Maybe you’ve been thinking, “Where is Perky Parkie?” I know that it has been a few weeks since I blogged and I have received many messages of concern from my amazing readers. I am sad to say that I have had a medical setback. It’s not that I’m ignoring you, or that you guys smell funny… I had to take some time to practice self-care.
It was a familiar trip to the operating room, I arrive dressed as a professional patient… hospital chic. The plan was a simple cyst removal that turned into two more surgeries under general anesthesia, within a week. You can never plan to have a medical crisis. They come up when you’re least expecting it… like a sneak attack. I had plans. My schedule was packed with a trip to be on a panel at a Neurology conference, a week of patients in the office and guest blogging for two websites, but when you get slapped in the face by a medical issue… your life comes to a standstill.
I won’t get into the gory details of the procedures, trust me, it’s not something that you would bring up at the dinner table. Although due to the many concerned friends and family, I will say that it isn’t Parkinson’s related. In fact, my PD was put on the backburner. I wish that I could say, it was a nice vacation from my symptoms, but I had a whole new set of challenges to face.
How do you know when you’re sick?
-When the big event of the day is just getting up, showering and washing your hair.
-You run out of television series to binge watch on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Cable.
-It feels like everyone in the world keeps moving, but you’re stuck quicksand.
-You wish that your dog was a trained registered nurse.
-Comfort food is on the menu at every meal… pancakes, baked potatoes, pasta, graham crackers, juice and Fro Yo at least 2 times a day… don’t think less of me, I was sick.
But one of the most interesting things I noticed was that my Parkinson’s was the last thing on my mind. Whether it’s from the fog of pain medications and anesthesia or the seriousness of my health issues, taking care of myself became the priority… I almost forgot I had PD. So much that I actually forgot my medication when I went to go see a movie with a friend. It’s almost like I have to get back into the Parkinson’s zone.
I wish I could say that I’m all recovered and back in action, but I have to face two more surgeries in the next few months. So, for now, I will take care of me, focus on one day at a time, ask for help when I need it and most importantly not feel guilty about eating Fro Yo at every meal… hey, I’m on Antibiotics… I need the live and active cultures.
Dear Perkie,
So sorry to hear about your need for surgeries. I am not afraid of much, but after PD diagnosis, going to the hospital tops the list, along with going to a convalescent facility. I highly recommend howling at the moon with your dog and wolf pack. It always makes me feel better! AUAUAUAUAAAAAAAAA!!!! -DCMP
Best idea ever! Thanks for sharing DCMP.
You have helped so many people with your blog, You have the the ability to make us smile and that is not easy for a Parkie to do. We all wish you a fast recovery and look forward to you entertaining us with your stories.
Thank you, Scott!
Hi! Your articles always have a message that seems to be made just for me. I’m diagnosed 7 years with slow onset Parkinson’s. I have been in denial until 6 months ago when symptoms started getting in the way of my life. I avoided most doctors for the past 2 years. But I was so busy with my volunteer work for military veterans, Quilts of Valor. Suddenly I’m faced with a major back surgery, and 12 months recovery time. My focus has changed, and it’s a good respite from Parkinson’s. So I’ll fight a new monster for a little while and come out better after a Time. I’m sending positive thoughts your way, thank you for all your help and humor.
Sending you all those positive thoughts right back at you Dianne!
Star Wars got it all wrong!
The movie quote is MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU when it should have been MAY THE FORCE OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE BEN WITH YOU.
Take care.
Ha! Love it!
Allison, I hate to hear this. I hope you are doing better now. I will never forget how you helped me with my DBS.
Thank you Robin. I’m feeling much better right now.
Vanessa gave me your book after our appointment was postponed, so I could have a little bit of Allison to take with me. While reading it I have been pondering how you can have something else go wrong and still stay as Perky as you do to help the rest of us. I hope you are improving and maybe getting at least one of those other surgeries out of the way by now. If you are bored I saw a program o n NOVA this week now on their website – pbs.org/NOVAWonders – 2proagrams together about Changing our Body Microbes and about Poop Transplants for Parkinsons and other diseases. Its not a pleasant thing to consider, but my niece, a PA in a GI practice in N.Y. has been successfully doing them for several years and I am getting used to the idea now. And it is hopeful.. Just watch something festive and uplifting , like the Voice, to make you laugh after it. Looking forward tp seeing you soon but only if you feel rested and relaxed. And Perky of course. .I will keep you in my prayers. Be well soon. .
Eileen, I am so sorry I had to postpone your appointment, but I am back in the office this week! Finally! I am feeling good and trying to get my energy back. I have heard about this transplant, I will check out the PBS show… thank you for the heads up! Hope to see you soon!
Glad to hear from you! Hope you are recovering.
Prayers for healing and comfort!
