granddaughter Alishia's wedding on June 1st 2013.</div>
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We have been blessed with 8 wonderful children; 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.</div>
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I'm not sure that you would call what we are doing, dancing, but we are swaying to the music and holding each other up.</div>
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I think that is how we have spent the last 52 years, and that is about all that any of us can do.</div>
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Our blessings are too numerous to count; we still pray that we can be of service to others.</div>
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Parkinson's has certainly slowed us down and we may not look pretty anymore, but we love being together and plan to enjoy an eternity together...swaying to the music and holding each other up!!</div>
Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-47879786998446164052013-06-20T12:47:00.000-07:002013-06-20T12:47:40.330-07:00DANCE for PD: SO MUCH FUN !! and a note about the National Parkinson's Foundation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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THE WONDERFUL MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP </div>
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THE BROOKLYN PARKINSON GROUP</div>
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This is our new FAVORITE THING!! Don and I have enrolled in the Dance for PD dance class at the Des Moines, WA Senior Acttivity Center. The classes are wonderful...IT'S FREE...New Friends...a REASON to GET OUT of the HOUSE...we enjoy the one hour drive to Des Moines and the chance to eat lunch at a restaurant...and best of all WE ARE MOVING and TOGETHER. If you know someone with a PD diagnosis please check the website at "Dance for PD" and watch clips of classes on YouTube "Why Dance for PD". <br />
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While we were in Florida for our granddaughter's wedding, we had a chance to visit with our son who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson's; he asked if we had visited the National Parkinson's Foundation website and I had to admit that I had not. I picked up my iPad and immediately searched and found so much wonderful information (don't know why I hadn't gone there before...duh!). Our son told us that he had recieved the ID braclet (Free) from contacting them and also a wonderful information kit (also Free)...we ordered two...one for me and one for Don. I was also able to link to the wesite for this fabulous Dance Program and found one in our area (1 hour away) at home in Washington...I can't tell you how much this has helped us already!! We knew we had had a workout after the first class, but felt stronger and able to move better right away. I ordered the DVD they offered for at home use even before we left Florida so it would be there when we arrived home. The other day Don's caregiver arrived at 9:00 a.m. and we were both still in bed and feeling like we wanted to stay there all day, but of course I had to get up and take care of the dog while Justina helped Don. It wasn't long before I was ready to lay down on the couch; I just wasn't moving well or feeling motivated to do anything and then I remembered that I hadn't told Justina about the dance class. I thought that she might like to see the DVD and use the program with some of her other clients, so I put it in the DVD player. It wasn't long before we had the dining room chairs out and we were doing the dances together. Two dances later and I had my ENERGY back and felt motivated to keep on moving through the day. THIS IS THE BEST THING WE HAVE DONE FOR OURSELVES and when the GRANDKIDS came yesterday they each got a chair and JOINED IN...GOOD EXERCISE for all of us and so much FUN...when their mom came to take them home they wanted to show her their favorite dances...QUALITY TIME spent together (even if it was "screen time" on the big TV). So here is the information...hope you will feel like joining us. There are many of these dance classes across the country; check out the website to see if there is one near you.</div>
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<br />Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-78925390417983017662013-05-08T22:49:00.000-07:002013-05-08T22:49:26.107-07:00Out-Foxing Parkinson's: the PaGeR STUDY....we've been invited!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsFzBMturNZ7v6meroRvYaWszZF21uUJcCbo4r9IhESUC1x1yZCBs09ri6R3S7xvkfGjEzOW4YSUeZjDA8nHnfvT7h1e2OVoCECPYdkTY6uDmHHCtq8LXhLc0DKFqIE20XDqR8gja0N8/s1600/Parkinson's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsFzBMturNZ7v6meroRvYaWszZF21uUJcCbo4r9IhESUC1x1yZCBs09ri6R3S7xvkfGjEzOW4YSUeZjDA8nHnfvT7h1e2OVoCECPYdkTY6uDmHHCtq8LXhLc0DKFqIE20XDqR8gja0N8/s1600/Parkinson's.jpg" /></a>YOU MIGHT BE INVITED TOO.....<br />
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We got our invitation today...NOT one we would have been interested in a year and a half ago, but as we all know .....THINGS change. I got a call from Erica Martinez at the University of Washington. She said that they would "love" to have our family take part in the study. I told her that I would contact all eight of our kids and give them her contact information (she already has Pamela's). Enrollment and testing takes between 1 or 2 hours, and can be done at many of the VA Medical Centers and other locations across the country...for those of us living in the Seattle area, the Puget Sound VA Med. Center on Beacon Hill is the location. If you have 2 or more members of your family who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease you can contact Erica Martinez by leaving your contact information at the PaGeR Study website <a href="http://www.thepagerstudy.org/">www.thepagerstudy.org</a> or by telephone at 206-277-4592 (in the Seattle area) or 1-855-646-4221 (toll-free) and she will contact you ; you might be invited to join us....it's what we can contribute to the research efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's...I figure it's the least I can do with a pretty bad set of circumstances....Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-71612024531453288532013-04-22T21:52:00.000-07:002013-04-22T21:52:52.993-07:00"Berry" Interesting...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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According to an article published in WebMD (<a href="http://www.webmd.com/">www.webmd.com</a>) April 5, 2012, blueberries and strawberries may <u>protect</u> against Parkinson's Disease. In a study done with 130,000 participants, who were followed for 20 years, of whom 800 developed PD, those who consumed 2 or more servings of berries a week were nearly 25% less likely to develop PD than those who ate less than one serving per month. Men appear to have benefited the most. Men who had the most flavonoids in their diet were 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who ate the least. Flavonoids are found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, especially berries and apples...also, tea and red wine.<br />
