Reading other blogs can be painful for me. I used to write for a living but it was legal writing -- very dry, few adjectives other than confrontational ones.
Boy, can some of these bloggers write! Novelist, journalist-like writing! My blog posts pale in comparison. I just put it out there; I so wish I could be flowery and descriptive but I can't. Stick with me, people! I do make sense most of the time despite my lack of pithiness.
Anyway, the countdown continues. 274 days. I've picked up my training in light of my upcoming trip to Arizona to hike with my Everest companion/buddy Rick. He apparently lives near some decent mountains so we're going to begin the altitude thing. Rick's going to learn what it's like to hike with a Parkinson's person! Slow going, I must say.
Videos are on their way (I just KNOW you've been holding your breath). Took some time off over the holidays but now that I'm in the year-of-the-trek I'm ready to go. Enjoy the weekend (Go 'Skins!!).
Showing posts with label summit4stemcell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summit4stemcell. Show all posts
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Parkinson's sucks
Parkinson's. Sucks. Really. To quote former Vice President (can you believe it!?) Dan Quayle, "what a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."
Yeah, what he said. Sorta.
Yeah, what he said. Sorta.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I think I've told you that I'm a retired lawyer, right? Well, I'd
like to tell you about the last weeks and months of my job and how
desperately I tried to hang on while I was losing my memory and
measurable control over my body.
Parkinson's does weird things to people. There's no set of symptoms that applies to everyone. Tremors, a shuffling walk, and dementia are probably the ones you've heard about. There are many others though, and some Parkinson's patients only have one or two symptoms. I have about five, which are @ 90% controlled on medication except for one: my short term memory. It's @ 50% there, which is an improvement! I work very hard to keep what I have. I do various "brain exercises" every day -- puzzles, easy math, matching games, that sort of thing. I talk to myself, which drives my family nuts. But it's my way of taking notes -- if I walk around and repeat to myself what I need to do it helps me remember. My husband and kids have a rule -- if I don't specifically say their names I'm not talking to them. It saves time!
My first PD symptoms, as I've told you, occurred in 2008 about a year before I was diagnosed. I had movement and balance issues and of those, the balance was most significant. I fell a lot. I began carrying a cane and I sometimes used a walker. But honestly, when it came to work that wasn't such a big deal. Frighteningly, I was beginning to lose my short term memory. At first it was small things, like leaving my glasses, keys, or a pen somewhere. But as the months went along, and my physical symptoms got worse or new ones appeared, my memory loss became more significant.
I was a trial lawyer, and I litigated patent infringement cases. That requires a lot of brain power, as you can imagine. BPD (before Parkinson's Disease) it was a very difficult job to begin with. It helps if you're an engineer -- I wasn't, I was a nurse. I had many lawyer/engineer friends who spent time teaching me the way of patents. With a lot of effort I gradually got comfortable with the language, theories, and ideas of patent litigation and I truly liked my job.
When my PD symptoms started to appear in 2008 I thought I was just over-worked and tired. At work, I started to forget things; not like "where did I leave my glasses" but "what is that thingamajig next to the doohickie" (referring to a patent, of course). I've always been a pretty likable person so I relied on that to cover up what I feared was a serious problem.
As the months went on it became nearly impossible to use my "scintillating personality" to cover up my memory loss. Patent litigation is an intense, high stakes field of law. It requires a sharp mind that can withstand 60+ hour work weeks and loads of travel. I knew I was losing it but I frantically tried to hold on. I wasn't dedicated to my career, it was a means to and end. I had to work and I saw it quickly slipping through my hands.
One event that stands out is an early morning deposition I had to take in Taiwan, which is exactly 12 hours later than Eastern Standard Time. When you're in a completely different time zone naturally you get a little messed up. But what I experienced was worse than that. I began the deposition and I could remember absolutely nothing about the patent at issue. Nothing. There I am, staring at the witness trying very hard to remember what I was supposed to ask him, when my savior -- my associate who accompanied me to Taiwan -- stepped in. He started handing me notes and documents that were intended to jar my memory. To this day I'm grateful to him for saving me from near panic and meltdown.
After I returned home my work situation started on a rapid downhill slide. The harder I tried, the more I forgot. I knew that it was becoming obvious to everyone -- I imagine they thought I was just stupid. I was finally diagnosed with PD in August 2009. I retired the next day. I have to tell you, it was such a big relief. Have you ever had a dream where you go take a final exam but you've never been to the class? I lived that. It was the most frightening time in my life. To not have that hanging around my shoulders anymore is blissful.
As I sit here today I think back on what I used to do and I cannot fathom being able to ever do it again. Heck, I can't read books anymore! I can't remember what I've read, so the thing never makes any sense to me. But you know what? You find new things you enjoy. Me? I've found my artsy-craftsy side. I knit, needlepoint, and crochet. I love making silk flower arrangements, wreaths, and what nots. The craft stores are my new besties. At least there's one part of my brain that's still alive and kicking!
