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 !!
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