– by Robin Dunn –
April is Parkinson’s Awareness month, and Seaside is happy to share the story of a local man living with the disease.
I have written this to shed some light on what this disease is about for me personally; if I can improve people’s understanding of how it manifests itself, I have met my goal.
It all started five years ago with a sneeze and, inexplicably, a small tremor in my right hand. When I told it to stop, it wouldn’t, then after five minutes it stopped on its own. Nothing to worry about, I thought … except it would keep happening at random. I soon resorted to sitting on my hand, but each occurrence became longer and more severe. My wife Chris soon caught on to me, so then we worried together.
After three months I saw my doctor and the diagnosis was very quick: Parkinson’s. The main course of action was to get me to a neurologist. My symptoms became worse: tremors spreading to all four limbs for longer periods (but right side was the worst), still working, but with greater difficulty. I was scared now, painfully aware that I was on a lifetime journey without a map or compass.
Without warning I would get spasms in my arms, legs and torso that could last for hours and my wife, Chris, had to repeatedly give me extra doses of my medication and then wait for another 30 minutes to see if that was now sufficient. Afterwards I was exhausted for days. I had to stop working, going onto indefinite medical leave.
After three or four months with my symptoms becoming more entrenched, I contacted Headway Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre by chance – a friend recommended them and this was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
I immediately met with my Parkinson’s counsellor. Her knowledge and empathy helped me realize that I was no longer alone and that Parkinson’s can be managed. Further counselling, together with my wife and other new Parkinson’s “recruits,” helped arm us with coping strategies and steered me towards getting treatment at the Movement Disorders Clinic at UBC. Headway continues to be a great support, providing information and help whenever needed.
At UBC, a very detailed examination immediately confirmed that yes, I had Parkinson’s, and made a change in my medication. Within two weeks my symptoms were under control and four months later I was back at work, full-time.
After four years I am still working full-time. My current symptoms include periodic, minor tremors, a left foot that keeps scuffing, some short-term memory loss, very poor balance, difficulty swallowing and losing some muscle mass. But the good news is I CAN COPE!
I have an incurable disease, but I can live with that; I take life one day at a time, look for the positives and enjoy each day for what I have going for me.
For more info visit www.headwayvictoria.com or call 250-475-6677.