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
Parkinson's does weird things to people. There's no set of symptoms that applies to everyone. Tremors, a shuffling walk, and dementia are probably the ones you've heard about. There are many others though, and some Parkinson's patients only have one or two symptoms. I have about five, which are @ 90% controlled on medication except for one: my short term memory. It's @ 50% there, which is an improvement! I work very hard to keep what I have. I do various "brain exercises" every day -- puzzles, easy math, matching games, that sort of thing. I talk to myself, which drives my family nuts. But it's my way of taking notes -- if I walk around and repeat to myself what I need to do it helps me remember. My husband and kids have a rule -- if I don't specifically say their names I'm not talking to them. It saves time!
My first PD symptoms, as I've told you, occurred in 2008 about a year before I was diagnosed. I had movement and balance issues and of those, the balance was most significant. I fell a lot. I began carrying a cane and I sometimes used a walker. But honestly, when it came to work that wasn't such a big deal. Frighteningly, I was beginning to lose my short term memory. At first it was small things, like leaving my glasses, keys, or a pen somewhere. But as the months went along, and my physical symptoms got worse or new ones appeared, my memory loss became more significant.
I was a trial lawyer, and I litigated patent infringement cases. That requires a lot of brain power, as you can imagine. BPD (before Parkinson's Disease) it was a very difficult job to begin with. It helps if you're an engineer -- I wasn't, I was a nurse. I had many lawyer/engineer friends who spent time teaching me the way of patents. With a lot of effort I gradually got comfortable with the language, theories, and ideas of patent litigation and I truly liked my job.
When my PD symptoms started to appear in 2008 I thought I was just over-worked and tired. At work, I started to forget things; not like "where did I leave my glasses" but "what is that thingamajig next to the doohickie" (referring to a patent, of course). I've always been a pretty likable person so I relied on that to cover up what I feared was a serious problem.
As the months went on it became nearly impossible to use my "scintillating personality" to cover up my memory loss. Patent litigation is an intense, high stakes field of law. It requires a sharp mind that can withstand 60+ hour work weeks and loads of travel. I knew I was losing it but I frantically tried to hold on. I wasn't dedicated to my career, it was a means to and end. I had to work and I saw it quickly slipping through my hands.
One event that stands out is an early morning deposition I had to take in Taiwan, which is exactly 12 hours later than Eastern Standard Time. When you're in a completely different time zone naturally you get a little messed up. But what I experienced was worse than that. I began the deposition and I could remember absolutely nothing about the patent at issue. Nothing. There I am, staring at the witness trying very hard to remember what I was supposed to ask him, when my savior -- my associate who accompanied me to Taiwan -- stepped in. He started handing me notes and documents that were intended to jar my memory. To this day I'm grateful to him for saving me from near panic and meltdown.
After I returned home my work situation started on a rapid downhill slide. The harder I tried, the more I forgot. I knew that it was becoming obvious to everyone -- I imagine they thought I was just stupid. I was finally diagnosed with PD in August 2009. I retired the next day. I have to tell you, it was such a big relief. Have you ever had a dream where you go take a final exam but you've never been to the class? I lived that. It was the most frightening time in my life. To not have that hanging around my shoulders anymore is blissful.
As I sit here today I think back on what I used to do and I cannot fathom being able to ever do it again. Heck, I can't read books anymore! I can't remember what I've read, so the thing never makes any sense to me. But you know what? You find new things you enjoy. Me? I've found my artsy-craftsy side. I knit, needlepoint, and crochet. I love making silk flower arrangements, wreaths, and what nots. The craft stores are my new besties. At least there's one part of my brain that's still alive and kicking!
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Am I Really Going To Do This?????
For those of us in the know: "EBC" is Everest Base Camp. 5365 meters: 17,601.71. Oooooo.....
Monday, November 19, 2012
Having a video camera pointed at you while you are trying to work out isn't fun! The obstacle course my trainer set up looks easy, but believe me when balance is an issue it becomes a challenge! The good news is, I did it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYcZ3W5b6jE
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I will be climbing with my friend Rick, we have known each other since we were kids. When I mentioned the climb to Rick he asked if he could come with me...I shocked and thrilled that he too wanted to climb for a cause. This photograph was taken in San Diego when I went out to meet tour the lab at Scripps Clinic.
I've known Rick since grammar school. We grew up in the same neighborhood. In fact, Rick was my first boyfriend in 5th grade! When I told Rick about my Everest trip he told me -- get this -- that Base Camp had been on his bucket list since college! Two old friends who haven't lived in the same town for over 35 years, who saw each other at high school reunions, who occasionally chatted on Facebook. Our bucket list was exactly the same! (Oh, yeah -- the handsome guy on the right is Brian, another friend from grammar school!)
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
We can reach beyond are limitations. I too have Parkinson's, I have also had breast cancer twice (my last chemo treatment was in April of 2012). I have always had a dream to visit Base Camp at Mount Everest, in October 2013 my dream will become a reality as I join Summit4StemCell on their quest to climb for a cause. I am so excited, words cannot express how much I look forward to this trek.
Some thought this was impossible, given my medical history. We all need to reach beyond our limitations and not let Parkinson's rule our lives.
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
Some thought this was impossible, given my medical history. We all need to reach beyond our limitations and not let Parkinson's rule our lives.
©Evelyn Heilbrunn
all rights reserved
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