I wish you all the best through this period. As far as I read your blog your a warrior and I hope you’ll soon be able to blog again. Take care!
This setback won’t keep me from blogging because I’m a warrior! Love it!
I hope your better sending my love!! Hugs and Dance moves 😍😘
Thank you Julia! Sending all that love right back at you!
Missed you much? Absolutely. Imagine if you will a world facing Parkinson’s without any quirky wit or parkie humor. A world brought on by sickness of a silent nature. You’ve entered the PD Zone. Gretchen and I love you and miss you. Get better quick so you can even the balance again.
Awwwww, thank you! Miss you guys too!
Take good Care of You , thanks for the update
❤️
Hi Honey,
I’ve had symptoms of PD since 2012. I also obtained my Reiki Master certification in 2012. So…6 years later & Im almost 60…..still considered young onset. Last summer I re-Discovered Abraham-Hicks teachings. Here is one of her many excerps availabe on You Tube from her Workshops. I’ve always been a positive person and actually just started a new job in January (good step….in stress refuction)👍
My philoosophy remains to NOT OWN this diagnosis (even tho I currently have a damaged peroneal insertion point in my right foot….caused by dystonia making me walk on the right side of my foot). So as each annoyance related to PD presents itself….I do what is necessary to correct the situation best I can. Im used to being a very fast paced walker (comes from working in healthcare y whole life) ….So I must figure put how to walk slower.
Anyhow….sharing this link to Abraham-Hicks….you can search her You Tubes for virtually any subject. I listen to her daily to Keep my Vibration high. Love herconcepts on “cellular conciousness”…..(all the cells of our body have the ability to return to a state of well being).
Hope it helps❤️
Deb Anderson
https://youtu.be/kc6uX4TB7RY
Wishing you a speedy recovery, and make sure you make you, your perky priority 👍
Hi Perkie – Thanks for the update as I was very concerned about you and kept checking your blogs for some news. I am sorry to learn about you health crisis and wish you a speedy recovery from your upcoming surgeries. Like so many other readers of your posts, you are an inspiration to me and I appreciate your taking the time and effort to maintain two blogs. Wishing you a future of all the Fro – Yo you can eat!
Thank you for your well wishes.
I heard about a new procedure involving a fro yo IV, but maybe that is still in trials?
Ohhhh yesss! I’m going to have to look into that trial. 😜🍦
I hope you recover quickly. We all missed you in LA. Hugs
Missed you guys too!
Feel better soon!
Thank you 😊
I am so sorry to hear that you have been having so many medical issues. I have been missing your posts but just figured you were super busy. Wishing you all the best and prayers for a speedy recovery from all of your past and upcoming surgeries. Although I have never had a Froyo before my Mom swears that if you are sick ice cream will cure anything. I assume a Froyo must be healthier than ice cream so eat as much as you want. Much love and thank you for sharing your journey with us all! Feel better soon!
Thank you for your well wishes… but forget my health issues… you’ve got to go get yourself some Fro Yo! Go! Now! 😉
I feel for you and what you have been through and what you have yet to go through. I hope and pray that all goes extremely well and that you have the best of medical care. Get yourself a nice big bucket of your favorite FRO-YO and relax and take it as easy as you want to for as long as you need to. God Bless
Thank you for your kind words Tim!
Thinking about you Allison💕❤️😍
Awww, Thank you Chris! Miss you my friend. 😘😘
I’m about to get my DBS surgery next week and found your blog as part of my research about all this process. I was diagnosed at the age of 31 and I just turned 40 this year, so I really connect with your posts. You’re an inspiration. Hope you get through this soon and feel better. Let me share this beautiful song that found me somehow. Hope you like it https://youtu.be/LjF9IqvXDjYl
Enid, you’re right around my age and diagnosis date. I know it can be scary to face DBS, but I hope everything goes great. You got this! Keep us posted on your progress. I will check out your song.
You take care of yourself Supergirl and all the fro-yo you want. Thanks for the view outside your window. I stared at it a long time. Missing you and other friends
Thank you PM. Miss you my friend.
Including you in my prayers, asking God to comfort you and heal you. Time to take a break and take care!
Thank you Glenda! Sometimes resting can be challenging for me.
Wishing you all the best and hoping for a quick recovery with each procedure. And I wish for lots of FroYo for you …….and while I’m wishing maybe some for me too 😘
Ha! Fro Yo makes everything better
The how you know when your sick is spot on! I had pneumonia last year & that’s exactly how it was! Hoping for the bes with your upcoming surgeries!
Thank you Teri!
Hi Allison. I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery and that you will overcome this challenge as you have done so many times in your life. You are strong and an inspiration to me, and always cheered me up when I read your blogs
Chris, thank you for your kind words.