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Bianca Molle Blog Radio Show
I hope this goes through as I post it. This is the lady who recovered completely from Parkinsons symptoms. She attributes it to the practice of Qigong. Everyone is different when it comes down to healing of the self. Tjis radio blog is about an hour long I think. I wish you all good health.
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Bianca Molle
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Jun 13 2011
Metamorphsis: Shakin’ to Awaken
Published by admin under Parkinsons Recovery,Qigong,symptom free
The following essay by Bianca Molle is a true inspiration for all of us. Bianca is my guest on the radio show this week which airs at 3 pm pacific time (6 pm eastern) in Wednesday, June 15, 2011.
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
Metamorphosis: Shakin’ to Awaken
By Bianca (Blanche) Molle
(Originally presented 9/24/10, at The Marin County, California Civic Center)
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly” -proverb
I found a refrigerator magnet with that lovely proverb while waiting in line at Whole Foods shortly after I had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. That saying became my mantra. I needed it to be my mantra because something told me that I could find some good in my situation. What was my situation?
For a number of years I had felt pain and extreme fatigue. Of course, I wasn’t getting any younger, and teaching middle school requires so much energy in the classroom, and grading and planning in the ‘off hours,’ that I thought this was just a sign that I was ready to retire. And my handwriting had become so small and cramped that my students could no longer decipher the very cogent, insightful comments I was writing on their papers. Also, I had demonstrated a tremor that had gone from almost negligible to formidable over the past few years. When it got in the way of one of my favorite activities, eating, particularly eating soup, I went to see my first neurologist.
So, in April, 2008, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and began a program of treatment medications shortly after my retirement that June. I was taking Sinemet 25/100, the dopamine drug, three times a day, and Requip once daily. After a while, my symptoms began to worsen. I had the option of increasing my meds, something I did not want to do. What I was really looking for was relief from the chronic pain. I could continually feel the muscles in my spine and arms and shoulders contract. Also, navigating stairs became a cumbersome endeavor, feeling like I had sandbags strapped to my arms and legs as I tried to make my way up to the bedroom.
Although I found myself increasingly inactive, it’s not like I took m situation lying down. In the first year after my diagnosis I was proactive about research and treatment. I saw two neurologists and a movement disorder specialist, visited the Parkinson’s Center in Sunnyvale, California, applied to and was selected for the PD DNA study co-sponsored by Sergei Brin of Google and Michael J. Fox, a study called ‘23andMe’. I had also joined the local PD support group, researched and read numerous books and internet sites, practiced yoga till I became too stiff for ‘downward facing dog’ and so off-balance that my tree pose looked like ‘downward falling tree’!! I had explored every avenue, visited everywhere, except inside myself.
Enter Qigong, with its holistic approach that integrates the body, mind, and spirit.
In June of 2009 I attended a Healer Within workshop presented by Mingtong Gu at The Marin JCC. Mingtong explained a little bit about energy clearing out the blockages that cause disease and then we began a Level 1 physical practice, Lift Chi Up Pour Chi Down. Although I was shaky and having some difficulty following directions, I immediately felt a layer of pain lift away. Something was happening. By the end of the weekend, Sunday night, I was convinced that qigong was working for me. Then, as we were leaving, Mingtong announced that anyone working on healing a chronic or serious illness should expect to practice a minimum of two to three hours daily. When I first heard this, my state shifted from blissful to annoyed. What, two to three hours a day?! I didn’t sign up for that! The truth is, I hadn’t signed up for Parkinson’s either. So I began reflecting, and within a few moments my attitude changed from negative to positive. It was a no-brainer. What was better: two to three hours of qigong practice daily, or ten to twelve hours on the sofa everyday, fatigued and in pain?
Probably one of the most difficult aspects of receiving my diagnosis was breaking the news to my family and friends. I couldn’t bear to see sorrow or pity in their faces. So I told them that this was a gift. Here I was retiring, and now I had Carte Blanche to indulge myself. An example of this was visiting friends in Melbourne, Australia, during the winter of 2009. Then, at the June qigong workshop, Mingtong offered a Zhineng qigong retreat in China for the following fall. I went home, got on the computer, and booked the trip to Guelin, which happens to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
I began pinching myself. This Parkinson’s journey was becoming a wonderful adventure. Qigong became my tour guide. I continued to practice at home, three hours a day, every day, doing the physical forms as well as the sound-healing and other Zhineng qigong meditational practices. Something unusual began to happen. Generally, I didn’t need the clock to tell me it was time for more PD meds, my body would tell me first. Then my body began forgetting. I took that as a sign that maybe I didn’t need so much medication anymore, so I gradually took myself off all PD medications, ( I did this while practicing qigong a minimum of three hours per day and am not offering medical advice here or anywhere in this narrative; I’m simply relating my story) . So by 9/24/2009, the day I left for China, I had been off all PD meds for almost a month. I wanted to work on my situation at the China retreat without drugs possibly masking the symptoms.