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MY COMMENT:<br />
They may not be able to say definatively that berries protect one from developing PD, but this is a GREAT excuse to have berries on your cereal or ice cream ALL YEAR round....<br />
...I'll take this kind of "medicine" any day!!<br />
Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-46939235115926503372013-04-21T17:46:00.001-07:002013-04-21T17:46:20.465-07:00Ai Chi and Water Exercise for Parkinson'sI recently came across a reference to Ai Chi (Tai Chi in the water) and became interested in it's possible benefits for Parkinson's patients. I have not tried this exercise program yet, but wanted to pass along the link for the books and CDs that I found available at aquagear.com. They are a swimming supply company online and have many books by Ruth Sova who has developed instruction materials (including CDs and DVDs) for Ai Chi. There is, also, a book available from aquagear called "Water Exercise for Parkinson's". I'm ordering some of this material and plan to help Don "get back in the water" and try some of the exercises with him. I'll keep you posted on how this all works out. If anyone has had experience with Ai Chi and Parkinson's I'd love to hear from you.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-82146546382668624202013-04-21T17:13:00.000-07:002013-04-21T17:13:01.368-07:00Archery and Parkinson's <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5xp4WgATlNk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ioh18GODcSr1By81wRfoJCf2nO5agRj5c7TCjTa6s7okvN7bRU1K-Dw0tbAnjme-lTvw9lob0WOK3gICZ2DmBlgJmKLTma6ACF3QwcSNz4VZDl1BuigKgN026koSeOT2rHwrM7e5LBQ/s1600/Don+archery+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ioh18GODcSr1By81wRfoJCf2nO5agRj5c7TCjTa6s7okvN7bRU1K-Dw0tbAnjme-lTvw9lob0WOK3gICZ2DmBlgJmKLTma6ACF3QwcSNz4VZDl1BuigKgN026koSeOT2rHwrM7e5LBQ/s1600/Don+archery+2013.jpg" /></a><br />
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Just before Christmas, Don and I were at Cabela's (one of Don's favorite hangouts) when Don decided to try out one of their youth bows to see if he could pull a 15 lb. bow and maybe be able to try target shooting again. When he enrolled at Cal State LA, low those many years ago, he found that he needed a 1 credit class. He saw some people out on an athletic field who were shooting bows at targets and he asked if this was a class...the coach told him that it was a team, but if he could shoot well enough he could sign-up for the team and receive 1 credit for participating on the team. That sounded like fun to him, and since he had done some bow hunting, he tried out and became a member of the team. So, you see, archery was like anold friend that Don hadn't seen for awhile.<br />
We bought him the 15 lb. youth bow and some arrows and he started going to the indoor range that is near our home. By mid-January it was evident that he was getting strong enough that he needed to get another bow...this time a 25 lb. recurve. Don has been going to the indoor range and shooting from his wheelchair about 3 times a week; he's made lots of friends and since I can drop him off and know that there are people around him who care and will remind him of medication times and be there to help if he needs it, I have 2-3 hours to myself; without worry. And Don will be picking up his old college bow (a 30 lb.er) next week. Archery has strengthened his right arm and given him friends; a challenge and something to look forward to having fun. Archery has beed good for both of us!! Sure beats using Thera-Bands and an upside down patio table to shoot day-old-bread balls to the ducks!!<br />
SERIOUSLY...here's proof...<br />
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Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-74380447829772720012013-04-21T15:42:00.000-07:002013-04-21T15:42:07.387-07:00...and Now We are Three...Sadly we have just learned that our 42 year old son has Parkinson's...when it comes to PD you really don't want to be just like Dad. Although, if you must have PD being like Dad in attitude isn't all bad. Don has kept his sense of humor and his determination to stay active in life. Don returned to shooting target archery (more about that in a seperate post) . We have contacted all eight of our children and our neurologist has refered us to the PaGeR study (Parkinson's Genetic Research Study). I have contacted them and left a message; hope to hear back from them soon. I'll post more about the Study and put a link to their website in the side bar. Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-67281987788902296202012-07-25T08:02:00.002-07:002012-07-25T08:03:11.126-07:00Florida: It Was SO Worth the Trip!!We just returned from a week spent with our kids and grandkids in Florida. Traveling is always a BIG Deal with Parkinson's! Packing and remembering all the things we need to take with us is exhausting even before the trip begins...Don's Meds, check; Carol's Meds, check; manual wheelchair, check; electric toothbrushes, check; extra unders, check; Living Will, check; Power of Attorney, check; walker, check; etc., etc. Oh, Yes...and a huge kite for Kami's Birthday and the "butterfly in a jar" and "firefly in a jar" that slowed us up going through security( even more than usual). We had such a good time, in spite of Don falling out of A.J.'s bed, and briefly losing his suit pants at the temple (belt too loose and no suspenders). It's way TOO HOT and HUMID in Florida this time of year, but we wouldn't have missed the long awaited Hashey Family's sealing and spending every morning in the community pool at Jessica's was refreshing. We just can't figure out how people lived in Florida before air conditioning. We missed the best week of summer (so far) in Seattle and traded it for rain and thunder storms in Tampa, but how we loved being with the kids and grandkids! Don bought Truman a bow and arrows so he can go hunting with his dad this fall; I enjoyed working two puzzles with Kami and Jessica and playing their new digital piano and listening to Kami practice. We watched Kami's dance class and A.J.'s gymnastics. They treated us to the CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Bar and Kobe, Japanese Steakhouse and a local family's grill (with the best hamburgers ever!!) and of course, we went to Chick-fil-a and breakfast-for-dinner at IHop. All of that, and the lunch with Mindy and Billy and family and friends at Olive Garden meant that we were fed and entertained like royalty. A BONUS was when we were able to volunteer for a later flight when our flight was overbooked (Thanks to Jessica for being flexible picking us up) and were rewarded with a voucher worth another trip for the two of us...Yay!! We'll be going back again next year for Alishia and Zach's wedding...in June...