Boulders: Life with Parkinson's Disease

by Steven Briggs, Anthony Lyle (Editor), Steven Briggs (Illustrator)

Overview

Boulders: Life with Parkinsons Disease recognizes that the small obstacles of daily life pebbles when one lives with ones health intactcan become a field of boulders that demands planning and effort to traverse when one lives with an impairment. Steven Briggs has turned a series of personal narratives, originally shared at meetings of a support group for people living with Parkinsons disease, into this collection of stories. By injecting a sense of humor that revels in observing lifes little incongruities and each persons endearing idiosyncrasies, Boulders helps its readers to place themselves in the shoes of the person with a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease. From that perspective, the stories cover making ones way through the various parts of a typical day: the intricacies of grocery shopping, gardening, bathing, managing home maintenance and safety, going out to eat, going to the doctor, enjoying hobbies, taking a road trip, and visiting the rec center. You may have received a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease. You might know someone who lives with the disease. Perhaps you find inspiration in reading about how another person negotiates his or her way around the boulders that loom along lifes paths. No matter what brings you to pick up this book, you will find it entertains, educates, and inspires you to face the boulders in your own life with courage and a smile.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781504906753
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	04/20/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	76
File size:	568 KB

About the Author

Steven Briggs, a native of Chicago's northern suburbs, is a U.S. Navy veteran, has a bachelor's degree in forest management from Utah State University, and retired with 40+ years of Federal Service. He has conducted field research, fought wildfires, and encountered wildlife in Idaho, Montana, and Utah. He has lived with Parkinson's disease since 2009.

Read an Excerpt

BOULDERS

Life with Parkinson's Disease

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By Steven Briggs, Anthony Lyle

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2015 Steven Briggs
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-0674-6

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CHAPTER 1

A TYPICAL DAY

Let me tell you what a typical day is like for me, "A Person with Parkinson's (PWP) Disease". First, after the shock of the news that you are a PWP, and all that goes with the diagnosis, doctors tell us to get lots of exercise, we already get more than we may realize, for example:

SHUTTING OFF THE ALARM: Reach out, move arm up and down until you find the button. Of course many people take the same exercise without PD too, but it's a little more complicated with PD. By the time I find the $@^$ arlarm, my heart is pumping hard!

TURNING ON THE BED SIDE LAMP: Move hand back and forth, slowly. Once the lamp is found move hand to switch.

GETTING OUT OF BED: Sit up, swing feet out until the floor is found. Add accessories as needed (Teeth, glasses, hearing aid, find slippers (what are they doing over there??)) Whew, exhausted already!

NEXT: The Parkinson shuffle. Uh-oh, double time, thank goodness for adult under pants.

GETTING DRESSED:

SOCKS: Sit on bed, grab sock, and roll on to your back. Bend knee bringing foot towards out stretched arms with the sock. Slip on sock (if it hangs up, time for a pedicure). Pull towards heel, then up, stretch leg out while wiggling toes. Aahh good. Repeat OTHER side. Then take a break to get your wind!

PANTS: Retrieve from chair, holding by the waist, shake out until the legs are next to each other? (Repeat as necessary). Insert foot and hop twice. Sit down and pull pant leg over the foot. Repeat other side and STAY SEATED!! Now stand, pulling pants up while wiggling hips. (Thank Goodness for elastic!)

T-SHIRTS: Ever notice that you have to put them on twice? You stick one arm in, then the other, and pull over your head, only to find it's backwards? Okay, I know, I know ... This is true for most people but it's frustrating when you have to do calisthenics to get dressed. Couldn't find the front because it's one of these new tag less shirts! Then you have to get someone to pull it down in back, because you can't reach it.

Button shirts? FORGET THEM!! You can get them on easily enough, but the buttons or holes (or both) are too small, and someone has to help you.

SHOES: Where did I take them off? AHH, here they are, the brown "Hush Puppies", they go good with everything, except for green socks!

Well that's the end of our morning exercise program, only took us 45 minutes. Whewww. Time for a shower and a nap?

MENTAL ACTIVITY:

Now, to keep us mentally sharp, doctors have us counting pills. Let's start with the little red pill, for Parkinson's. It controls tremors, 3 per day. Then there's the little white, for Parkinson's. It helps red pill, twice a day. Next the yellow pill, for high cholesterol, twice a day. Keeping on with the colors, the blue and white, for Parkinson's, once a day (too pretty to take). The brown pill is for BPH, once a day. Ah! The brown with black stripes pill is for BPH and also once a day, complements the other brown pill. The white oval pill is for hypertension (which calms you after trying to get dressed) is once a day. The big white pill is next. I forget what it's for, but something the doctor wants me to take. Not done yet! The other big white pill, something the wife wants me to take. (Should I be worried?) The blue pill is for ... hummm. Hea-yea!! In case she doesn't have a headache tonight! Keeping all that straight is a rigorous mental exercise!