By this time much of the pain and fatigue and some other symptoms had gone or greatly abated, but not the tremors. This made meals in China, using chopsticks, an entertaining and suspenseful event. Needless to say, I managed to eat very well, despite some aborted efforts between rice bowl and final destination.
I continued my practice when I returned home from the retreat, and still practice a minimum of three hours a day, or minimum two hours a day when I’m working. (This retired teacher now substitutes and loves it, and is full of energy, not fatigue.) I saw the neurologist last week and was described as ‘showing no signs of Parkinson’s at all.’ And it’s not just me, some people with Parkinson’s in the qigong community are demonstrating steady signs of improvement – like reduced tremors, better balance, increased flexibility in shoulders, faster, more fluid walking, and more energy.
If dedicated practice can show such benefits for a neurological condition, then what about for every human condition? Einstein said it best: “Either everything is a miracle or nothing is a miracle.” We can create miracles in our lives through dedication, practice, and positive intention. I came to qigong seeking a physical healing, and received that and so much more. Returning to the butterfly metaphor, I could say that qigong brought my body and spirit out of mothballs. And now that I’m flying free., let me wish one and all a giant “HAOLA” – “All is well.”
__________________________________________________________________
***Because this was originally a timed oral presentation, I omitted some details like severe constipation, sometimes difficulty swallowing (choking sensation) especially when in a prone position, sometimes dragging of right foot, Parkinson’s dry eye, and some lack of mental clarity, also my hands tended to “hook in” , with fingertips curling toward wrists, especially when at rest.
Jun 13 2011
Metamorphsis: Shakin’ to Awaken
Published by admin under Parkinsons Recovery,Qigong,symptom free
The following essay by Bianca Molle is a true inspiration for all of us. Bianca is my guest on the radio show this week which airs at 3 pm pacific time (6 pm eastern) in Wednesday, June 15, 2011.
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me
Metamorphosis: Shakin’ to Awaken
By Bianca (Blanche) Molle
(Originally presented 9/24/10, at The Marin County, California Civic Center)
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly” -proverb
I found a refrigerator magnet with that lovely proverb while waiting in line at Whole Foods shortly after I had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. That saying became my mantra. I needed it to be my mantra because something told me that I could find some good in my situation. What was my situation?
For a number of years I had felt pain and extreme fatigue. Of course, I wasn’t getting any younger, and teaching middle school requires so much energy in the classroom, and grading and planning in the ‘off hours,’ that I thought this was just a sign that I was ready to retire. And my handwriting had become so small and cramped that my students could no longer decipher the very cogent, insightful comments I was writing on their papers. Also, I had demonstrated a tremor that had gone from almost negligible to formidable over the past few years. When it got in the way of one of my favorite activities, eating, particularly eating soup, I went to see my first neurologist.
So, in April, 2008, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and began a program of treatment medications shortly after my retirement that June. I was taking Sinemet 25/100, the dopamine drug, three times a day, and Requip once daily. After a while, my symptoms began to worsen. I had the option of increasing my meds, something I did not want to do. What I was really looking for was relief from the chronic pain. I could continually feel the muscles in my spine and arms and shoulders contract. Also, navigating stairs became a cumbersome endeavor, feeling like I had sandbags strapped to my arms and legs as I tried to make my way up to the bedroom.
Although I found myself increasingly inactive, it’s not like I took m situation lying down. In the first year after my diagnosis I was proactive about research and treatment. I saw two neurologists and a movement disorder specialist, visited the Parkinson’s Center in Sunnyvale, California, applied to and was selected for the PD DNA study co-sponsored by Sergei Brin of Google and Michael J. Fox, a study called ‘23andMe’. I had also joined the local PD support group, researched and read numerous books and internet sites, practiced yoga till I became too stiff for ‘downward facing dog’ and so off-balance that my tree pose looked like ‘downward falling tree’!! I had explored every avenue, visited everywhere, except inside myself.
Enter Qigong, with its holistic approach that integrates the body, mind, and spirit.