(oh, why couldn't they have chosen January or February?)!!Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-20728513003775895622012-07-04T01:02:00.002-07:002012-07-25T06:29:09.419-07:00Falls: Rearranging our house and lives to prevent (or accommodate) themDon has been falling a lot more these days, so today we had a visit from an Occupational Therapist to evaluate and make suggestions on how to make things around the house safer and perhaps prevent some of these falls. She made some good suggestions and we acted on a couple of them right away. We have removed the sliding glass doors from the shower (Don had fallen against them from the outside and knocked them off the bottom track); I have replaced them with a shower curtain. We still need to get another grab-bar up high near the toilet so he can hold on while he pulls his pants up. She also, strongly encouraged him to use the toilet from a seated position, only. We will also be getting a bench type shower chair so he can sit; then slide into the shower in a seated position. We plan to put the rails back on his hospital bed and re-install the trapeze so he can use it for repositioning himself in bed. We will also be looking into getting a security pole to place beside his bed to give him help in getting to a standing position when getting out of bed. We also, went to look at lift chairs and ended up buying one...it is SO COMFY and really helps him to stand from a seated position. Several months ago we had rugs and carpets removed and installed laminate wood flooring to prevent tripping. After all of this...I was just dozing off for a little nap when my cellphone rang and it was Don (he keeps his cellphone on a lanyard around his neck)....I didn't know that he had decided to go outside and bring in the trash can...he was calling me to say he was in the carport and needed help. I went out the backdoor and found him face down on the driveway; lodged between his power chair, his scooter and his manual wheelchair. He was not hurt, but just couldn't get up...I put the removable seat cushion from the wheelchair under his head and got a sleeping mat from the camping gear in the shed, to put under his knees. He tried for several minutes to get his bottom to raise up so he could get to his knees; then finally told me to get the retired Master Sargent from across the street. With the two of us, one on either side of him, we were able to get him on his feet and seated in his power chair. About a month ago he fell backwards down the back steps while I was trying to unlock the backdoor...I grabbed for him, but to no avail. He just curled up in a ball and rolled to the bottom of the steps; again, he was not hurt...but I was a wreck!<br />
He is sure cashing in on his athletic abilities/training...I'm sure if I had fallen as many times as he has, I would have broken many bones and would display many scars, at the very least. We'll keep working on all the safety options, but, honestly, Don says he can never tell when he will fall...his legs just suddenly give way and he ends up "on the deck". It's not like he gets any warning or can tell what might cause him to go down. Sitting to remain mobile is his best option now...sounds like a contradiction, but, really...it's harder to fall when you are sitting.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-16651369928996350252012-07-04T00:27:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:15:01.597-07:00BREAKING NEWS..... information about Parkinson's Clinical TrialsThe PDtrials.org website is closing as of July 3, 2012. You can sign-up to receive information from the Parkinson's organizations listed below, by going to PDtrials-Information-Request or contact David Blomquist at <a href="mailto:info@pdtrials.org">info@pdtrials.org</a> <br />
<br />
* The American Parkinson Disease Association<br />
* The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research<br />
* The National Parkinson Foundation<br />
* The Parkinson Alliance<br />
* The Parkinson's Action Network<br />
* The Parkinson's Disease Foundation<br />
* WE MOVECarol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-47697884879466767382012-06-29T00:50:00.003-07:002012-07-25T06:28:35.101-07:00Gentle Exercise for Those of Us Who Have Not Embraced the Idea of Exercise in Our LivesI purchased two more <span style="color: blue;">DVDs</span> at the same time as the Yoga DVD and they arrived yesterday. I watched both of these from the comfort of my sofa and found myself inching to the edge of the seat so I could "practice" the moves while still seated (don't want to get too commited as yet to the program I have prescribed for myself) just trying to e..a..s..e into this exercise thing. I watched<span style="color: blue;"> "Tai</span> <span style="color: blue;">Chi for balance & mobility"</span> with Scott Cole, first and found myself thinking "I can really see myself doing this!". The lady who demonstrates the routines with Scott is probably in her 80's...this is TaiChi for beginners, older adults and the physically challenged; the workout is designed to help prevent falls by improving balance, strength, flexibility and mobility. This actually looks like <span style="color: blue;">FUN</span>. The second DVD that I watched is <span style="color: blue;">"Qi Gong for Beginners,"</span> with 8 easy to follow routines called Eight Pieces of Brocade. The program is set in a beautiful outdoor setting on the banks of a river with the sounds of nature and very quieting music in the background. This is a very gentle and meditative practice, but I am anxious to incorporate this series of routines into my morning rituals. Qi Gong is designed to increase energy and vitality and reduce stress and aims to be transformational. Chris Pei took me on the most relaxing, disciplined whole-body meditational journey and I loved every moment of it...just wish I'd found this long ago. <span style="color: blue;">I want this to be a way of life for me!</span>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-1601250123734514672012-06-29T00:20:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:27:04.943-07:00For the BookshelfTwo more great finds for our Parkinson's library. First, <span style="color: magenta;">"Parkinson's Disease: 300 Tips for Making</span> <span style="color: magenta;">Life Easier"</span> 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, <span style="color: magenta;">Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for</span> <span style="color: magenta;">Patients & Families</span> 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.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-13625025458671824602012-06-22T15:42:00.002-07:002012-07-25T06:26:20.876-07:00Yoga for Movement DisordersMy latest find is this DVD <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Yoga-Movement-Disorders-Rebuilding-Flexibility/dp/1873413084/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1340404213&sr=8-2"><img alt="Product Details" class="productImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jt23z7d4L._AA115_.jpg" /></a> 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.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-46086895409982783782012-06-18T18:04:00.000-07:002012-07-25T07:04:22.513-07:00The Challenges of Care PartneringThis post title is taken directly from Anne Cutter Mikkelsen's book <u>Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to put You in the Driver's Seat</u> . 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:<br />
