Happy 100

 

I wake up stiff and sore. This is what it must be like when people say they feel like they've been run over by a truck. I have difficulty propelling myself out of bed. It’s one of the few times that I truly acknowledge to myself that yes, there is pain associated with Parkinson’s. I tell myself I’m still bouncing back from my trip to the World Parkinson Congress in Scotland. After traveling for 7 days and being home for 12 days, I worry that my Parkinson’s body has no further bounce. Perhaps this is my new normal.

My husband, Tom wakes, notices me hobbling around the room and says, “I don’t know how you’ll be able to dance with the Rockyettes this afternoon.” I pause and respond “I also can’t imagine myself dancing when I feel like this. Let’s see how I function after my session with Paul and Carolyn this morning.”

I take my anti-Parkinson’s meds and within an hour, my body starts to relax. I breathe a sigh of relief. Once again, I temporarily win my battle with rigidity.

My drive over to Paul and Carolyn Zeiger’s session is without incident. I walk in and start blathering about how difficult it was traveling to Scotland and my stiffness this morning and that I hope to dance in the afternoon and... They quickly determine that I need a restorative session to calm the chaos.

Carolyn looks at my file and announces that today is my 100^th individual session.  Even I’m impressed with my perseverance. Typically I’m an impatient patient wanting instantaneous results. But there is nothing quick about finding a treatment or cure for Parkinson’s, and so I march forward.

After Carolyn works her magic with Jin Shin Jyutsu and Paul with his masterful skills in yoga, I am restored to my pre-Scotland self. My chaos is calmed. As I leave, they give me the last rose of summer as a gift in celebration of 100 sessions. I promptly forget and leave the rose there only to remember later when driving home. My chaos may be calmed, but I’m still forgetful.

In the afternoon, I dance again without incident (except for placing my Mardi Gras mask upside down which could have been an incident if I didn't notice). “Without incident” is starting to feel very good.

Thank you, Paul and Carolyn, for your fine skills and your contribution to the Parkinson’s community.

To learn more about Yoga for Those Living with Parkinson’s Disease, visit the Zeigers website at: http://www.parkinsonsyoga.org/

 

Comments

[Carolyn Zeiger]

You should indeed acknowledge yourself for your perseverance! Your energy and dedication to living well amazes us week after week, year after year. Love and blessings to you! Carolyn Z.