In June of 2009 I attended a Healer Within workshop presented by Mingtong Gu at The Marin JCC. Mingtong explained a little bit about energy clearing out the blockages that cause disease and then we began a Level 1 physical practice, Lift Chi Up Pour Chi Down. Although I was shaky and having some difficulty following directions, I immediately felt a layer of pain lift away. Something was happening. By the end of the weekend, Sunday night, I was convinced that qigong was working for me. Then, as we were leaving, Mingtong announced that anyone working on healing a chronic or serious illness should expect to practice a minimum of two to three hours daily. When I first heard this, my state shifted from blissful to annoyed. What, two to three hours a day?! I didn’t sign up for that! The truth is, I hadn’t signed up for Parkinson’s either. So I began reflecting, and within a few moments my attitude changed from negative to positive. It was a no-brainer. What was better: two to three hours of qigong practice daily, or ten to twelve hours on the sofa everyday, fatigued and in pain?
Probably one of the most difficult aspects of receiving my diagnosis was breaking the news to my family and friends. I couldn’t bear to see sorrow or pity in their faces. So I told them that this was a gift. Here I was retiring, and now I had Carte Blanche to indulge myself. An example of this was visiting friends in Melbourne, Australia, during the winter of 2009. Then, at the June qigong workshop, Mingtong offered a Zhineng qigong retreat in China for the following fall. I went home, got on the computer, and booked the trip to Guelin, which happens to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
I began pinching myself. This Parkinson’s journey was becoming a wonderful adventure. Qigong became my tour guide. I continued to practice at home, three hours a day, every day, doing the physical forms as well as the sound-healing and other Zhineng qigong meditational practices. Something unusual began to happen. Generally, I didn’t need the clock to tell me it was time for more PD meds, my body would tell me first. Then my body began forgetting. I took that as a sign that maybe I didn’t need so much medication anymore, so I gradually took myself off all PD medications, ( I did this while practicing qigong a minimum of three hours per day and am not offering medical advice here or anywhere in this narrative; I’m simply relating my story) . So by 9/24/2009, the day I left for China, I had been off all PD meds for almost a month. I wanted to work on my situation at the China retreat without drugs possibly masking the symptoms.
By this time much of the pain and fatigue and some other symptoms had gone or greatly abated, but not the tremors. This made meals in China, using chopsticks, an entertaining and suspenseful event. Needless to say, I managed to eat very well, despite some aborted efforts between rice bowl and final destination.
I continued my practice when I returned home from the retreat, and still practice a minimum of three hours a day, or minimum two hours a day when I’m working. (This retired teacher now substitutes and loves it, and is full of energy, not fatigue.) I saw the neurologist last week and was described as ‘showing no signs of Parkinson’s at all.’ And it’s not just me, some people with Parkinson’s in the qigong community are demonstrating steady signs of improvement – like reduced tremors, better balance, increased flexibility in shoulders, faster, more fluid walking, and more energy.
If dedicated practice can show such benefits for a neurological condition, then what about for every human condition? Einstein said it best: “Either everything is a miracle or nothing is a miracle.” We can create miracles in our lives through dedication, practice, and positive intention. I came to qigong seeking a physical healing, and received that and so much more. Returning to the butterfly metaphor, I could say that qigong brought my body and spirit out of mothballs. And now that I’m flying free., let me wish one and all a giant “HAOLA” – “All is well.”
__________________________________________________________________
***Because this was originally a timed oral presentation, I omitted some details like severe constipation, sometimes difficulty swallowing (choking sensation) especially when in a prone position, sometimes dragging of right foot, Parkinson’s dry eye, and some lack of mental clarity, also my hands tended to “hook in” , with fingertips curling toward wrists, especially when at rest.
Bianca
Parkinson's recovered Bianca shares her recovery process in this interview. I found out about her through www.parkinsonsrecovery.com. See for yourself. I have been doing Taichi for years on my own. Usually it is 40 mins worth. Maybe I should step it up with Qigong. Qigong is the mother or Taichi.