1. Having an open heart.<br />
2. Connecting with the generations.<br />
3. Expanding your coping abilities.<br />
4. Willingness to experience role reversal.<br />
5. Reinvigorating family relationships.<br />
6. Strengthening bonds with the community.<br />
7. Giving back to others.<br />
8. Expressing our spiritual values.<br />
9. The importance of self-care.<br />
<br />
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:<br />
1. Start a regular and realistic exercise program.<br />
2. Strengthen your social network (know your neighbors)<br />
3. Follow a well-balanced diet (fruit/veggies/grains)<br />
4. Avoid eating or drinking too much.<br />
5. Breathe deeply throughout the day.<br />
6. Quiet your mind with meditation, yoga, reading or prayer. <br />
7. Be impassioned about your life.<br />
<br />
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.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-79502728684115607192012-06-18T16:12:00.000-07:002012-07-25T07:03:22.088-07:00Yellow Birds for Parkinson's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.yellowbirdsforparkinsons.com/outsideannemike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" height="300" naturalsizeflag="3" src="http://www.yellowbirdsforparkinsons.com/outsideannemike.jpg" width="225" /></a>I've found yet another wonderful website to share with you. Just click on the link in "Favorite Blogs" (at the right) then click on "Blog" and be inspired by this couple's story!</div>
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Unfortunately, these birds are no longer available, but the example set by Mike and Anne is one that will benefit all who hear or read their story.<br />
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<br />Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-24370521360585330262012-06-18T07:09:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:30:07.502-07:00Out of the Mouths of Babes.....(meaning Grandchildren......NOT blond, curvaceous women!) <br />
<br />
Calvin: "Did Grandpa forget to take his pills?"<br />
Me: "No, He just took them."<br />
Calvin: "Oh, I guess they're just not down to his feet yet."<br />
<br />
Emma: "Look! Grandpa's hopping!"<br />
<br />
Josh, as Don tries to get his feet moving through a doorway: "Grandpa, your feet are stuttering."<br />
<br />
3 year old Meegan, sitting on the front steps; looking dejected, as Grandma and Grandpa arrive for a visit: "My life!!...it's not fair"<br />
Grandpa: "I know just how you feel, Meegan."Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-44019990392992349272012-06-18T01:31:00.002-07:002012-07-25T06:32:58.042-07:00Wobbly Williams and the TryAthletes<br />
<a href="http://wobblywilliams.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/bryn-31.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wobblywilliams.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/bryn-31.png" /></a>Just found this GREAT Blog. <a href="http://wobblywilliams/com/">http://wobblywilliams/com/</a> humour, hope and Parkinson's. This blog is out of Scotland and one of their tabs is for TryAthletes; I feel like that is the perfect way for someone of my inability/untried-ability to begin thinking about an exercise program. As the mother of an Ironman (who now claims to be a Titianium Alloy Man...since his near fatal accident that nearly severed his foot and resulted in a long plate and many screws to hold his foot together at the ankle) I have to admit that I have been totally unmotivated to do much in the way of exercise and my body is showing it. Now, since my Parkinson's diagnosis, I am convinced that I must become a TryAthlete and get myself on the adult tricycle that sits unused under the carport and get back in the swimming pool, if only with the senior water-walkers. A yoga class might be fun and I've heard that Tai-Chi is really good for balance. For the past twenty years I've encouraged Don to keep active and I've excused myself because taking him to all his appointments, etc. took up too much of my time. No more excuses, I've only been kidding myself, anyway...this is long over due! I think that the very least I can do is become a "TryAthlete".Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-39203498420202780762012-06-17T18:21:00.002-07:002012-07-25T06:33:48.238-07:00Forever Dad* (a Father's Day sonnet for Don)<br />
<br />
<h2 class="entry-title">
<a href="http://www.sonnettics.com/2012/06/16/forever-dad/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Forever Dad*">Forever Dad*</a> </h2>
<div class="entry-title">
click on Title to go to Scott's poetry website: Sonnettics</div>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> <a href="http://www.sonnettics.com/2012/06/16/forever-dad/" rel="bookmark" title="11:26 pm"><span class="entry-date">June 16, 2012</span></a> <span class="meta-sep">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="http://www.sonnettics.com/author/admin/" title="View all posts by Scott Ennis">Scott Ennis</a></span></div>
<div class="entry-content">
Much more than just some actor on a stage<br />
You’ll be a dad forever; that’s the truth<br />
I’ll always find your timely wisdom, sage<br />
A treasure that I found while in my youth<br />
I love the wisdom that my father shares<br />
He teaches me what strength and love are for<br />
I know he isn’t perfect, but he cares<br />
He gives me all he has, then gives me more!<br />
I hope that I can be as sage as him<br />
The Wise Old Owl in fatherly disguise<br />
I hope such wisdom fills me to the brim!<br />
I want to overflow with words so wise!<br />
Such thoughts of you, forever make me glad<br />
I’m happy for such thoughts, Forever Dad.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sonnettics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/11654.mp3">Forever Dad, read by Scott Ennis</a><br />
*For my Father</div>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-68081091124939236422012-06-13T14:46:00.000-07:002012-07-25T07:09:01.672-07:00My brain's writting checks that my body can't cash!<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“His brain is writing checks his body can’t cash.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dude Benson used to say, about his dad (and
my friend), Ken Benson.* I suppose there is some truth to that statement; after
all, we all have limitations imposed by accident or disease or native ability,
