My husband and I have entered a new season in life and I have been journaling it on my personal blogsite (www.plantinggardens.blogspot.com).  This was yesterday’s entry and through it was relevant to share with you.  I hope you enjoy it.
Burden or Blessing…
Back again…
Ken asked today if I was giving serious thought to those Pre-Mobile Home Renovation Pre-Nups. I sneered at him. This was after he hit me on the head with a flying wooden sword that he had just ripped from the wall. And that was after disassembling the bathtub that I’m certain had not been cleaned for well over 38 years. And that was after I fell asleep in the car while I waited for him in the Wal-Mart parking lot, only to be left to dream about washing paneled walls and then to suddenly be woken from a nightmare, thinking that Ken, getting back into the car was the wall falling on top of me that I had been washing in me dreams (at least I think it was in my dreams…).

It’s not that bad, but I don’t think I’ve ever sweated that much, not even running cross-country in high school (ah yes, those were the days…). Just what you wanted to hear!!!

We are busy with the guest room – pulled up carpets, knocked down the closet walls.

The Structure, in its entirety got a new facelift outside when it was power washed for two hours today. That’s how long it took to give it a bath.

We ordered windows today – double paned, white vinyl, 95% UV protection with a 87% energy savings from temperatures in and out (I sound like a guy describing his hot rod). I’m excited (did I say that?!). NEW WINDOWS! You have to see the old to appreciate the new.

Yesterday, while Ken was talking with different guys about different things about doing different work on different projects, I was out pruning roses. Oh – before I forget – I smelled one! It was the most wonderful thing!!! Some of you know that part of PD is losing your sense of smell. Mine’s usually absent but yesterday it was like a ‘What was that?!?’ moment. Then I realized - it was the rose in front of me and it smelled as wonderful as it was beautiful! I haven’t smelled a rose for so long and it was a gift!

Anyhow, as I was basking in the fragrance, LaurieKay, the neighbor I told you about, came out with her granddaughter Isabella. Isabella is 3 months and gave me the biggest smile that warmed my heart. Then she spit up. A lot. (However, that wasn’t what I was going to tell you.)

The side of LaurieKay’s face was all bruised. She had three teeth pulled last Wednesday. No anesthesia, mind you. She was going to have five pulled but couldn’t stand the pain any longer. She has no insurance (many of us can relate, huh?). While she shared that they also found a tumor which they told her they are pretty sure is cancerous, my hand started shaking really bad and she kept looking down at it. Though it was offending me, instead of cutting it off, I stuck it in my pocket and explained why it was acting obnoxious. She looked at me, stunned, in silence for a few seconds and then this is what she said…

“Aren’t we blessed.”

Then I looked at her in silence for a few seconds.  Then she went on to explain that she had Crones Disease and diabetes.

“We all have something, don’t we?” she added.

It was her ‘aren’t we blessed’ that stuck with me all day.

You know what?  We are. When God has allowed certain circumstances and issues to become a part of our lives – a disease, an illness, a wayward child, a broken relationship, the loss of a loved one – we are blessed. We have been chosen to bear something that for some reason He has decided it is best for us to bear.

Maybe it’s to take us deeper into Him. To rely and depend on Him alone so that He truly becomes our all – in all.

Maybe it’s to make us more compassionate. To be given a sentence of a terminal illness, a chronic disease – often causes the bearer to look at others in a more compassionate way, as their understanding of pain and suffering has increased.

Maybe it’s to make us laugh. They say a great sense of humor is often born through a great deal of pain. Some of the funniest people I know are the ones that have been through the toughest times. They have found that God is their joy and laughter truly is the best medicine.

