Life with Parkinson's Post #1

I am a 47 year old woman, born in the United States of America, my parents are divorced, I've been divorced, raised a family, live a middle class life. I am remarried, very happy with my husband. We now have a grandaughter. We work, recreate, take pride in our family and home. We attend church, drive cars with a lot of miles on them, pinch pennies, go on dates. We have two aging cats, outrageous energy bills, and cell phones. It sounds like a typical American life. It isn't for my husband and me. I have Parkinson's Disease; I have for 8 years.

At first I tried very hard to hide it. Eventually it was impossible. I found that people, even close acquaintances didn't know how to talk to me about it; very uncomfortable for them. Every day had become a mission for survival; survival of my personality and God given talents, survival of my feelings, of my dreams, survival of my body, face and hands.

Early on a neurologist told me I would never get better and to accept the reality of my situation. There was no way I could accept something so ludicrous. I never have, to this day, seriously resigned myself to a life of disability called 'Parkinson's'!

However, every day it still hits me like a ton of bricks. They tell me I have Parkinson's.......not me? Then I feel my slow moving fingers and stiff body. Yet, every day these symptoms leave my body and go to some unknown place. And I experience life like most everyone else; at least for a few hours. You can bet I make the most of those few hours!

My purpose here is sharing with anyone interested how I do what I do...live a mostly 'normal' life and maintain a diagnosis of Parkinson's. It might surprise you. So as my days go forward I will be sharing my daily efforts, failures, triumphs, and most importantly my glorious hours of freedom of movement.

A Hill Gathering

I traveled to Utah over Ariana's spring break to work on our duplex. Scott, Abram, Ben and Noah all came down to do yard work for me. They worked hard and the yard looked great. Here is Scott and Abram near the end of the day.

Then we went to Grandpa and Grandma Hills for a visit before they embark on their journey to Nauvoo. It was also a celebration of all birthdays for the next 6 months.

Abram, Ben, Luke, Liesel, Noah, Helen

Leland, Lorrie, Blaine, Kris

Helen, Andru

Aliyha, Gayla, Liesel, Heidi, Erica

Helen, Tracy, Lorrie

Jaxon, Natalie

..cute glasses....

Party Talking..












... don't forget the ice cream...

...now lounging.

Then, everyone was good enough to accomodate my picture taking and got together in the front yard for these great pictures!

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The Hill Crew such as we are.

We missed those of you who were not with us. Taken on April 11, 2009 at Grandma and Grandpa's house; the final gathering there.

Life would not be life for 'Hills' without crazy pictures. I, for one, missed Don's crazy face...

April in Utah

Our unforgettable time in Utah!!

Picture time with Grandma before Easter celebrations at Uncle Devan and Aunt Taelor's house.

More playtime before dinner.

Brielle thought the day was ok.

Things were getting better.




What a party, Dad!

There's always time for a picture with Aunt Clair.

Nichole and Ariana looked 'pretty in pink'!

Chad and Clair chillin on the couch...

It was a beautiful day!

Nichole and Brielle came to see us while I was painting at the duplex.

I loved Brielle's tongue....maybe she'll take after her mom who liked to show her tongue in pictures too. Brielle's little tongue matches her cute cheeks.. And Auntie Ariana is a natural with Brielle.

Midweek, we got to visit with my Grandpa Hill and Grandma Cherrel. He is 90 and just starting to show his age. Cherrel is his 3rd wive and she takes tender care of him. It was so special to me to give my grandparents a hug one more time. Just think...I've known my Grandpa for 47 years!!

Grandma Cherrel calls him 'handsome'

I am so happy to have been able to take our 5 generation picture. Thank you, Nichole, for coming so far with little B. This picture is priceless.

Brielle was happy to meet her great, great grandparents.

We went down to Lehi and spent the night with Nichole and Brielle. Chase was working so we didn't get to see him until the next morning.

We enjoyed Brielle's dinner experience

.... and her quiet time on the big, comfy couch.

We were the first to see the test run on Brielle's new 'Mommy Pack'. Nichole was planning an outing to see the baby animals at Thanksgiving Point. Brielle gave her seal of approval by giving Grandma a finger in her mouth for the camera!

Auntie Ariana and little B in one more pose together.

Nearing the end of my week, I stepped out into a cold morning after a snowfall the previous evening. It took me back 30 years when I did the same thing every day as I walked to school. The crisp, mountain air and beauty of these rugged peaks was payment for my weeks work.

Morning sun on the mountains.

Morning view of snowy mountains. Sunrise!

The moon is always there to keep us balanced. It seemed to beckon to me this particular morning and said, "I'm a constant in the changing nature of the world".

Blossoms were everywhere, a sure sign of spring.

And only in Utah will you see frost on the daffodils in April!

What a trip. Exhausting, fulfilling, priceless.

Patty Cake with Brielle

I forgot how fun 'patty cake' is! Brielle was impressed too.