How quick things can change...
Weird... one day you go about your daily life with getting up, dressed, breakfast, work, home, tea then bed. Well this was my dad's routine for so many years, until it all changed, his life changed and not for the better.
My dad is one of the nicest, kindest, funniest, friendliest people you could possibly meet. Always worked hard to get the money in to support his family and give us a great life. My dad is one of those people who would help anyone, always has done.
In July last year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. We all thought that the tremor in his left arm and hand was perhaps just a trapped nerve or something along those lines... Not Parkinson's Disease. Did I know what Parkinson's Disease was? No, I didn't all I thought was that it was a condition where you had this little shake in your arm and I hadn't a clue about it, also thought it was an illness that only effected old, old people... Oh how I was so wrong!
I remember the day like it was yesterday, guess you remember those days where things change suddenly...
I remember dad had an appointment with the Professor at the hospital, it was the first appointment so it would of been around 9am. They got back around 10-11am, I was in bed asleep as I hadn't been feeling well... Mom came into my room as I said the night before to let me know how it goes. I remember mom's face, with red puffy eyes and the upset on her face... I knew something was instantly wrong. Mom turned round and said "it's Parkinson's Disease" I said "what?" I thought the ground had swallowed me up... I felt numb... I didn't know what to say... I mean what could I say? I sat up... I didn't know anything about Parkinson's or the effect it had on people, I remember asking mom if dad was going to die... because I had no clue what it was all I knew was dad has the tremor in his arm and that was the first time I'd ever seen my dad cry in 21 years...
They say that 127,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. That means every hour within the UK there is a new person being diagnosed.
Is there a cure for this cruel illness... no there isn't and its a fact that it only gets worse not better. The cause of Parkinson's there's certain brain cells that die as there is not enough of the chemical dopamine in your brain that's what can cause it.
The scariest fact is that my dad won't get better... he's only going to get worse... and I hoped this was the worse he could get, well it isn't...
Since last year I've watched my dad's life change so, so quickly!
From the constant shaking in his left arm and hand, watching him become weak, seeing him suffer in pain, loose his balance, him forgetting something I told him several minutes ago, hearing him nearly choke to death at the most simplest task like brushing his teeth, becoming tired so easily, not sleeping, now starting to watch it come into his other arm/hand... seriously if I named everything I'd be till tomorrow night!
This week marks Parkinson's Awareness week, although some of you won't give a sh*t just take a second to think if it was your dad or someone you really loved?
Although we as a family owe a lot to Parkinson UK there support and advice is brilliant! They pointed us in the right direction as a family and helped us in a lot of ways!
If you're one of those people who see's a shaky hand and thinks that the person is an alcoholic next time think that there could be more to it...
My dad worries that people sit, stare and judge him because of the shake that people think he's an alcoholic when the judgers couldn't be more wrong!
From now on my dad has no control on where his life is going to go, apart from get worse...
For years my dad watched me and my sister Amy get ill with M.E and fibromyalgia and we used to think that the people watching it wasn't as bad as living the life with an illness but this time were in the other boat watching as dad gets weaker and from my point of view I can honestly say it makes my heart break into a thousand pieces and when I first found out about the Parkinson's I'm not afraid to admit that I used to sit there and cry as I didn't know what to do to help.
Now sure things are still pretty raw as it was only July that this happened but were ALL adapting to things and dad's lifestyle... making sure he's getting the support he needs.
Although there is one person I haven't mentioned my mom...
Considering my mom has looked after me with me getting ill and Amy too she has also took on the job of looking after my dad too. I do wonder sometimes if my mom is a secret superhero ;-)
If it wasn't for mom this family would of fell apart along time ago but we haven't...
It's strange how certain life event's can make you realise who's there for you and who's not... Life's funny like that but it shows you what's important in life and that life can change very quickly...
All I know is even though dad has this illness it doesn't mean he's a different person he's still the annoying, irritating, funny, loveable, honest, kindest and best dad I can have, and for that I'm lucky! Anyone who knows my dad is lucky to have him in there lives with or without Parkinson's!
If you use social media websites such as twitter or facebook etc then how about showing a bit of support for the sufferers out there? Then use this #incontrol
Lets raise awareness and let people know they are not alone!
Love you dad! :-)
To other sufferers out there stay smiling and keep strong!!!
Thanks for reading!
Kate xo.