Recreation is a big part of my day and just as important as physical exercise. My recreation program includes the following:

BREAKFAST: Bran cereal, milk, whole wheat, dry toast with jam or jelly on the side, and orange juice. The doctor removed coffee from the menu.

On the weekends, I meet the boys at the local diner. Boys? Hardly! I'm the youngest at 65.

NAP TIME: Dang cat, get out of MY recliner!

LUNCH TIME: Meals on wheels or as I call it "truck-n-grub"!

After all that, I'm ready to relax some!

TV TIME: let's see what is on:

World Cup Soccer (WCS)
NFL football
WCS
NBA
Steven Briggs
6
WCS
NHL Highlights
WCS
NCAA Football
WCS

MLB: FINALLY!! Game 2 of Division leaders of a 3 game series. Dang it! I wanted to watch the CUBS! My favorite team. What ever happened to "American as Baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet!"? Now it's World Cup Soccer, Greek yogurt, and Honda or is it Hyundai??

So much for TV, think I'll go for a long walk. Now where is my walker? HUFFING! Made it to the end of the block, but George passed me. He has a new wheeled walker. NO FAIR! I'd better get one with a motor, if I'm going to pass him. Think I'll take a nap. (It's OK to take naps when you have PD.)

DINNER TIME: Always a surprise. The wife is still a good cook, even with left overs.

TV TIME again: OH-Boy, a Gene Autry western! They don't make them like this anymore.

BED TIME: Going from street clothes to PJ's, it takes 20 minutes.

Well, that pretty much sums up my day, guess I need a hobby or two so I'm not spending so much time in front of the TV. Maybe gardening?

OOH, what's this!!? The BLUE PILL.

I'm going to get lucky tonight!

CHAPTER 2

GROCERY SHOPPING

With shopping list in hand, I give the Missis a peck good-bye. "Now stick to the list, no extras like last time!" She yells as I get in the car. "Yes dear", I mumble. I always get the last word at least.

Arriving at the store, I see that all the "Handicapped" spaces are taken. Must be "Senior Day". I think, "aaaah"! Here is a spot. Get between the lines?? Yep, we won't count the one the tires are resting on. Better put up the "Handicapped" permit, so they know what kind of idiot parked this way.

It's a long way to the store. Oh well, Doc says I need to walk more. Better get a cart. Big or little? Better get a big one. With a long list, it's faster than my walker. Grab the cane. Another one of these "Republican" carts, (pulls to the right). I'll exchange it when we get inside. That's better, now to the list.

MILK. Why do they always put it at the back of the store?? Young Man! Young Man! Ooh excuse me, Miss. Do you work here? Could you please get me a half gallon of whole milk? Thank you. Why don't they put the half gallons in the middle for us shorter people? Pretty little filly, where was she 45 years ago? Well. ..., come to think on it, the Missis wasn't so bad. Got three fine sons, now I'm the old sway back plow horse. NOW, back to the list!

EGGS: (make sure they aren't cracked). If I did that they would be scrambled before I got them into the cart. Hummm. A new product? Crack-n-Heat! Will have to think about that one.

ORANGE JUICE: (the wife keeps reminding me to read labels). "Shake well"! No problem there. Don't even have to try.

WHEAT CRACKERS: "Contains wheat". DUH! That's why the call them "Wheat" crackers. I wonder. Do chocolate bars say "contains chocolate"? I'll have to go look.

NUTRITIONAL DRINKS (or as I call them: Pop-n-slop): They do make a good lunch when the wife is off playing Bridge. Better get some straws, the kind that bend at the top. Nutritional drinks do not look well on my sweater. Better warn your friends about accepting sodas fetched by you. Nasty surprise when they open em up.

APPLES: So many varieties; Red delicious, Golden delicious, Gala, Jazz, Granny Smith, Fiji! Which ones to get? Hummm. ..., I know, I'll get one of each. The checker will love me for that!!

FROZEN PEAS: Use to be able to eat then with a knife. Now I use a spoon (big one) and they still fall off! By the time I get them to my mouth, I'm lucky one is left on the spoon. I once saw my friend reaching out to help me keep my scrambled eggs on my fork, but he managed to stop himself. It's a tough call sometimes. Do you help or do you let me spill my food on my own? Make sure you lean over the plate. At least that way the food eventually gets eaten anyway.

ICE CREAM: (NO, mint chocolate chip), my favorite. Vanilla again.

KETCHUP: (or is it CATSUP?) Here it is! Ohh Lordy!!! A whole section where they put the labels on upside down! Wife wants 32oz. I'll get 64, last twice as long. EXPIRES in three days? I never have known the stuff to go bad.

