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I'm sure the very small readership of this blog has long ago given up on any sort of regular posting, almost certainly given up entirely. I apologise to those few, hitherto loyal, readers and trust that you might have stumbled upon this very rare post! I won't promise to post with my previous zeal but I will endeavour to get something on here every month (or two!). The reasons for my shocking lack of effort will become apparent if you read on.
I'd always felt very sorry for my dad when he retired in his early sixties, only to almost immediately be diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He battled on and did some part time locum work for a couple of years, but was afflicted with a devastating, fast-progressing version of the disease that ultimately claimed his life by the time he was 67.
Cass and I retired when we were in our late 50s and basked in our decision and found ourselves in the fortunate position of not needing to work on. We were grateful, and keen to embrace our freedom and make the most of our new leisure time. Unfortunately, soon after, I was diagnosed with mid-range prostate cancer and elected to have my prostate removed. The operation was successful and I continue to be cancer free with only mild side effects ongoing. So, hurrah, bullet dodged!
One day, eating my breakfast, the hand holding my spoon started to beat a staccato against the wall of the bowl. I joked with Cass that, "Oh, looks like I've got Parkinson's, too!" We were a few weeks away from embarking on a magical trip to the Middle East, so I went to the GP and he was wary of committing to a diagnosis and referred me to a neurologist. That appointment was the day after we arrived home. After shaking all over Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Türkiye it was no surprise to be diagnosed upon our return. It's been an interesting ride ever since!
Fast forward to today. I'm about to be assessed for DBS (deep brain stimulation), a type of brain surgery, as an annoying symptom I've developed (cervical dystonia) has restricted my ability to do most activities. Basically, I find myself capable of swimming or going to an exercise class for an hour or so a day, then I need to have my head supported for most of the remainder of the day. I'm in my "default position" right now writing this: sitting on the lounge with my head supported by a pillow to stop it arching backwards.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the relief a successful operation might bring. There are other symptoms that I have that I never knew were associated with Parkinson's (sorry dad!). I'm socially anxious, have drugs to calm my night terrors, have almost lost my sense of smell and I have a sensitivity to noise. My gait is slightly compromised, I have a lack of expression and, of course, I shake and lock certain muscles in flex as the regular levodopa wears off between doses. The fact that it is a degenerative, incurable disease also weighs heavily in a psychological sense, some times more than others.
So, there you have it! Re-reading this sounds a bit maudlin, but I'm pretty upbeat most of the time and Cassy is an amazing support for me in every way. I know I'm incredibly lucky to have had an amazing life and I haven't really had any real challenges until now. Let's face it, I could be living in much more dire situations in many places around the globe at the moment and I'm acutely aware of that.
Wow, January was the last post? I've been so slack! Sue and Duncan "enjoyed" the back end of the Knight's year when we were unable to go, soldiering through some terrible rainy days at times to be great supporters. Cass has gone with her mum to many ACO and Musica Viva concerts as well as out to lunch on occasions and meeting up periodically with Kristin (her sister) as well. Cass and Valerie went to South Australia (Kangaroo Island the highlight) for a special holiday and Cass also met up with her good friend Kristin in Sydney and the Blue Mountains when Kristin was visiting from Taipei on her annual big break. We managed to visit Ross and Ains in their Queenstown "batch" for a few days in April and the highlight was a special birthday present to us from them, a giddy flight to Milford Sound (seat next to the pilot form as the birthday boy!) and a spectacular day cruise. We were so spoilt by them and they catered for my spasticity so generously!
Ok, that will do for now. I'm pleased that I've "outed" myself, it was getting a little awkward not to mention the elephant in the blog! Photos: MJ the Musical (awesome!), birthday lunches, monthly coffee catchups with the boys and the last photo is my exercise physiologist, Jenny. She's a former two time Olympian (middle distance running) and I'm slightly in awe each week when I attend her class!