17 Minute Mington Qigong Practice
This will help with PD. I got it from another video interview of a lady that does this kind of routine for 2-3 hrs a day. She doesnt have PD anymore. She had PD for 8 yrs. God bless her.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Cerritos plane crash left its scars - Press-Telegram
Cerritos plane crash left its scars - Press-Telegram
Cerritos Aero Mexico Crash 1986
I remember this day as if it were yesterday. Skyknight was on day patarol when we got a call to investigate a tall column of black smoke somewhere in Cerritos. We responded from the station in Lakewood. We thought it was a car fire on the freeway. As we got closer we spotted a Hughes500 helicopter over the scene already, which turned out to be Huntington Beach PD's helo. They too would have a tragic day later that afternoon with the annual OP surf festival over their city where riots occurred. We also saw Long Beach PD's ship overhead briefly. When we got directly overhead, it appeared the entire block of the neighborhood was on fire. Like a wall of fire as tall as the pine trees lining the streets. We then saw the airliner's fuselage but only a small portion of it on Carmenita street where it came to a screeching halt. At first I thought where's the rest of the plane? I guess it had come down at a steep enough angle and speed to obliterate itself. THe plane it collided with was in a school yard southeast of there about a quarter mile. It's top half had been decapitated. No survivors. The Sheriff's dept. assigned us the task of air traffic controller in the sky. This was in the days when ENG aircract (Electronic News Gathering) orbited in a stacked column. Nowadays, news media ships park themselves very high over a scene because they can and have wazoo cameras onboard that can zoom in on a persons nose if need be. I counted 31 aircrafted total to keep separated at different altitudes. From law enforcement,ENG,medevac, coroner etc. I did this by keeping track with pencil and paper N numbers, aircraft colors, and altitdue assignment. Everyone was super alert and safe. My partner handled the communications with ground units. We were overhead around 6 hours total. What a sad day.
Cerritos Aero Mexico Crash 1986
I remember this day as if it were yesterday. Skyknight was on day patarol when we got a call to investigate a tall column of black smoke somewhere in Cerritos. We responded from the station in Lakewood. We thought it was a car fire on the freeway. As we got closer we spotted a Hughes500 helicopter over the scene already, which turned out to be Huntington Beach PD's helo. They too would have a tragic day later that afternoon with the annual OP surf festival over their city where riots occurred. We also saw Long Beach PD's ship overhead briefly. When we got directly overhead, it appeared the entire block of the neighborhood was on fire. Like a wall of fire as tall as the pine trees lining the streets. We then saw the airliner's fuselage but only a small portion of it on Carmenita street where it came to a screeching halt. At first I thought where's the rest of the plane? I guess it had come down at a steep enough angle and speed to obliterate itself. THe plane it collided with was in a school yard southeast of there about a quarter mile. It's top half had been decapitated. No survivors. The Sheriff's dept. assigned us the task of air traffic controller in the sky. This was in the days when ENG aircract (Electronic News Gathering) orbited in a stacked column. Nowadays, news media ships park themselves very high over a scene because they can and have wazoo cameras onboard that can zoom in on a persons nose if need be. I counted 31 aircrafted total to keep separated at different altitudes. From law enforcement,ENG,medevac, coroner etc. I did this by keeping track with pencil and paper N numbers, aircraft colors, and altitdue assignment. Everyone was super alert and safe. My partner handled the communications with ground units. We were overhead around 6 hours total. What a sad day.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
DOGAMINE AND DOPAMINE
We have two Chihuahua mixes now, one is black the other white. Katey is white and Angel is black. Ive always had less tremor and anxiety whenever I do activities with them or even just watching them. They make me laugh always, get up and move around, forget about my problems and just plain feel really good. My heart is filled with love when I am close to them. I was sitting on the couch and just felt so wondefful..I felt the dopamine must be flowing high at the moment. My husband said, oh you mean the "dogamine". That is our new word.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Parkinsons Updates 2011
The photo is with my dear friend Louis earlier this year. We hadnt seen each other for over 5 yrs since I retired medically. He is head secretary for the administration for the Long Beach Airport Air Traffic Control Tower. Next week we are going to lunch once more to catch up. Alot has transitioned in 5 or 6 yrs since diagnosis and I prefer to focus on the good stuff. I started meds 5 yrs after diagnosis and have improved. I have good and not so good days but I am gauranteed no day to be the same as the other. It's similar to flying in a way. I loved flying cause no day was the same, it was a challenge, at times it was uncomfortable up there posture wise or weather wise very cold or hot. Much like PD. So many factors influence life for everyone whether you are handicapped or not. It's best to go with the flow. Im finding PD to evolve in so many ways. Im extremetly sensitive to emotions as they affect gait. I have to keep those in check with a balance of exercise and foods that do not excite the body. Balance is important. I cant do two consecutive days