I believe what LaurieKay said is true. It is a blessing to suffer, although I’ll be the first to admit that I do not always act as if I am being blessed. But when I’m in my right mind (no comments), focused on His grace and goodness and when I’m trusting in His provision through my day, I am blessed. Blessed to have been chosen to bear what others weren’t chosen to bear, chosen to be able to understand more deeply what some never will. I am blessed to have been taken deeper into Him through pain and sorrow through the circumstances in my life and blessed with the gift of being able to laugh at the simplest things.  I am not bragging and don’t mean to sound as if I am.  Would I choose this blessing?  I highly doubt I would have stood in that line of freebies!  But looking back at what I’ve learned, the things God has allowed me to experience because of PD and the wonderful people I’ve met and have the privilege of witnessing to and encouraging… then yes.  I would have stretched out my hand to God, in trust, and said thank you for trusting me.

I hope that you find the next tough lesson, trial, or circumstance in your life to truly be a blessing, chosen just for you. And when you think of it, please pray LaurieKay’s results are negative. She’s ready to meet her Lord, but she really likes being able to watch that little granddaughter of hers every day.

It’s been known for a while that singing for a PD patient is not only great therapy emotionally, but helps strengthens the vocal cords, giving the patient better volume while speaking. Now there’s evidence that dancing has proven to be great therapy.

In an article sent out by the NWPF (Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation), Michael Lieb, a sufferer with the disease admits that dancing has “…been a source of great inspiration and a source of hope.”

He says that he has been given “the upper hand” (or could it be said ‘foot’?!) in his fight with PD. He has found great inspiration and hope in getting his feet off the ground and in step with the beat.

According to the article, dancing “may even be more beneficial than regular exercise because music stimulates parts of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease, and being together forms and important sense of community.”

Mayo Clinic researchers reported that social dancing helps to reduce stress, increase energy, improve strength, and increase muscle tone and coordination.

Parkinson’s patients struggle with various physical conditions associated with the disease. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) says that dancing can lower your risk of coronary heart disease, decrease blood pressure, help you manage your weight, and strengthen the bones of your legs and hips.

The New England Journal of Medicine found that dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly and it was found that dancing was the only physical activity out of 11 that was associated with a lower risk of dementia, most likely because it engages brain, as well as physical activity.

Dancing has many benefits on brain ‘health’. It increases blood flow to the brain. It creates an atmosphere for socializing which reduces stress, depression, and the feeling of loneliness. It requires the memorization of steps and partnering with someone, providing mental challenges for a healthy brain. Studies have proven that dance may even be more beneficial than regular exercise because music stimulates parts of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease, and being together forms an important sense of community, as stated above.

After twelve weeks in the class that Lieb participates in, other participants said they didn’t use their walkers much anymore and Lieb stated that dancing has enabled him to perform movements that he didn’t think were possible for him, even before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He feels he’s gained greater flexibility, balance, and a new outlook on life.

Experts believe that as long as dancing is done safely, it certainly can do no harm. So, what are you waiting for? Grab those dancin’ shoes, a partner, put on that favorite ‘record’ and start swingin’!

I’d like to recommend Dr Anthony Santiago. He is both a Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist practicing in Washington, inthe Liberty Lake area. He diagnosed me with Parkinsonism several years ago. He tested me and then diagnosed me for over 45 minutes. He had my records from all the doctors I had seen previously and it seemed as we were talking that in some aspects of my medical history he knew me better than myself. Together with my wife, we really appreciated the thoroughness and patience he displayed while together with us. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a neurologist.
Tony Mack

Post note: Thank you, Mr. Mack for your recommendation. I would have to agree with you, as my neurologist is also Dr. Santiago and although not an expert in neurologists, I’d say he has to be the best!

Here in east Tennessee the weather has already cooled down, just a bit for me to get excited about the new season in the hills of this place I call home. You have probably heard me say that I think east Tennessee is one of the most beautiful places in the world (in my limited world traveling, you must know this is a purely biased statement!). We live here among some hills or maybe you could call them mountains, and we are close to the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains; there are four or more beautiful lakes within an hour of my house; and God’s beauty is abundant in the surrounding valleys.

