Ruptured
Monday 26th October 2026. In the light of recent challenges I've engaged myself in some self-analysis and personal development with a view to understanding the things I might be able to do to bring myself forward in a positive light.
As this will hopefully help me step forward, my further hope would be that others reading my account would at least in some small way be inspired to take up some of the experiences into their own life and to take on some of my ideas.
I stress as ever - this is not clinical advice, just a sharing of experiences / energy which might be taken on-board by fellow Parky's 'patients, loved ones' or indeed any others suffering from other serious illnesses.
- Get to sleep, get an early night and you'll feel better in the morning. I feel slightly guilty writing this item, as of course you might not in fact feel better in the morning and if you've been fighting insomnia, as I have, it's nowhere near that simple as 'get an early night'. However, this is an area where I've had some success and after tossing and turning for what seems like an ice age simply lying on my back with the lights off and not giving in to the urge to get out of bed, can eventually work and using this method of sheer perseverance I've increased my average hours sleep from 2/4 hours to 4/5 hours. This has made a difference, even though it doesn't always work, and I feel a rhythm returning. Fingers crossed.
- Restless Legs Syndrome. It's back again - that horrible hollow limbs feeling. Many of you will remember my blog https://www.musicforparkinsons.co.uk/restless-legs/ where I wrote about the outstanding medical breakthrough of our time - in a small jar (loved the graphic on that one, by the way). Well, I'm using that method again and it still works more often than not, don't ask me why. OK it won't get you any kissing action with your partner buy hey no one's perfect!
- Just talking helps. I remember 13th September was a bad day for me, the over-riding sentiment was that I was losing my fight with Parky's. Nothing would cheer me up. No joke or laughter would lift my spirits. I guess we all have days like that, with or without illness as the background circumstance. It's rare for me to feel like that but it does occasionally occur. Just had to talk - and as so often it was Lynne that was the sounding board, confidante, the butt of my self-defeating remarks. But it worked and it's an often overlooked thing. Whether it's family, loved one, friend, professional etc. Just talk and do not bottle stuff up. I'm no listening expert but message me if you need a talk, or any of your friends, they are there to help you in times of need - cliché, I know, but true.
Tuesday 27th October 2026: INTERRUPTION! In the interests of keeping promises made, for events and experiences as and when they happen in 'real life' - soon after writing the above unfinished work, I was navigating the stairs at home, which has been getting more and more difficult, when I felt something snap in my right leg - the one that has been misbehaving for a while. The snap was accompanied by a pain which to be honest knocked me sick. After several hours at my GP, then A&E and then onto Urgent Treatment Centre at Fairfield Hospital, the upshot is I appear to have ruptured my achilles. Felt depressed yesterday when eventually arriving home. I have one of those 'boots' on for stability and protection, and will be joining the hordes of orthopedic outpatients for management ongoing alongside the Parky's specialist - of course that condition is likely to be the root cause of the rupture. Remember, Parky's has changed my gait (the way I walk) after 64 years and the stress of that change results in misalignment of a combination of bones, muscles, tendons, hence the rupture.
Very 'narky' last night but back to something like normal this morning and will be attempting to work with the boot - initial feeling is it's causing some pain and risk of falls. Very weird feeling so will see how it goes.
More news as and when. Take care folks and keep smiling! x