of away from the house activities. I need to rest inbetween. Food when I first started drugs was not influencing drug efficacy in the beginning. Now it is. If I want full help of the meds I must take the med first at least 30 mins before introducing food. I stay away from meat, cheeses, dairy, breads, as much as possible. I describe the poor side effects after not eating properly as "special effects". It feels like the fog rolled in inside my head. I dont feel as strong and coordinated as I could possibly be. So I guess Im pretty much a vegen eater and not by choice. And yes, I have no weight problem whatsoever anymore. Not that I was so fat before. I just giggle less. Haha. It's kinda nice though. Being lighter is better in more than 1 way. If I fall, I fall less hard. My back has no pain. Im flexible in my joints. My bunion hurts way less. I have tons more energy. We just got another small dog and she runs me ragged. Im able to exercise with her from 5 to 8 pm every day. If I dont she wont be as ready to go to bed. Puppies are so great. My older chihuahua would rather not participate at play time although she gets goaded into it. She's 10 to 14 yrs old. Can you blame her? Any way, this is turning into a small novelette. I see the Neuro in Sept. I am so on the fence whether to change meds. Id rather make do with less side effects and stick with the same meds even though they are not perfect and accept this level of joyous activities as it is now. Hell, Im one lucky girl looking back on my life and all I crammed into it thus far. My cousin Donna put it into perspective for me. She said Monica, you may not be as in control as before when you were younger but my God youve done so much. FLying, been in two museums. One the Smithsonian and the other San Diego Air and Space. Traveled to Africa, England, Italy, Canada etc. Worked with wild animals. Run 10 or 5 ks. Had 3 grandchildren experiencing both boys and a girl. Had one child of my own and now have the greatest son in law. Have a terrific husband, Dave, Donna's cousin. We are building a plane in the garage. Or I should say he is building a plane in the garage. I just take pictures in awe of the guy. I play geocaching. I get to read lots of books now. I sleep when I want. It's all great and so the next 20 or 30 yrs I look forward now however slowly I move around or how. Life is good !!
1999 Going Down Memory Lane
I've landed twice to rescue drowning children victims in the 25 yrs with Lakewood. This one was unusual because when we arrived over the call, all we saw were a circle of adults doing nothing for this child as she lay on the cement by the pool. The adults were running out to the front yard in the cul de sac waving us to help. It was pitiful. We knew rescue was not even close. We could see them from above rolling code but we were there. I kept getting lower and lower contemplating a landing in the streets cul de sac. There were no cars or people and it was quiet and devoid of obstacles. It would be easy to take off again after I dropped Kevin off. And so we discussed it quickly and both made the decision to land. It was the right decision. I took off and went back to Lakewoods Sheriff Station to wait for my deputy. The watch commander thought Kevin dove out of the helicopter into the pool and did the rescue. I laughed later when I found that out. But I can see coming to a conclusion like that if all your doing is aurally listening to the whole thing go down. Here below is an article I recently found and posted for posterity.
Immediately, Zaborniak and pilot Monica McIntyre landed at a nearby intersection on Harvest Avenue--a rare feat for a surveillance helicopter. Although an ambulance had been called to the scene, it was still precious minutes away, and Zaborniak sprang from the helicopter to help the child.
"She was blue and I just started breathing for her," Zaborniak said, referring to the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. "The nearest emergency unit was still two minutes away. When you're talking about a drowning victim, two minutes is a long time."
On Tuesday, three days after Rose toppled into the pool, the girl was preparing to return home to San Pedro from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Before she left though, Zaborniak stopped by the hospital to visit.
At first, her parents and doctors feared the worst. Although she had survived the drowning, they worried that she may have suffered severe brain damage. But on Tuesday, Dr. Jeremy Garrett said the girl had managed a stunning, full recovery, and said Zaborniak's quick action was instrumental.
"I feel blessed, very lucky," Joe Ruiz said as he thanked the deputy.
Although Saturday's near-fatal drowning was an event that neither Joe and Julie Ruiz, nor Zaborniak are likely to forget, that's not the case for Rose. The youngster cannot recall anything that occurred after the dunking.
At the brief reunion in the medical center's pediatric wing, Rose clung shyly to her mother as Zaborniak said hello and held a stuffed animal as a puppet.
Zaborniak, 31, said that he wasn't bothered at all by her not knowing who he was and downplayed his role in her recovery.
"That's a strong kid," he said. "She's a fighter, and that's why she's going home."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Zoee Has Arrived
Zoee Anne Earl was born July 19, 2011, weighing in at 6lbs8oz and 19" long. She has reddish blonde hair and eyelashes and blue eyes. She looks alot like her dad and grandma Cookie. She's beautiful !!! Oh, I almost forgot, she is our new grandaughter. I have 3 other grandkids, all boys. Their names are Aaryn, Marcelo and Sam.
what has happened on my birthday pictures
what has happened on my birthday pictures
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