Not Today

I sat in the neurologist’s office 4 years ago when she looked up at me and said, “you have Parkinson’s." As I made my way to my car, still dazed, I thought of all the patients I cared for over the years who had this disease. I don’t feel sick or look sick. What’s to become of me? I broke the news to my husband and had my meltdown. What next??

I started on medication and dove in to any information I could find about the disease. The details were brutally terrifying. Was this going to be my fate? I looked at myself in the mirror and said, “not today." I joined a support group and was amazed at all the information I received about resources available in my community. I took up Zumba, and Yoga. I enrolled in an exercise program designed specifically for persons with PD. My trainer was determined to make me stronger and that he did.

It’s been 4 years and I’m in better physical shape today than I was before this diagnosis. I just added a cardio-kick boxing class to my weekly work out. I’m aware of the reality of this disease, but for today I’m strong and I’m focused. I may go down some day, but I won’t go without a fight.