but I refuse to let that keep me from cashing in on the maximum effort my body <u>can</u>
deliver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone with hope has images
of a better future flash within their brain and without hope we live dismal
lives, consigning ourselves to become prisoners of our circumstances and I
never learned how to do that.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xig1LCS7bbaEyJWnsX_XXYSJKdDMz_hb8yIs3JozGOApEJ78jA5R7A3rE4Q9T1MHYIjKgWnfQZFdZgzMWkHWvBZ18k-rF7INZMuZtPhHI6ypHHuwgd5Kry1ZVHEQLbqlJRs5GHnMQzI/s1600/Don+at+La+Puerte+Hi+School+1959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xig1LCS7bbaEyJWnsX_XXYSJKdDMz_hb8yIs3JozGOApEJ78jA5R7A3rE4Q9T1MHYIjKgWnfQZFdZgzMWkHWvBZ18k-rF7INZMuZtPhHI6ypHHuwgd5Kry1ZVHEQLbqlJRs5GHnMQzI/s320/Don+at+La+Puerte+Hi+School+1959.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don (right) lifeguarding at LPHS 1959</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned to swim before I could walk and I
intend, with a fixed determination, to swim until I die.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1960 I was assigned to the Navy’s Electronics
Technician “A’ School on Treasure Island, San Francisco, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island must have been beautiful when it
was the center piece for the 1939 World’s Fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I attended Basic Electronics School,
way back in 1960, T.I. was rivaled for austerity and lack of creature comfort,
only by the other rock in the Bay: Alcatraz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We lived in pre WWII barracks; 80 to the unit, and we ate in a
substandard chow hall that tried to feed 500 hungry sailors during a staggered
2 hour block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same movie was shown
Sunday to Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trolleys ran
infrequently. There was only one way into or onto the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were unbelievably<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>isolated. There were no snack bars,
restaurants or any other form of entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was an old “gym” on the base, but the “gem” of the island was the
50 meter 8 lane swimming pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
constructed during WWII and was used to train pilots how to ditch at sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t have much room for spectator
bleachers and the 8 racing lanes were a functional mystery given the initial
intent for its use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small group of
sailors got together to form a team, but the effort would have been made in
vain had <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finn Ruska not needed a place for
training his Olympian daughter, Sylvia. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I participated in the
12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Naval District Swimming Championships in 1960 which were held
in the 50 meter pool on Treasure Island. My older brother, Walter, had come to
cheer me on and there was hardly enough room in his MG for a driver, a
passenger and my trophies. Two things can be attributed to my success: for the
first time in my life I was eating three square meals a day, and Sylvia Ruska
paced me and pressed me to achieve more with each stroke during work outs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ironically by 1987, the
Navy had moved Headquarters 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Naval District to Seattle,
Washington and just before retiring, I swam in the 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Naval District’s
Swimming Championships held at the Submarine Base Bangor, Washington and I swam
every race I had won in 1960.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t
until five years later that I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still didn’t know how and when to quit. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZweGP4fzUItQkexcoUaLL63pzl3bHS5XZDgRkaaUOHrzCs8OTgpO-4ChgPjeb6GwkFVTFa8VK27b_A0MyyLGltQ3aczgu-dWH5BmJC3dLWZGCJEsCuDTQxC71fN_s5xabm1c-f7aYSQ/s1600/Don+with+medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZweGP4fzUItQkexcoUaLL63pzl3bHS5XZDgRkaaUOHrzCs8OTgpO-4ChgPjeb6GwkFVTFa8VK27b_A0MyyLGltQ3aczgu-dWH5BmJC3dLWZGCJEsCuDTQxC71fN_s5xabm1c-f7aYSQ/s320/Don+with+medals.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 1995 we moved to Cedar City, Utah, near the campus of Southern
Utah University (SUU). I had been teaching high school electronics and math in
Washington but the progression of my Parkinson’s made it impossible for me to work
in a classroom setting, so I thought that I would work on getting my Master’s
Degree. I did not realize at the time, that new Parkinson’s meds had affected
me cognitively and I was unable to accomplish tasks that required sequential
thinking; I also began experiencing double vision and had to relinquish driving
a car to my wife, Carol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a
pretty low point for me and I found my days spent at the SUU swimming pool and
wood shop instead of in the classroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first time I swam in the Utah Summer Games, in 1996, I won eight gold
medals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the next 5 years I won
about 15 more and at one time I held 13 records in my age group, at the Utah
Summer Games.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 2002 my lower back began giving me trouble from an old
injury and my Parkinson’s made it safer for me to use a power chair at least
part of the time at home and around town.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2004 my lower back was causing me constant pain and I was
seriously disabled by Degenerative Disc Disease. After surgery on my lumbar
spine I gained considerable relief and having been out of a pool for several
months, even the therapy pool was encouraging me to imagine my return to
swimming competitively. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In March of 2006 I began having some pain in my chest and
left arm but hadn’t mentioned it to anyone until, after enjoying lunch with
Carol at one of our favorite cafés in Cedar City and stopping to browse for
treasures at one of the town’s thrift stores, I climbed into the passenger seat
of our SUV and Carol asked if there was anywhere else I wanted to go before we
headed home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly replied, “Take me
to the hospital.” Carol looked over at me and saw a pale and sweaty face and
obvious signs of pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned the
car toward Main Street and headed to the hospital, all the time asking me
questions about how long this had been going on and exactly what my symptoms
were, gathering as much information as she could in case I lost conscientiousness.
