The first part in this series, I addressed how my ability to process information is faring. It was posted on April 10th. This, the second part will focus on the situations, words, and conditions that tend to get the symptoms of PD, i.e.rigid extremities, shuffling of the feet, poor balance, and tremors to surface, making it difficult to function.
In terms of my overall disposition, those who know me best would likely say that I am reserved, laid back, or easy going. Some may interpret that as being aloof, anti-social, or in the early stages of depression. I don't subscribe to any of those.
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| Exercise of any kind is critical to maintaining good balance and posture. |
Let me start with the first three terms. I totally agree that I am reserved in my approach to people in public. I would offer that I am actually shy when it comes to introducing myself to somebody for the first time. It's difficult for me to initiate conversation, especially since being diagnosed with PD. The past year, I have noticed a definite decline in my willingness to initiate conversation. When in a conversation, I find I am reluctant to offer long explanations on a given topic.
The fear is that I will not be able to find all the words to speak well. There have been occasions when I am talking to a friend and in the middle of a thought, I can't find a word to continue a thought or finish a sentence.
People have told me that I have a laid back, easy going personality. That translates into virtually every aspect of my existence. If I am driving in bumper to bumper traffic, in the height of rush hour, I don't feel uptight or a sense of anxiety. In the doctor or dentist office waiting room, I can honestly say I am always calm, not concerned about what I might be told.
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| Symptoms of PD are always there waiting to show themselves. Physical exercise can override those symptoms. |
I am not one to go crazy at a party...there was one exception when I was in my late twenties. The firm I worked for held an annual holiday party. At the time - late 1970's - the engineering offices I worked in was the headquarters of a global electronics company. It was common for bosses to announce, 'Let the party begin.' That was noon on the Friday before the Christmas holiday. They knew little 'work' would get done otherwise. People had liquor or wine or both in a desk drawer, ready to be opened.
The engineering staff was in full party mode within minutes after the announcement. It was common for the business unit senior executives to come out of their offices and join in the activities. It's what might be considered the 'Good old days.' I can remember spending extra time in the mens' washroom until normal feeling returned to all of my extremities...including my head.
What upsets me today?
- Feeling cornered for words in a conversation..
- Being in front of a group of people with expectations to answer questions.
- Finding my memory a total blank when asked a question about my past.
- When writing handwritten letters to friends, forgetting details of the topic I am writing about.
- Leaving the house for an appointment, meeting, or planned event and forgetting a staple item, i.e. wallet, meds for the day.
- Sitting in a room of people and hear the speaker say, 'I want everybody to introduce themselves and tell the group something about yourself.'
- An inability to control anxiety.
- Drooling unknowingly.
- Digestive issues.
- Deteriorating quality of life.
- Loss of the ability to do automatic movements...blinking.
- Seeing a person with a more advanced condition and seeing myself.
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