I realize that Parkinson’s disease
impacts people in different and unique ways, and not everyone will experience
all the symptoms of Parkinson’s. If they do, they will not necessarily
experience them in quite the same order or at the same intensity. I also recognize
that there are typical patterns of progression in Parkinson’s disease that are
defined within five stages. I am amazed by how long I lived with stage one, how
many years it took to develop into stage two and how quickly it advanced to
stage three . . . I believe that the symptoms indicating a faster progression
of change began in 2015 and lasted through early 2020, when the freezing of
gate first appeared.
The change from two to three was even
more rapid in that within a few months I had ‘progressed’ a stage. My current neurologist
puts me at mid-stage, which I might agree with to some extent. I would guess,
based on the descriptions of each of the five stages, is that I am at a late
stage two or early stage three. I have had to re-learn how to do things that
previously were natural, subconscious actions. For example, walking now involves
an awareness of my surroundings and requires a thoughtful effort before taking
the first step.
I
cherish my independence so I absolutely refuse to let PD own me and I will
fight this beast with every ounce of my being. I have read that it is possible,
with the right medical guidance, exercise, and changes in lifestyle, to drop
back a stage.
That
is my ultimate goal.