The other reason I like October is that it is the month my daughter was born. It always reminds me how blessed I am to be entrusted with her life for a short time and she always makes life interesting. Right now, she is in the final weeks of her volleyball schedule, and volleyball is one of my favorite sports that I have ever played. We will be busy with games and tournaments in the next few weeks, and then at the end of the month we will celebrate her 15th birthday. Maybe I’ll make her wait until Nov. 1 to get her driving permit so October will remain a good month. Sure, right!

The colors in the trees, the bright hues of pumpkins and scarecrows all contribute to making October so special. Did I tell you Orange is my favorite color? The crisp fall air and surrounding beauty seem to invigorate my soul! God certainly is the master in providing us changing seasons to enjoy.

The only other significant landmark in my life occurring in October is that 6 years ago, I made my first visit to a neurologist for some physical problems I was having. I had just turned 40 two months before and life was good by anyone else’s standards. I am grateful my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease actually came in November and not October, so that at least my favorite month is not scarred by that. Halloween is also this month….not that I ever enjoyed the dressing up, but I love getting FREE chocolate!

I hope you have a great month and will enjoy God’s special blessings this time of year. I found this link to this guy’s photography of the area around east Tennessee..I thought you might enjoy it… http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com

Ok, I’m off to breath in some October air…..ahhhhhh!

Judy Hensley
10/3/08

Kansas City, MES (sept. 29, 2008) –

En el reconocimiento de Hispanic Heritage Month, Teva Neuroscience, Inc., vendedores del una vez que-diariamente ® de la droga AZILECT de la enfermedad de Parkinson (paladio) (tabletas del rasagiline), hoy anunciado el lanzamiento de la versión española de su Web site del recurso del paciente y del caregiver, azilect.com/espanol. El Web site español fue creado para proporcionar la información y recursos importantes a los miembros de la comunidad hispánica, viviendo en los E.E.U.U., que son afectados por el paladio, un desorden degenerativo relativo a la edad del cerebro.

“Desafortunadamente, no hay muchos de los recursos para los pacientes de habla hispana que se ocupan de la enfermedad de Parkinson,” dijo a Dr. Ramon L. Rodriguez, director de servicios clínicos en la universidad de los desórdenes del movimiento de la Florida se centra. “Aun cuando no hay curación para Parkinson, es importante que los pacientes aprendan cómo vivir bien con una combinación de las actividades y de los tratamientos que pueden ayudar a controlar los síntomas de la enfermedad.”

El Web site español, azilect.com/espanol, es un recurso comprensivo que proporciona la información importante para ayudar a pacientes y a las familias con los efectos físicos y emocionales del paladio. Los visitantes de habla hispana podrán tener acceso a una amplia gama de la informació y de los recursos, incluyendo:
• Las muestras básicas de las opciones de la información y del tratamiento
• De la enfermedad y los síntomas de la enfermedad
• Inclinan en vivir bien con una combinación del tratamiento, actividades, y apoyan las hojas de trabajo
• Downloadable y los acoplamientos a la información otra de
• Caregiver de los recursos

Además, los visitantes tendrán acceso a una versión downloadable “de la guía recientemente lanzada del recurso del adelante de Hacia”. La guía fácil de utilizar es una herramienta útil que ayuda a la gente afectada por el paladio para entender más sobre la enfermedad, aprende cómo vivir bien a pesar de la diagnosis, e investiga varias opciones del tratamiento.

“Estamos satisfechos traer estos recursos muy necesarios a la comunidad de habla hispana que vive en los E.E.U.U.,” dijo a encargado de producto de la neurología de Teva, Mike Sheehy. “Creemos que es importante proporcionar los materiales de la Español-lengua e información que ayuda a poblar maneje las enfermedades, tales como paladio, a esta comunidad importante y cada vez mayor.”

La neurología de Teva se establece jefatura en Kansas City, MES. Para la información adicional sobre los recursos españoles de Teva para el paladio o AZILECT, visita azilect.com/espanol.

The following article was sent to to us this evening. Thank you to Courtney Fadler of Fleishman-Hillard for keeping us posted!!!