Well, it was always gonna need to be done Pumpkins. Today's snippet of Blogwisdom is the big one baby! How it all began......
Once upon a time (March 2010) in a grey little office somewhere in Cambridge NZ, I became the winner of a ticket to the ride of my life. Toot! Toot! All aboard the Parky Train, next stop Wibblyville....Yes Possums, a lovely, quiet, unassuming and very polite man, looked up from his pad of paper, put down his pen and calmly shattered my world with four words "You've got Parkinson's Disease."
"Ah, fuck!" were, I think the exact words I used, but I'll try not to swear too much whilst I get all this off my (once ample) chest. This Blogbods is my story.......(cue atmospheric tinkly piano music)
So, Funksters, it's sometime in 2006. The Chief and I have moved to Great Lake Taupo and I'm teaching in a low decile school where they work hard, play hard and expectations are high. We're doing Jump Jam one morning and one of the moves I'm doing is one we termed Octopus Arms (also referred to as Nelly Furtado Arms by those of us in the know!) So the funny thing is, that it turns out I can't feckin' do it. My right arm is floppy as a jellyfish on flaccid tablets, but the left one refuses to channel it's inner Nelly, has completely opted out of floppy class and won't do what I want it to do. I am becoming aware that this is weird.
Cut to the doctors initial diagnosis: dodgy ulna nerve, bit of surgery, bish bash bosh right as rain Madam. Fab news (pregnant with Bodlet number 2 at this time) Cue second opinion...aaaahhh, right so....it's not the ulna nerve thing then you say? Several specialists later, much poking, prodding, stretching, wiggling, sighing, shaking of heads and we are no further on. Shite.
Feeling v uneasy now Possums, not liking this not knowing what's going on with my body malarkey. I just needed someone to grab this by the bollocks and help me figure out what's going wrong. By now we have muscle wastage, serious lack of dexterity and a bit of a dodgy limp. Hurrah! I didn't, and still don't have the shaky doodles that some Wibblers have (unless bizarrely I'm cold or nervous) I did however have a stiff claw like thang going on too....
So me and The Chief consult Dr Wiki and through a process of elimination, turn up on the doorstep of motor neurone disease. Five years then painful death and rubbish existence beforehand. No more wife, no more Mama. Fuck-de-doodle shite on a stick. Tears, desperate hugs, more tears. Hang on though....there's all this stuff that doesn't apply to me, it's not motor neurone after all so I'm not going to die, yippee!!!! Ok, so now we've seen the worst, whatever it is we can deal with it.
Cue a fabulous neurologist (the quiet world shatterer from before and a bollock grabber as it turns out!) Diagnosis: Parkinson's on a platter. Result! Turns out Peeps, I'm the second youngest in NZ - Go Me!!!
Well, that's all for tonight Blogheads because you'll be needing a wee soon and you should always leave your readers on a cliffhanger...........
So, The Chief is calling. As for the Soundtrack, never heard of this Brandi chick. Just typed in 'The Story Lyrics' and the Googlemonster spat her out. OMG I am a gifted lyric locater. Just the ticket. Not my usual funky affair but I am very open minded. Enjoy and please leave a comment, I like getting post! ;-) xxxx
Wow, blown away Katherine. I can't know exactly how your journey has been, but I do know a little about it. My husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons in his early 40's. It's been a long journey, ups and down, round and rounds. Sometimes wondering how the hell your meant to feel when you hardly know whats going on. Can be isolating as most people know so little about it all. But you're right on with your attitude hon, Parkinsons is just something you have, it's not who you are. Head up, party on, and I'm here anytime you need some crazy old lady advise!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my darling Wistarose, I can't thank you enough for posting. I actually had a bit of a moment when I read it because, you're so right that this magical mystery tour we're on affects partners, children and other family members too. My 'coming out' was a long process because I guess I just didn't want to be defined by my Parkypants. But the way I came good with it all was to turn it on it's head, define it in my own terms ie 'Sparklies' and be as sickeningly positive as possible. 1. Fake it to make it; 2. Believe the hype then 3. It becomes who you are, what you do...it just is.
ReplyDeleteThere are loads of questions I have, but right now I'm just so completely glad all over that you have reached out. You sound faborific in the extreme and clearly have Sparkles galore! So in that respect, your husband is a lucky man to have you in his corner :-) Honey, I am always on the lookout for crazy old lady advice. It was therapy from perhaps the craziest old bird of 'em all that got me strong enough to board this funk bus in the first place. Sparkle hard my beautiful Rose, hope to chat again soon. Hi to hubbster too! xx
Katherine darling, you are such a sparkly inspiration to everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Hun, I always liked the quote "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" and when I think of you it changes to "no one can take away your hope and love of life without your consent"
ReplyDeleteTonight I will drink a drink for you, eat some chocolate, hold my children and husband close and be thankful for all that I have, which includes you as a friend. huggles!
wow Katherine, even with already knowing most of that I still had a teary moment!
ReplyDeleteInspirational as always and so excited for you all with your plans for the future, you really are grabbing life by the bollocks and you are all truly amazing! Lots of love Da Pepperells xox
Aaah, my heart is happy and I'm truly feeling all the love and positivity and kick ass support from you downright splendiferous Spangledangles. You guys rock! Jens....you are awash with The Sparkles, my darling! Huggles...love it! You're even fluent in 'Sparkle Speak'!!! I don't deal with negatives,I just don't have time for them, they serve no purpose but to bring you down. Luckily, they can always be turned around into something positive and remember...nothing is so bad that you can't laugh at it. I love, love, love your outlook and I am honoured to be considered your friend because you sound just so completely and utterly lovely.
ReplyDeleteAs for you, Princess Pepperell (Queen Bee Funkster Extraordinaire) Man, I just love you. What more can I say?...you are family and you mean the world to me!What would I do without you? xx
Hey Katherine!
ReplyDeleteOMG you are so splendiforous. Had to think of at least one sparkly sort of word! You are such a unique writer I always get a giggle out of your posts! If you write a book you could be the richest sparkler ever! I would buy a copy for everyone I have to buy a chrissy pressie for! Your attitude and zest for life is something out of this world. Knowing what I know now and seeing the way you live your life you're not only an inspiration for people suffering any kind of physical or mental illness but for those of us that have no (known) impediments to date and take it for granted!! No matter what happens with your body you will always be a shining star. Keep up the great work and as you will know nothing in life that is truly great is easy and the harder you work the more you have enjoy! YOU GO GIRL!!! No doubt I'll come across you carving some shapes on the D floor with your super sexy sparkly bod! just have to do some practising so I can keep up! xxx ;o) Janette...
Thanks so much for visiting my beautiful Blogeroo Janette. Am love, love, lovin' the 'Sparkle Speak' doll, you're a natural. Oh, you'd better be practising hard 'cos you'll see me tearing up a dancefloor sooner or later girlfriend, this Disco Dolly is setting the bar high! (Unless it's fecking Metallica, in which case I'll let you have it...moshing is no good for the quality upkeep of my fringe hahahaha!) Sending lashings of mwahs and hugdedoodles atcha Crazy Funkster! xxxx
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