Do it

I don't think it's a secret that I have found the past few months difficult. This blog/newsletter helps, the good humour helps too, attending two brilliant Blaze Bayley gigs last weekend was a treasure, loved stepping back into the road vibe and mindset temporarily... but it's not a perfect world without question.

So, as I look ahead to the next few months I think this is a very good time to take a close look at what's working and what isn't.

I'm going to tackle this head-on in a series of reviews which hopefully give you, the reader, an even greater share in my experiences living with Parkinson's, whilst also setting out some goals for the future.

Part 1 : General health and wellbeing. How am I actually coping with overall symptoms?

There have been times when I feel I'm losing the fight - tremor, physical weakness, urinary troubles, disrupted sleep, pain and some unsettling experiences, not to mention the emotional impact of living with a progressive condition.

So, what is the single most troublesome aspect at the moment? Mobility. If I could walk something like normally life overall would be a whole lot better. Last week, Lynne and I had a couple of days break in our favourite hang-out in the Lake District - Grasmere. Lovely as it is, with good food, stunning views, overall the trip was a bit of a disaster really - the ultimate upset being that on day two such was the lack of mobility, I suggested Lynne went out for a nice long walk alone. THAT did not feel good at all - low point, sat reading in the hotel lounge whilst Lynne walked. I believe the other symptoms would co-exist if mobility was resolved, and life would be much improved. The leg pain has barely stopped throughout this year. The good news is even though it's slow progress, my left ankle/achilles/leg are improving gradually. On top also, if the move to a bungalow comes through...

That = hope!

Part 2 : Sleep, fatigue and getting more out of each day.

Urinary urgency, restless legs, dream-enactment, timing medication just right, emotional strain. There had been a point when I began to accept disrupted sleep as a fact. I averaged 2 hours sleep per night at one point and at that time general wellbeing was bad. Really bad. In the end I worked at this one, and currently I'm up to around 5 hours sleep per night. Not perfect but a huge improvement. The practical objectives are better nights, more daytime energy, with a view to a daily routine which works alongside the illness instead of feeding it.

Routine = independence!

Part 3 : Keeping busy, active, goals.

"Just throw them out there, Mark. Life is short."

At times, with this blog/newsletter (still don't know the correct term, silly man), I've introduced certain targets and guilty as charged when it comes to keeping on top of those. Good example, weight. Still haven't moved that the way I want it so I've conveniently forgotten/hidden it. I will do it eventually nevertheless.

I do, however, passionately believe that it's important to maintain goals in life, even in the face of adversity. There are 3 which top my list self-indulgently...

• I'm writing a book, maybe two. Fiction. One is quite well advanced, around five chapters remaining to be written. The other is just at the idea stage. If I succeed it will represent the completion of a long-held ambition.
• I'm also writing an album release. Within the music business, I've helped and supported so many in making records, why not do one myself while I still can? I can still play guitar despite Parky's sapping a certain amount of dexterity and strength. I've adapted. These are pretty big projects but you know what, I refuse to lose these things from my life.
• The third project is this blog/newsletter which is close to my heart. For some reason I've found the last 2 or 3 difficult to write but it's close to my heart and will continue. Have you subscribed yet?

Ambition = determination!

Final thought for the day... at the end of my life I do not want to sit wondering what would have happened if I'd tried.