HAMBURGER: Get 1 POUND? Humm. Let's see: 1.85, 1.65, 1.35, or 1.15. I'll get the 1.65 package. That way we'll have 1 pound of actually cooked meat.

INSTANT POTATOES: I'll get the cheap stuff.

They all taste the same.

APPLE SAUCE: More soft food? I CAN chew (when I put my teeth in).

Well, that's it!! Now to check out. I wonder if May is working today? She likes me.

As I unload the cart, I'm asked "is that all"? I should hope so!! "PAPER or PLASTIC"? Better make it plastic, they have handles. DARN! Left the canvas bags at home again! Not too heavy. "CUSTOMER CARD"? Oh yes, let's see; drug store, other grocery store, other drug store, department store, third drug store, nope don't have one. Phone number? 123-555-2396. "CASH, CREDIT, or DEBIT"? Cash!! Not fast enough to push the buttons in time to do cards. "HELP TO THE CAR"? Two more and we can play 20 questions!!!

Aaah, home at last! Now to get them in the house! I didn't see any of the neighbor kids. Hope I can get groceries in before the ice cream melts. Doc's other exercise program. Carry in/ put away; step up, stretch, (hold on to cabinet) step down, bend over, stand up. REPEAT until done.

FINALLY! NAP TIMEzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

CHAPTER 3

GARDENING

A SEASON LONG ADVENTURE

Aah! SPRING! At least according to that furry rodent back in Pennsylvania! Daffodils and crocus are up. Better put on the rubber boots (Wellington's). It looks a little muddy. In a week the garden area will be bone dry.

Let's see what shall we plant this year? Marigolds? Helps to keep the bugs away, or so I'm told. Petunias? I like petunias but what color? Think I'll go patriotic this year; red, white and blue.

Vegetables; radishes, green beans, corn, peas. Aah! Better make a list getting a little forgetful these days. Ooops! Forgot to take the boots off! Now I have to mop the floor. (Two hours later). Let's see, that should just about do it. To the nursery!

"Oh sir, can you direct me to the seeds? Grass or vegetables"? Vegetables. I have enough grass. Of course it's mostly crab. Better get a cart. Will need it for the flowers. Oh No!! Not another political one! Pulls left this time. I bet the next one will go around in circles. And no it's not ME!

Green beans: snap, wax, string, bush or vine? GEE! Decisions, decisions! Guess I'll get the vine type. But I'll have to build a trellis for the peas. Might as well continue it for the beans. Less bending over at harvest time too. Hardiness zones? If they ain't hardy for here, why sale them?

Planting: Let's see. We'll plant the petunias at the far end; a red, white, and blue border. The marigold's at this end with a gap to walk in. Hard to step over any more. Corn and pumpkins will go over there, and the peas and beans over there. And better get the string. Otherwise my row will look like the Mississippi River.

Well that's enough for today! Lunch! Then a nap! Dang cat! In MY recliner, again!

Back to the garden; three seeds per mound. Now there's a challenge. Try that with PD! Let's see. That one has four, that one two and that one five. By the time I get done it will be close to three. "Shake seeds into quarter in deep straight line"! Right! Who ever heard of a person with Parkinson's doing anything straight? I'll be lucky to get even close! Finally, all done, now to sit back and watch everything grow.

BIRDS! Where is that cat now?! Asleep in MY recliner again! I'll get him this time (got one of them power lift kind), remote up. Ha, got ya! Now go out and chase those birds.

Did I say "watch everything grow"? Them weeds are growing pretty good. Better get the cultivator and kneeler/seat. Nifty little thing. It has handles on it to help you get up (I can use all the help I can get, these days), or turn it over and it's a seat.

Beans and peas are looking good. Got ya!, thought you sneak past me! On to the next one. Grandma taught me to remove all of the weed. That way you are not weeding it twice. Better thin the radishes. The row is only six inches wide this year. Not bad. One year they were two feet from the line. The new pills helping? Oops, I'd better pull the weeds or I won't have any left.

Lunch time/nap time! Aah all weeded. And time to start over again.

Corn is lookin' good. "Knee high by the Fourth of July". Them Iowa farmers say we should be there. Got a couple of pumpkins coming too. Will need to raise them up and put some cardboard underneath. It helps to keep them round.

Fine crop this year! No bugs. Oh some leaf cutters on the beans and rhubarb, but nothing that I needed to spray for. Guess I can call them "organic" this year. Plenty for us and to donate too. Water, fertilizer and LOVE, that's how my garden grows! Did I mention the LOVE comes with some tough love and a few words that I don't let my wife hear?