The next day I was transported to the Regional Hospital in St. George, about 40
miles away, and received two stents to open blocked arteries. As soon as the
doctor would allow it, I was back in the pool at SUU where I was a part time assistant
pool manager and enjoyed lowering myself into the pool from my Jazzy power
chair and swimming as though my Parkinson’s had been cured. I had even had to
pass the Red Cross lifesaving course before I was hired at the pool. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2007 I lost the use of my right hand, which collapsed
into a tight fist; I could only extend my fingers by prying them loose with my
left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many months later I was told
that I had ulnar nerve damage that had caused my hand to be useless to me,
especially as I tried to pull my body through the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made plastic paddles to which I strapped my
pried open hand, and I was back in the water again; this time I would not
return to competition (at least not formal racing), but, I pushed myself to
compensate for the “fist stroke”.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh4IoOd8OrvThoLe9DrGhCb9t7USV_k8edUKQJKtXGziP-GQ4pcDgPjfTqM6rOPRrwpq5JwltGFkXnJDFdXVX-QaOe59Ux00GHuEHZxhXZwFM8xuliDHggF8MbT1O6A0tcujQlT7Byuk/s1600/P1010351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSh4IoOd8OrvThoLe9DrGhCb9t7USV_k8edUKQJKtXGziP-GQ4pcDgPjfTqM6rOPRrwpq5JwltGFkXnJDFdXVX-QaOe59Ux00GHuEHZxhXZwFM8xuliDHggF8MbT1O6A0tcujQlT7Byuk/s320/P1010351.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In July of 2008 while visiting my brother, Walter, in El
Cajon, California I was working alone on a wood project and fell backward on
the driveway hitting my head and injuring my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A trip to the hospital revealed that the
Degenerative Disc Disease had done serious damage to my cervical spine, and I
underwent surgery on all the vertebrae in my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My two week visit to my brother’s was
extended to six weeks as I worked to regain function at an inpatient rehab
facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the pain of the injury
I could have imagined myself at a country club, what with the pretty
therapists, great food, big screen TV, outdoor dining at umbrella covered
tables and even golf lessons in the beautifully landscaped gardens under the
warm California sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing
missing was a swimming pool, and I couldn’t wait to get back in the water
again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In mid-September of 2009 I returned from the Submarine Reunion
in San Diego, anticipating our 50<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> high school reunion in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we drove home from the airport I mentioned
that I was tired and short of breath; Carol and our friend Delores said that it
was probably because of the trip and all the eating out that we had done. I
also mentioned that I had had some tightness in my chest before the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some discussion, we decided that if I
wasn’t feeling better in the morning I would go to the hospital and get things
checked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morning came and with it
the visit to the hospital; by then I was having real chest pain and the doctors
scheduled me for an angiogram.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
some serious artery blockage and an angioplasty was attempted but they couldn’t
get through the calcified plaque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
angioplasty was scheduled for the following day and this time the artery was dissected.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things
went from bad to worse and after three weeks in ICU during which time I “coded”
having had a massive heart attack and other complications, I was transferred to
the University of Utah Medical Center for an emergency mitral valve replacement
and bypass that saved my life. The details of this hospitalization is another
whole story, but in November I was transferred to an inpatient rehab hospital
and began a month long recovery before being sent home for Christmas. In
February of 2010 I returned to the hospital for a pacemaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, in March I was able to get back in
the water; swimming much more slowly, but happy to be in my element again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2010 we moved to Enumclaw, Washington. Then, in 2011,
after several bouts with congestive heart failure and severely diminished heart
function (25% ejection fraction), I returned to the hospital to have my
pacemaker replaced by an ICD (pacemaker with a defibrillator) so I’ve been
banished from the swimming pool again.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I had had the surgery on my back in 2004, the doctor
told me that I should be able to get about four years of benefit from the
lamonectomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s been eight years
and today I had cortisone injections in the hope that I can get enough relief
