• What Happened to November?

    Wow, here it is December already.  What happened to the month of November?  It seems to have just flown by along with my good intentions to post at least every 2 -3 weeks.  Ah well, you know apathy is another symptom of Parkinson’s 🙂   I started working on a post a couple of weeks ago planning to expand on my last post about the Kripalu Retreat experience but then I discovered that one of the other attendees was working on a similar project and I happily received permission to link to her post instead of reinventing the wheel as we used to say back in the day’s before retirement. So I invite you to follow Barbara’s Ramblings!  Barb has done a great job of summarizing the opening session and the PD101 session with Dr. Houghton and she has laid out the other topics which she plans to also summarize as time permits. Thanks Barb!  (Update 10/1/2017 – Barb’s Blog is no longer being maintained so links removed)

    One thing we have been continuing since the Retreat is listening to Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation CD from Jennifer Reis, one of the instructors at Kripalu.  We play it almost every night and have found it to promote deep relaxation and sound sleep.

    This month I purchased an indoor bike trainer so I can bike inside this winter.  Bicycling has been shown to be beneficial for PWP so I plan on biking at least 3 days a week.   I haven’t been on a bike in probably 5 years so I have already discovered that my rear end and the seat need to get reacquainted! We are still walking when the weather permits and we dropped our time to 35 minutes recently which is close to where it was last year.

    Speaking of exercise, it’s time to sign up for the 2014 Mary-thon. I mentioned this event in a previous post.  This is a great way to stay motivated to exercise.  You pledge to exercise 30 minutes 5 days a week for 26 weeks.  Running is not required, any form of exercise will do and this year you get a pedometer, access to Hannah’s Gym and weekly emails with your registration and $10 goes to the Project Linus organization which provides blankets to kids in traumatic situations.   Go to www.mary-thon.net for more information and to sign up.

    This month brings my first Physical Therapy appointment, a visit to the Neurologist and, of course, the Christmas Holidays. I plan on another post before the holidays, but just in case we wish you all a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season!

  • Kripalu Wellness Retreat

     
    We have returned from a most informative and relaxing week at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Heath. The Healthy Living Immersion Program conducted in conjunction with the National Parkinson Foundation was absolutely amazing.

     

    This wellness retreat for recently diagnosed PWP’s and their caregivers included sessions with a leading Movement Disorder Specialist, along with sessions about exercise, relationships, nutrition, and resilience led by experts in the field.  And we had various yoga, yoga dance and meditation sessions in addition to the yoga offered daily at Kripalu.  Oh and did I mention the food? We enjoyed wonderful healthy meals every day in the cafeteria all made from organic and local foods.

     

    I will go into more detail in the next post, but first what is Kripalu?  Seems like a simple question but I don’t think you can fully understand the Kripalu experience until you spend some time there.   Here is part of the description from the Kripalu website:
    Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to empowering people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. For more than 30 years, Kripalu (kri-PAH-loo) has been teaching skills for optimal living through education for the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. (Emphasis added) It is the largest and most established retreat center for yoga, health, and holistic living in North America.

    While it is definitely a center for the practice of yoga, the key statement is in bold above, “…teaching skills for optimal living for the whole person…”  As you will see throughout this series of posts, we learned much more than the benefit of yoga during our retreat.
    One of the best things we learned during our retreat was we are not alone in dealing with Parkinson’s.  There were about 70 attendees and we and the instructors quickly bonded as a group even though we had never met before and each of us had different symptoms and different issues to deal with.  We left with a strong sense of community, a 5 page list of email addresses and phone numbers for staying in touch and lots of good information and ideas for dealing with Parkinson’s.

    Without a doubt this was the best gift we could have given ourselves at this time in our lives.  I can’t say enough good things about our experience but I’ll try in the next post 🙂

  • Staying Motivated to Exercise

    Here we are showing off our medals (and our Beat Parkinson’s TShirts) from this year’s Mary-thon.  What is a Mary-thon you might ask? The Mary-thon is a 26 week exercise program developed by Mary Balagna, vice president of the National ProjectLinus organization.

    The idea of the Mary-thon is you commit to exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week for 26 weeks.  You don’t have to run or walk for 30 minutes you just need to complete 30 minutes of exercise.

    We like to get out and walk for our exercise and I keep track of our time on a simple spreadsheet showing our time for the days of the week for 26 weeks.  Since we usually walk the same path through the park next door, when my times started getting slower this year, it was yet another indicator that something was amiss. On the plus side the times have been going down since I started  the medication which indicates it is helping reduce the rigidity and slowness.

