Recently, my family and I ventured north of our home in Ajax, Ont., to the Bruce Peninsula to go hiking at Greigs Caves. The website for this natural attraction describes 10 limestone caves nestled in an environment of peace and tranquillitybut also warns, with a caution sign on its home page, that the trail is challenging.My family wasnt always into hiking. Like so many others, wandering the outdoors, and even traipsing around in the winter snow, is a hobby we adopted during the pandemic. It was a way for us to get out of the house and be together as a family. It also had a happy side effect of helping my Parkinsons disease symptoms by improving my balance and mobility, and reducing my slowness and rigidity.Theres a misconception that Parkinsons is an old persons affliction. But this neurodegenerative disease, which 25 Canadians are diagnosed with each day, knows no boundaries in terms of age, ethnicity, race or geographic location.(Related:Wheres Your Head At?)I was only 28 when I noticed a tremor in my right pinky finger. I had just finished my residency and was starting a new family practice. I was also pregnant with my first child, and as a physician, I knew my symptoms were not pregnancy related.When I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, my initial reaction was denial. I spent the first decade of my diagnosis busying myself with busyness to avoid dealing with the disease. I would look at my day, and if I had pediatric vaccinations scheduled, Id time my Parkinsons medications accordingly so I wasnt shaking while administering shots. I wanted to do my job without Parkinsons interfering. But that can only last so long.Parkinsons is a neurodegenerative disease, meaning its a brain disease that gets progressively worseand since theres no cure, the only thing you can do is manage your quality of life. I was a bad patient, as many physicians are, and eventually, I reached a point where that wasnt an option anymore. I wasnt sleeping. I was overmedicating, trying to control my symptoms, as well as the numerous drug side effects. I had gone from happy-go-lucky to pessimistic.My neurologist told me I had a choice: I could either walk out of my office or crawl out, but I couldnt keep going this way. Thats when I made the decision to retire early and focus on my health and family.(Related:What Happens When Doctors Don’t Listen to Patients)My Parkinsons still progressed, but I made more of an effort to manage my disease. I started eating more fruits and vegetables, and fewer processed foods, which isgenerally recommendedfor patients with Parkinson’s (though exact nutrition plans vary based on an individual’s symptoms and medication side effects).I began exercising regularly, doing not only cardio training but also weights for strength and to prevent bone thinning, which often happens with Parkinsons. I took up yoga for flexibility. I have fallen into a routine to the point where if I missed a workout, I would feel noticeably worse.For many of the 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinsons, the pandemic threatened these routines. Since retiring, I have focused on advocacy and education, working with multiple organizations, including Parkinson Canada and the recently created PD Avengers, a global alliance of advocates striving to end this disease. While conducting webinars and speaking events, I heard from numerous people experiencing anxiety related to loneliness and isolation, challenges accessing their medical team or issues maintaining their fitness during lockdown.Im fortunate I wasnt impacted in the same way. Two of my daughters returned home from university during the pandemic, so for the first time in a long time, all three of my girls were home. The house wasnt a quiet, isolating place. Actually, its been a lot of fun. On any given evening, wed be cooking, playing board games or watching movies together. Sure, there were times when we got on one anothers nerveswere not immune to thatbut knowing we were in the situation together made us tighter as a family.(Related:First Person: I Knew Something Was Wrong, But Neurologists Were Telling Me I Was Fine)Weve always been open about my Parkinsons, but in the past, I tried to shield my kids from a lot of my symptoms. If I wasnt well enough to go out or play games, I would push through anyway. I didnt want my disease to impact their lives.With all of us living together during the pandemic, my girls and I had conversations that wouldnt typically happen over the phone or when theyre just home for the weekend. It was eye-opening to hear what its been like for them to have a parent with Parkinsons and to learn that by hiding those weak moments, they felt I wasnt being open with them.On our hike up to the caves, there were steep inclines and loose rocks, obstacles that can trip up my balance. There were a few points, looking at the trail ahead, when I thought, I dont know if I can do this. But I kept my head down, watched my footing and powered throughand when my mental fortitude wavered, my family stepped in. My daughters intuitively knew when I could use a hand to physically pull me across up the terrain, and they cheered me on, saying, You can do this! Just one more step!When my family and I reached the top of the trail, I stood in the shade of the cave and looked out onto the lush forest greenery. I felt powerful. As I watched my girls exploring the paths nearby, I realized there was no obstaclebe it loose pebbles or the progression of my Parkinsonswe couldnt overcome.Next, learn how the pandemic affected eight women’s mental health.
The post How The Pandemic Started New Conversations About My Parkinson’s appeared first on Best Health Magazine Canada.
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