from the pain that has finally returned, to be able to get back in the pool and
back to the Cardiac Rehab Program I had started at the Seattle, VA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may only be able to “water walk” with the
Seniors at the Enumclaw City Pool, but…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…I still don’t know how
or when to quit… ...don’t want to learn either!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*see “Hanging on the Wall”, an earlier blog post</span></div>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-15672916587430687512012-06-12T01:29:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:44:00.809-07:00Don's Cradles<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWeAJN15MdJIoF-Qt8lbT0MZZ0vF5h9cQZfjne43HIkGBvdFbzT9zseNSfKeg1yKiiJ1DgfF5fEcZ-93Hz52TPM0eSuYVYU7_i7Z_E6I3VHEfBhkoEVOchjGXjtrPI8iz80rLwzUNxqs/s1600/SCAN0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWeAJN15MdJIoF-Qt8lbT0MZZ0vF5h9cQZfjne43HIkGBvdFbzT9zseNSfKeg1yKiiJ1DgfF5fEcZ-93Hz52TPM0eSuYVYU7_i7Z_E6I3VHEfBhkoEVOchjGXjtrPI8iz80rLwzUNxqs/s320/SCAN0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission Bells for Judie's Grandbabies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Every girl wants a cradle....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">....every man needs </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> meaningful work.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR5U8r0tkP867EkEJ_lvr4PC8xqLRxK3Ld9hiJ4xUm_TXBDZvcZumUP-immsKvdurVIs0AfK3E81FotBlMiKuIlCBNDaTSy0Ajdl2KKh5cKjOYL4t4_RQ8jPLG6lyTaCPHHpzdLzvKzY/s1600/SCAN0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR5U8r0tkP867EkEJ_lvr4PC8xqLRxK3Ld9hiJ4xUm_TXBDZvcZumUP-immsKvdurVIs0AfK3E81FotBlMiKuIlCBNDaTSy0Ajdl2KKh5cKjOYL4t4_RQ8jPLG6lyTaCPHHpzdLzvKzY/s200/SCAN0331.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don in his tiny shop in Cedar City, UT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt6iIkQ6ZcWdq8wyRcWHEVpdqZSgMGSjx8dbtAUvsXn6FWogYgy9dCIcbNJrOXA2QeC17kUD7GBUwd5KzqcWAUIiOqGNaifEFl7j6Isikp3onpbHbfaByxKjg2e-l3tUE_i6GvzANkN4/s1600/SCAN0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt6iIkQ6ZcWdq8wyRcWHEVpdqZSgMGSjx8dbtAUvsXn6FWogYgy9dCIcbNJrOXA2QeC17kUD7GBUwd5KzqcWAUIiOqGNaifEFl7j6Isikp3onpbHbfaByxKjg2e-l3tUE_i6GvzANkN4/s200/SCAN0329.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Brooke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-QQbyo1WczvIHUlDf0K7yNbvHFlG5gFFj9aAXEMPNaLxWWHHbabNlZNxYM-8mity7kV2JtyREWziq3FzU35GtZrGBdnK4sb-Yue5IFsKyDKCOVVNpFjrtY0tsdUzeIZaoUla6kaCKKo/s1600/SCAN0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-QQbyo1WczvIHUlDf0K7yNbvHFlG5gFFj9aAXEMPNaLxWWHHbabNlZNxYM-8mity7kV2JtyREWziq3FzU35GtZrGBdnK4sb-Yue5IFsKyDKCOVVNpFjrtY0tsdUzeIZaoUla6kaCKKo/s200/SCAN0316.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Lisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdOpwc9xT20l3lqYPXe8UtJDXPany4sP9XJ_8Pfwky76891Kfv9U9jqXMjDdYqHMsHiblt1QWNvHg0BJJjrfCGBhn9FM5TDn5YRnmuRUO_TPw7Kzdy6OGRcOreTDznZkgrydeSV8dkUM/s1600/SCAN0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdOpwc9xT20l3lqYPXe8UtJDXPany4sP9XJ_8Pfwky76891Kfv9U9jqXMjDdYqHMsHiblt1QWNvHg0BJJjrfCGBhn9FM5TDn5YRnmuRUO_TPw7Kzdy6OGRcOreTDznZkgrydeSV8dkUM/s200/SCAN0314.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Rachel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1992, he was teaching electronics and math at Auburn High School in Auburn, WA. In 1994-95 he taught on a reduced schedule, but just didn't have the stamina to keep up with the kids and the demands of the job. In June of 1995 our daughter Rachel graduated from Auburn High; we sold our bookstore and our house in Pacific, WA and moved to Utah with the two youngest girls. After working the summer at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Rachel returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and Jessica began her Junior year of high school in Cedar City, Utah. Don was trying to deal with his Parkinson's (new symptoms, new medications and a new doctor); he had met Kenny Benson who lived directly across the street and had advanced Parkinson's. Kenny was a mirror image of what Parkinson's could do to the body and what the future might bring, but he was also an inspiration (see the blog post "Hanging on the Wall"). Don watched Kenny build whirly-gigs in his little tool shed and knew that retirement, even with a disability, needed to be more stimulating if he was going to survive and thrive. By January, Don had decided to enroll in a woods class at Southern Utah University, about four blocks up the street from our house. The instructor in the woods workshop was Dr. Mike McGarvey who had just arrived from Kentucky; Don and Mike would become lifelong friends. Mike asked Don what he wanted to make in the class and Don thought that a reloading bench would be something he could use, but Dr. McGarvey said that was too big a project; so Don went home to come up with a "simpler" project. As Don and Jessica sat on the porch steps after dinner and watched the lightning play on the mountains to the east of us, Jessica said, "Daddy, would you build me a cradle?" Jessica knew that Don had built a cradle for her oldest sister, Pam and she was afraid that his Parkinson's symptoms would be