The first hard frost. The end of another season. Pile up everything in the corner for composting. The marigolds and petunias were great this year. Think I'll plant some daisies too. Maybe I'll have my neighbor Ben build me a couple of raised beds, next year? Less bending over.

Day is done! Laying back in my recliner with the cat on my lap a purring. Watching a Randolph Scott western. What a way to end the day? The cat didn't do too bad of a job keeping the birds out. Think he had fun doing it. Think I'll keep him around.

CHAPTER 4

BATHING/SHOWERING

NO! NO! I'm not promoting that you shower with a friend! Although the last time that me and the Missis did it, it was fun!!

Now to the story. Dressed in my new comfy Terri-cloth robe, slippers on, I head for the bathroom (water closet, for you military folks). Why I wear the slippers, I don't know. It's carpet all the way and it's only 20 feet. Guess, I always have and always will. Less I forget. Let's see, do I have everything I need; Soap on a rope, Help button, Dog Tags, (haven't hardly ever taken them off in fifty years). (Any more stuff around the neck and I'll look like that actor: "Mr. T".), Shampoo, Hair conditioner (don't know why, ain't got much left), Nail brush (gotta git the garden dirt from under the nails), Small scrub brush (gotta have clean hands for Sunday, otherwise people will think you have been working before church), Long handle scrub brush (huummm, I wonder what happened to those door to door salesmen?), Bath chair (in case I get tired), Grab bars (had them installed a year ago. It is reported that one in three people over 65 fall in the tub (I plan on falling out)), Non-skid strips (one half foot apart, one strip under the ball, the other under the heel. Half a foot!) Did I get the Help Button? Think that's everything. I need to make a check list. Oh darn! Face cloth and towel.

Water--not too hot, not too cold-----aaah! Forgot to turn the handle down for the shower head. Boy is that water cold! Careful getting in and out. Fall and break a hip and the missis said she would just shoot me. I'm sure she was just kidding ... (nervous laughter here).

Aah. Now for a relaxing bath /shower. Do a little of both. Flip the lever and let the tub fill. Feels good to soak the feet.

Rub-a-dub, rub-a-dub, three men in a tub, rub-a-dub ... How does the rest of it go? I read somewhere that there was some off-color meaning to these ol rhymes. Oh well, I can't remember, rub-a-dub, three people in a tub! (Gotta be politically correct). Oh yeah, the butcher, the baker, and the candle stick maker! (An odd lot) Rub-a-dub three people in the tub.

Soap up, rinse, soap up, rinse, that's the Navy way. OH NO!! I dropped the shampoo bottle! Just missed the foot too! Good thing it is a plastic bottle! Still would've hurt plenty. Slowly slide down holding the grab bar, bend the knees, keep the back straight. Gotch ya! Slippery little devil.

Rub-a dub, three men in a tub. Time to get out. Beginning to look like a prune, but to be truthful, I was half way there when I got in. Flip the lever again, and away go troubles go down the drain. Still remember that ol jingle! Nice thought.

Remember back in the day when we did the "twist" to dry our backs? With PD, we can let the tremors do the work without all the energy. And with these new towels, we can wrap myself up to get to the places I can't reach and still have some for the face and hair.

Let's see how we did. Finger nails, clean. Check. Hands, clean, huummm. Maybe I'd better shave. The good old electric shaver is good for a quick job. Better brush my teeth while I'm here. Now where did I leave them? On the night stand, of course! Clean body, clean clothes, ready to tackle the world, to the garden! Oops! Church! Alleluia!

CHAPTER 5

HOME MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

I recently purchased a "help button" because my family members were concerned that I might fall and no one would find me, since I live alone (this was after the misses passed, God rest her soul). Soo.., I got one. Hope they are happy now! I have been doing other things to make it safer for me, let's go down the list.

TRIPPING HAZARDS: Since falling is a leading cause of injury and death of people with Parkinson's (PD), I thought I would start out here. Got me several rolls of that double-sided sticky tape for the throw rugs. Doesn't last very long. Especially when the cat goes racing around the corners after who knows what. Don't understand cats. Anyhow, I put a square on each corner, does help keep them in place for a little while? That's why I bought two rolls.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from BOULDERS by Steven Briggs, Anthony Lyle. Copyright © 2015 Steven Briggs. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Foreward by Anthony Lyle (Editor), vii,
Introduction, ix,
Dedication, xiii,
Stories,
• A Typical Day, 1,
• Grocery Shopping, 8,
• Gardening, 13,
• Bathing/Showering, 18,
• Home Maintenance And Safety, 22,
• Going Out To Eat, 30,
• A Visit To The Doctor's Office, 33,
• Hobbies, 38,
• Road Trip/Travel Logue, 41,
• Off To The Rec Center, 53,
• I Have Parkinson's Disease, 59,
Acknowledgments, 61,