    Mara and I both volunteer for the local Project Linus Chapter. Project Linus is a volunteer organization with chapters across the US that give handmade blankets and afghans to children who are seriously ill or otherwise traumatized. When you sign up for the Mary-thon, a portion of your registration fee goes to Project Linus. In addition you get a work book with all types of exercise routines that will meet the 30 minute time frame and fit your ability level. Mary sends weekly emails with encouraging words to help keep you on track and if  you complete the Mary-thon you receive a medal. .

    Many studies have been completed that show that exercise is essential for People with Parkinson’s (PwP), in fact last week at the Third World Parkinson’s Congress  held in Montreal, Canada one of the bloggers in attendance said that many of the sessions mention exercise as essential to optimizing daily life with Parkinson’s.  But getting motivated to exercise regularly is not easy even if you don’t have Parkinson’s so consider joining next years Mary-thon.  

    Of course 26 weeks is only half the year so you can sign up for the Ultra Mary-thon and do another 26 weeks to finish out the year.  If you are looking for an exercise program which is specifically designed for PwP, check out the new program available from the Davis Phinney Foundation.  The program includes a free DVD with PwP particpants showing you how to do the exercises.  A booklet is also available with the exercise information in written form.  You can request a free DVD at the Davis Phinney Foundation website by clicking here.  We have been trying to do the stretching exercises most mornings and both of us have noticed some improvement in flexibility especially our necks. I look forward to trying the exercises when we are unable to get out for out daily walk.

    We just returned from two nice days at our favorite Smokey Mountain destination, The Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, TN.  The plan was to visit the Great Smokey National Park, but congress apparently thought it would be better to shut down the government, including clinical trials, instead. But we had a great relaxing time and two wonderful meals at the lodge.  Next weekend we head up to the retreat at Kripalu Resort in Massachusetts followed by a chance to meet with some friends from New Hampshire.  Should be a great experience!

Join PD Avengers & Let’s End PD!

Last  month  marked the 7th anniversary of my official “you have Parkinson’s Disease” diagnosis from my first neurologist.   During the past 7 years  I’ve become very knowledgeable about PD, discovered tennis, turned into an exercise junkie to help slow the progression of my PD,  and moved to Florida.

Meanwhile, after 200 + years Levadopa/Carbidopa, discovered 50 years ago, continues to be the main treatment for the symptoms of PD.  A lot of research has been done trying to identify the cause of PD and a number of new medications have been developed to deal with the symptoms of PD but the cure remains elusive.  The recent book “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” pointed out that PD is fast becoming  pandemic and action needs to be taken to end PD. You can read my blog post about the book here.

Inspired by the book and it’s proposed PACT (Prevent,Advocate, Care, Treat)  a worldwide group of PD advocates have formed PD Avengers to advocate for ending Parkinson’s.  They want to unite 50 million voices world wide to prove PD matters and to build a sense of urgency to end Parkinson’s.  I have added my voice and have become a PD Avenger and I hope you will too!  You can find out more information and add your voice at PDAdvengers.com.  Together we can END PARKINSON’S!!

Join PD Avengers & Let’s End PD!

Last  month  marked the 7th anniversary of my official “you have Parkinson’s Disease” diagnosis from my first neurologist.   During the past 7 years  I’ve become very knowledgeable about PD, discovered tennis, turned into an exercise junkie to help slow the progression of my PD,  and moved to Florida.

Meanwhile, after 200 + years Levadopa/Carbidopa, discovered 50 years ago, continues to be the main treatment for the symptoms of PD.  A lot of research has been done trying to identify the cause of PD and a number of new medications have been developed to deal with the symptoms of PD but the cure remains elusive.  The recent book “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” pointed out that PD is fast becoming  pandemic and action needs to be taken to end PD. You can read my blog post about the book here.

Inspired by the book and it’s proposed PACT (Prevent,Advocate, Care, Treat)  a worldwide group of PD advocates have formed PD Avengers to advocate for ending Parkinson’s.  They want to unite 50 million voices world wide to prove PD matters and to build a sense of urgency to end Parkinson’s.  I have added my voice and have become a PD Avenger and I hope you will too!  You can find out more information and add your voice at PDAdvengers.com.  Together we can END PARKINSON’S!!

Year: 2020

  • Join PD Avengers & Let’s End PD!

    Last  month  marked the 7th anniversary of my official “you have Parkinson’s Disease” diagnosis from my first neurologist.   During the past 7 years  I’ve become very knowledgeable about PD, discovered tennis, turned into an exercise junkie to help slow the progression of my PD,  and moved to Florida.