too severe for that kind of a project when she was old enough to marry and have a baby. Don couldn't turn her down, so he presented the idea to Mike who thought they could find a pattern for something simple. But, Don had other ideas; he would design the cradle himself; he wanted it to be unique; a cradle just for Jessica. This was the beginning of Don's love affair with wooden cradles and his friendship with Mike McGarvey. Cradle building has kept Don happy and busy for most of the two decades since his Parkinson's diagnosis, but when we moved back to Washington two years ago, Don's symptoms had progressed to the point where using his power tools was just not safe any more. Jessica is married now and has two children who have used the cradle her Daddy built; nearly a dozen other young mothers are glad that Don and Dr. McGarvey kept the friendship and the cradle building going, to produce, with love, these beds for little sleepyheads.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8ia-Tr8ulXDGzVp0yugcZ5QPsRwrwz466_VdMEPzhKdsYoEL9UT2b1IlziUERzaTNzOlHK8U7IJxROHDd_tRBs4RBhT9vhsU_CO2YJcRXxAwA387J-04gRdw3xIq2wxmk4k7XEPrTQs/s1600/SCAN0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8ia-Tr8ulXDGzVp0yugcZ5QPsRwrwz466_VdMEPzhKdsYoEL9UT2b1IlziUERzaTNzOlHK8U7IJxROHDd_tRBs4RBhT9vhsU_CO2YJcRXxAwA387J-04gRdw3xIq2wxmk4k7XEPrTQs/s200/SCAN0326.JPG" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Misty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDEDPjIEmNz8oKf5x7DWRic2qIr-2moVFoa5QxX6CkGc2g99_2rJ-_WmcXzP2RNvUJ1Fplsfsm9-mlH_PEe-qWmd99SshtB_oqhH25XCoHAKMqObWeKTeresjUwx0MIQaP4T8sZNmJDk/s1600/SCAN0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDEDPjIEmNz8oKf5x7DWRic2qIr-2moVFoa5QxX6CkGc2g99_2rJ-_WmcXzP2RNvUJ1Fplsfsm9-mlH_PEe-qWmd99SshtB_oqhH25XCoHAKMqObWeKTeresjUwx0MIQaP4T8sZNmJDk/s200/SCAN0313.JPG" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Meegan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-32005171267049074082012-06-08T21:43:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:48:26.932-07:00Submarine Service and Parkinson's...is there a connection?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF3fAf1DkdwvlRBInontJ6zGXSZBVjlTLyQKq3wUbjBuzcDOS5CuGOMWACoUyjjUbdgHro_UrvWMlEvbCt5HQJcQ56siE9vMOJ8JPCfoNUUVg6zbjWOz2MGg7d88dvnBoyUR9MTLBQHg/s1600/sub-dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF3fAf1DkdwvlRBInontJ6zGXSZBVjlTLyQKq3wUbjBuzcDOS5CuGOMWACoUyjjUbdgHro_UrvWMlEvbCt5HQJcQ56siE9vMOJ8JPCfoNUUVg6zbjWOz2MGg7d88dvnBoyUR9MTLBQHg/s1600/sub-dolphins.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The question brings with it more questions rather than answers, but having been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 49; just five years after retiring from the U.S. Navy Submarine Service, Don can not help asking the questions.<br />
<br />
1. How many other submariners have been diagnosed with Parkinson's?<br />
2. How many have been diagnosed a a relatively young age?<br />
3. What environmental conditions might have contributed to or caused our Parkinson's?<br />
4. What about the link between Vitamin D deficiency and PD? How would 36+ months of <br />
submerged time effect the Vitamin D levels?<br />
5. How might the geographical locations of sub bases contribute to low Vitamin D levels?<br />
6. How might exposure to the amines used in the CO2 scrubbers contribute to PD?<br />
<br />
The questions continue, but it is impossible to answer any of these until we can answer question #1 and identify those individuals and gather enough data to find any common denominators and perhaps, stimulate interest in further research. <br />
<br />
If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and served in the submarine service or the bases or shipyards where submarines were maintained or serviced, please help us by leaving contact information with your comments below.Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2151118846195198444.post-91700727633379036012012-06-08T01:08:00.002-07:002012-07-25T06:52:45.241-07:00The Dodge: Guts, Glory and Living at Full Throttle<img alt="" class="newsImage" height="187" src="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2012/02/27/9557886/gI_80474_IMG_0375.jpg" width="249" /><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9557886.htm">http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9557886.htm</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://annecuttermikkelsen.com/take-charge-of-parkinsons-disease/"><img alt="Order: Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease at Amazon" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-486" height="222" src="http://annecuttermikkelsen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/book-sidebar.jpg" title="Order Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to Put YOU in the Driver’s Seat" width="150" /></a> Another book for my reading wishlist....<br />
<br />
“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. <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012Top_20_Parkinsons/03Books/prweb9239782.htm">http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012Top_20_Parkinsons/03Books/prweb9239782.htm</a>Carol and Donhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12936342259762074327noreply@blogger.com1