HI All
Well it is exactly two weeks ago since I was diagnosed. I hoped against the odds that it wasn't going to be PD.
As a lady of 43 married with a 3 year old daughter it came as a mighty blow. I have been suffering with excessive cramps in my left leg for a year and a half, and a loss of use of my left arm, which being an administrator was not good for my typing skills for at least a year.
Silly me, at first I thought the loss of use in my arm was just stiffness of the joints or something and ignored it. However, as time went on I thought this was not right and in February I finally went to see the Dr. Finally an appointment arrived to see the Neurologist in July, however two weeks prior to the appointment I found out it was cancelled and moved to mid-August. I approached the doctor who then told me his suspicions of what was causing the problems, it was the biggest shock in the world and I couldn't control my tears (even now remembering that day it brings tears to my eyes).
I went for the scans and on receipt of a letter I was copied in on I finally realised that I was really facing the possibility of PD.
The day of finally receiving that diagnosis I thought to myself I will be strong and I won't shed tears, but as you can appreciate I didn't pull it off.
Since that day I have been taking the medication prescribed, and I have to say that typing has become slightly easier, my walking has also improved.
I think that when you first get that diagnosis you think it is the end of the world, but it isn't, it moves slowly and with drug control it makes life slightly easier.
My one true fear was not for myself but for my daughter. A fear that I had passed this onto her. I know that deep down there is not a bloody thing I can do about this but just pray it has passed her by.
Being an older mother I had made a promise of taking her to Disney World when she is 7/8 years old and I plan to do that trip come hell or high water. I have promised myself I will do as much as I can do and enjoy life to the full (even if there are things I cannot do).
A friend of mine who is only 35 years old is facing a kidney transplant, her little boy is two days older than my daughter. Thinking of her and her family made me realise I can cope with this and there are a lot more people worse off in this world.
Sorry folks for rambling on, but sometimes it is easier to say things on a page then in real life (and also I wanted to test my typing lol).
Wallaby x