During back surgery on1/26/09, I experienced low oxygen levels. I was discharged from the hospital but continued experiencing shortness of breath. Made and appt. w/my general practitioner, went thru several diagnostic tests and finally was placed on oxygen and referred to a pulmonary specialist at UVA Medical Center. Shortly after this diagnosis I began experiencing dragging of my right leg and tremors in my right hand. Again I was sent to see a neurologist at UVA and diagnosed with parkinson's disease. I do pretty well but somehow my family does not seem to realize I can no longer do the things I always did before. After my forced disability retirement at age 59, I became the primary day care provider for my 4 very young grandchildren, along with the housekeeper for their family. I feel I'm having a terrible pity party but cannot help taking on this responsibility as my daughter (the mother of these 4 children) suffered mestatic breast cancer and subsequent mastectomies and treatment but now is a 3 year survivor. I feel I have no choice but don't know how I can change things.
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The parkinson is a disease that atack the old persons that not have a good stiyle of life.
October 9, 2011 - 5:36pmAnxiety Drugs
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Pain that causes this disease is very strong. Findrxonline mentions that you follow a treatment with painkillers like vicodin, norco, percocet, hydrocodone, as medicines are developed to control chronic pain. Also mention that these prescription drugs should follow a medical supervision for their use.
January 3, 2011 - 1:00pmThis Comment
Anon - No, you are not having a pity party. You are trying to do the right thing, which is to make your health your top priority and to advocate for yourself. This is something you must do, and if you don't your health will decline.
People who are healthy, and who do not have the limitations that come with a chronic and serious medical condition, have no way of understanding those limitations unless they are explained to them. It may be that you need some help with finding the right words to use so that people will not pity you or think less of you and will understand your situation such that they will also support you.
As a person who is living with a chronic form of leukemia, I deal with your situation every day. I've researched my medical condition thoroughly and have no problem explaining it to others and letting them know that my life is now different and how it is different. I also found a very helpful story online called the Spoon Theory that I sometimes use, and am going to share that with you. http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/
If you don't take some steps to adjust your life to deal with your medical conditions you will be putting your health at risk, and as long as you are helping care for others you could also be putting them at risk. You seem like a very responsible person who would not want to do that. It may not be easy to do, but you must find a way to educate and inform your family that you need their help and support in finding a solution that will support your health needs, your daughter's concerns and your grandchildren. You do have a choice, and I hope you will make it and speak out. Good luck to you in doing so.
Take care,
December 30, 2010 - 7:34pmPat
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