A Journey of One Day #14 Notes

February 11, 2011          Notes

Well I’m finally feeling well enough to think. I’ve had a four week long battle with the cough and cold crud. Today is the first day I have no runny nose or cough.

Now that my virus is clearing up I can see major improvements in my motor function. As I stated before having a virus in your body uses dopamine to fight it. In the last few days, I have been able to almost completely dress and undress myself. It’s still very slow, but I can do it. I can get up and down from a sitting position much easier, move around a bit more while laying down, and I’m not as fatigued. Today I felt so good that I did all the sales reports for the vending business on the computer.  I need very little pain medication now. I still get a few body spasms and shakes in the early morning hours, but they are not bad. I’m swallowing easier and today I could actually lift a cup to drink instead of using a straw. My speech is still a bit slow and slurred, but it is getting a stronger tone to it. I'm sleeping pretty well at night, getting up only once.

Tomorrow will the nine-week mark of no PD drugs and thirteen weeks from the time I started tapering the drugs. This is all in keeping with the experiences that were recorded in the Parkinsons Recovery Project. However, I think mine is going much better than expected, according to the time line. I think it could take another few months for me to recover fully. One thing, that is a wonderful thing to get back, is just to be able to relax my muscles. I still have some balance issues but I am walking steadier now and taking bigger steps.

I have ventured out twice to church in the last three weeks. Once to Stake Conference, and once to see my grandaughter, Afton’s, blessing. I even walked up to the stand and bore my testimony. Being around people too much is still very tiring. Even though I am seeing improvements, it’s still going to be important for me to stay home and focus on me. In another two weeks, I may try to start driving Ariana to and from school. Another Mom from her school has been doing this for me all this time.

I’ve done a lot today and now I’m feeling tired, but it felt good to do something rather than lay or sit. It is working. I’m still hopeful.