I am most fortunate; I am blessed to have these doctors. They recognize the uniqueness of PD in that each person with it is affected in a different way. Parkinson's could never be thought of as a one size fits all disease.
All three of these doctors have things in common. They have what I refer to as "compassionate professionalism." They care about me the person, not just me the patient, and do so in a professional way. They recognize how PD is so very life altering.
They are realistic about a future with PD but also have optimism because of the researcher's work on medicine and surgical procedures as well as the new discoveries from researchers.
They ask me what they can do for me. They make me a part of the team. As one of them said, I am an expert in my own Parkinson's disease. They are most willing to hear about what works for me. They encourage me to seek out and investigate complementary treatments such as massage therapy, tai chi, and aqua exercise.
Under their supervision and with their encouragement, I very carefully and responsibly experiment with my medicine. For instance, I may vary times I take medicine. Or, with my doctor's permission, I may make a very mild change in the dosage.
My doctors also work together by corresponding with each other about my condition. They talk about what they observed and learned from me on my most recent office visits.
My doctors work so very hard, and I am pleased that they seek my help by being pro-active with Parkinson's. We work together to keep my PD at bay. I learn from them and they learn from me. Thanks to them I am a part of the cure and not just a patient. Those good feelings help me as well to keep PD at bay. My doctor's expertise and knowledge are immense. Their dedication to their patients is heartfelt and therapeutic for the mind, body, and soul.
I once asked the doctor who has since moved out of state, what stage of PD I was in? There are supposedly five stages. He said there really are not five stages - there are more like 500. I realized what he was trying to tell me. He was in no way diminishing measurements of Parkinson's. He was telling me to keep doing what I was doing. Categorizing myself or pigeon-holing myself would not be as effective as devoting my time to exercising and trying complementary treatments. My doctor wanted me to continue doing what he wanted me to do; and that is to keep living my life.
Another of my doctors was on a TV program stating that he has never had to turn away a Parkinson's patient no matter how advanced their case. He is involved in so many things like research, seeing patients, and teaching. It is simply his dedication, commitment, and devotion that will not allow him to ever turn a patient away.
I went to a local one-day seminar about Parkinson's disease at a time when I needed to find a replacement doctor for the one who moved. Luckily, a new doctor got up to present. I knew by just listening to her speak, hearing her expertise, and sensing her warm, friendly, and conversational manner, that I had found yet another "compassionate professional." I was so pleased to learn that she was accepting new patients. Now I could be on her team or she could be on my team - or however you want to put it. Actually she and the other two doctors are not just on my team. They are on everyone's team suffering from Parkinson's - whether they are patients, family and friends, or caregivers.
Personally, I would like to thank these three doctors for the big part they play in helping me to Carpe diem (seize the day).