    Meanwhile, after 200 + years Levadopa/Carbidopa, discovered 50 years ago, continues to be the main treatment for the symptoms of PD.  A lot of research has been done trying to identify the cause of PD and a number of new medications have been developed to deal with the symptoms of PD but the cure remains elusive.  The recent book “Ending Parkinson’s Disease” pointed out that PD is fast becoming  pandemic and action needs to be taken to end PD. You can read my blog post about the book here.

    Inspired by the book and it’s proposed PACT (Prevent,Advocate, Care, Treat)  a worldwide group of PD advocates have formed PD Avengers to advocate for ending Parkinson’s.  They want to unite 50 million voices world wide to prove PD matters and to build a sense of urgency to end Parkinson’s.  I have added my voice and have become a PD Avenger and I hope you will too!  You can find out more information and add your voice at PDAdvengers.com.  Together we can END PARKINSON’S!!

  • Sample Posts #4

    Sample Posts #4

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    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit duis tristique. Nunc consequat interdum varius sit amet mattis vulputate enim. Faucibus et molestie ac feugiat sed lectus vestibulum mattis. Massa sed elementum tempus egestas sed sed. Nunc consequat interdum varius sit amet. Neque vitae tempus quam pellentesque nec. Cursus metus aliquam eleifend mi. Eu scelerisque felis imperdiet proin fermentum leo vel orci. Quam elementum pulvinar etiam non quam lacus suspendisse faucibus interdum. Non enim praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla. Nisi vitae suscipit tellus mauris a diam maecenas sed. Lorem sed risus ultricies tristique nulla. Elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla. Ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti. Diam in arcu cursus euismod quis viverra. Mattis vulputate enim nulla aliquet porttitor. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing. Libero id faucibus nisl tincidunt eget nullam non. Libero nunc consequat interdum varius.

  • Sample Post #3

    Sample Post #3

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Gravida dictum fusce ut placerat. Convallis aenean et tortor at. Mauris sit amet massa vitae. A condimentum vitae sapien pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et. Malesuada nunc vel risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus. Magnis dis parturient montes nascetur ridiculus. Volutpat sed cras ornare arcu dui vivamus arcu felis. Neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus in. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus. At volutpat diam ut venenatis tellus in metus vulputate.

    Fermentum et sollicitudin ac orci phasellus egestas tellus. Amet dictum sit amet justo donec enim. Iaculis nunc sed augue lacus viverra vitae. Pharetra pharetra massa massa ultricies mi quis hendrerit dolor magna. Vel fringilla est ullamcorper eget nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam. Nisi porta lorem mollis aliquam ut porttitor. Vel turpis nunc eget lorem dolor. Lacinia quis vel eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus. Mi sit amet mauris commodo quis imperdiet. Porta nibh venenatis cras sed felis. Phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend donec pretium vulputate sapien nec sagittis. Volutpat ac tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus nulla.

    At tellus at urna condimentum mattis pellentesque. Arcu non sodales neque sodales. Tincidunt ornare massa eget egestas. Ut tortor pretium viverra suspendisse potenti nullam ac tortor vitae. Vestibulum rhoncus est pellentesque elit ullamcorper dignissim. Donec adipiscing tristique risus nec feugiat in. Ut ornare lectus sit amet. Hendrerit dolor magna eget est lorem. Ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida dictum fusce. Ultricies leo integer malesuada nunc vel risus commodo viverra. Mauris in aliquam sem fringilla. Fermentum odio eu feugiat pretium.

    Tellus in metus vulputate eu scelerisque felis imperdiet proin. Eu ultrices vitae auctor eu augue ut lectus. Enim sed faucibus turpis in eu. Hac habitasse platea dictumst quisque sagittis purus. Justo laoreet sit amet cursus. Lobortis mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat. Mauris pharetra et ultrices neque ornare aenean euismod elementum nisi. Lectus sit amet est placerat. Vulputate enim nulla aliquet porttitor lacus luctus accumsan. Odio pellentesque diam volutpat commodo sed egestas. Sapien eget mi proin sed libero. Ut placerat orci nulla pellentesque. Mi quis hendrerit dolor magna eget est. Nunc scelerisque viverra mauris in aliquam. Sapien faucibus et molestie ac feugiat sed lectus vestibulum mattis. Odio ut enim blandit volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit. Cras sed felis eget velit aliquet sagittis id consectetur purus. Porta nibh venenatis cras sed felis eget velit. Imperdiet proin fermentum leo vel. Tempus egestas sed sed risus pretium quam vulputate dignissim suspendisse.

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