More Delights and Disdains . . .

of a diminutive nature of late . . . Number 29

Disdains:

Listening to a Michael J. Fox Foundation podcast about Parkinson’s Disease and the stigma some patients experience. I placed this note in the Disdain category because, frankly, there is nothing delightful about PD - not one scintilla. The podcast was hosted by a panel of those who have the disorder along with the requisite neurologist to make sure that all of the warning labels are covered. The panel discussed the shame and isolation that they felt due to misconceptions held by others. I write misconceptions rather than prejudices because I have found that if I explain to people that I have PD then they are okay with it . . . unless they think that I am intoxicated, a misconception that could easily turn ugly during a traffic stop. Maybe I should wear a tee shirt that says “I ain’t drunk! I’ve just got the Pee Dee!”

Getting nothing but expensive quotes to cut down a big white pine tree leaning near my house. It is one of many white pines planted by my brother 45 years ago, with me helping or bothering him depending on your viewpoint. With the debris from hurricane Helene finally being mostly cleared around here, I had hoped that the price of tree cutting would drop back to normal. In my younger days, I would have tried to take it down myself. Saved again by age learned wisdom and disease induced frailty.

Delights:

Remembering my brother, Jimmy, who would have celebrated his 75th birthday this week. Though he succumbed to Parkinson’s in the end, he did not define himself by Parkinson’s or the polycystic kidney disease inherited from our mother. His laughter, advice, stories, and over-arching optimism are greatly missed.

Hearing the words “I’ve got a summer job” from my son who is home from college. Words that brought tears of joy to my dad and his dad before him.

Throwing stuff out. I rented a dumpster to facilitate the removal of a large amount of accumulated consumer detritus built up over the past 25 years such as worn out vacuum cleaners, old lawn furniture, and used motorcycle parts. I have always preferred deconstruction over construction. Both require skill and offer satisfaction when done properly, but there is something about the sound of shattering glass. Sometimes you just need to deconstruct for your mental health.

Visiting with my primary care practitioner to review my recent lab results. The results were excellent except for a persistently low platelet count that I attribute to Parkinson’s medications. I am almost healthy in my body, my brain less so. Regardless, I strive for good health overall. Here’s mens sana in corpore sano¹ to you.

Learning that the brain is a wonderful thing, even when it is 200 years old. Researchers have figured out a way to access the proteins contained in ancient brain matter using urine. I guess that is better than formaldehyde . . . for those who want to revisit my missing brain story from the Dark Corner Vignettes.

1. “a healthy mind in a healthy body” from a list written by some Roman dude named Juvenal