My Parkinson's Beginnings

I knew what I had; I suspected for a year and a half and was positive for a good six months. I promised my wife I would make a doctor’s appointment. It was obvious to her and my kids that this was not a bad rotator cuff or a pinched nerve in my left arm because my right hand started shaking, too.

We were getting ready to go to Nags Head to play in my father-in-law’s church golf tournament. It would be a nice family function; a team made up of me, my son, father-in-law, and brother-in-law. I have been blessed with the greatest wife in the world and the greatest in-laws. I don’t even think of them as in-laws. I consider them parents and I always look forward to seeing them. The tourney was a nice distraction over the weekend because my doctor’s appointment was the following Tuesday. In my mind until someone in a lab coat and plaque on the wall tells you something is wrong, I could have one last weekend without the letters PD official.

A quick word about the golf tournament, I thought it would be fun if we had matching shorts, shirts and hats. We looked good and golfed bad, but had a great time.

The drive home from Nags Head to Virginia had enough distractions that it kept my mind off my pending appointment. We rented a small SUV and packed five people, two dogs, and three sets of golf clubs into it. I did not think about the doctor’s appointment; just my shaky golf swing (no pun intended) and that my Black Lab just threw up on my brother-in-law in the rented vehicle… ah, family car trips!

I’m not sure what it feels like for someone getting ready to walk into the courtroom to find out the outcome of their trial, but this must be close. I sat with the nice young man who was taking my blood pressure in the doctor’s office. “How are you today?” he asked in a very pleasant tone. “Not great,” I replied, “after all I’m in here.” He chuckled, “I guess that’s true. Your blood pressure is high! Why is that?” “Because I’m about to get some bad news!” I wanted to yell. “I’m forty-seven years old and the doctor is going to tell me I probably have Parkinson's and I need to see the neurologist which is just one more frigging doctor appointment I don’t want to go to. That’s why my blood pressure is up.” But I didn’t. He had a great personality; the kind you would want anybody in the health care industry to have. The bailiff said, "All rise for the verdict." Actually the nurse said, “The doctor will see you in a moment.” It just felt like the bailiff. The doc walked in and promptly said, “How are you today?” Here we go again. I give what is now becoming my standard reply. I will be changing that reply to “shaky” from here on out.

I knew the doctor because five years ago he casted up my son’s wrist so he could play the last few games of the football season. My son was the starting center, made all the offense line calls, and the team had a chance to win their first district championship. Even though his office didn't accept our health insurance, the doc casted him up and made it possible for him to play. We won the district, our first playoff game and were one bad holding call away from the regional championships. He never charged us for the visits. He’s, not your every day kind of doctor. I knew I was in good hands!

“What’s seems to be the problem?” the doctor asked. I showed him my shaking hands. He gave me the once over and told me that within thirty seconds of a neurologist exam I would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He was very encouraging, told me I was young and there were great advancements in the treatment of PD, but I still needed to see a neurologist for the official diagnosis. Doc got me an appointment for the next day.

“After my appointment I went up to the window to get my referral from the nice lady and to pay my co-pay. With a big smile on her face she asked me, “How are you today?”

The next day found my wife and me at the neurologist’s office. We sat and waited for a short time. The nurse asked us to come back to the room to take my blood pressure. She was an instantly likeable person who set you at ease. I thought my blood pressure would be back to normal…and then those words were uttered, “How are you today?” Damn, I was so close.

A moment later I was meeting a person who only a day ago was a total stranger and would be one of the most significant people in my life, my neurologist. She is an attractive young woman with a very calming demeanor who made me feel comfortable and at ease right away. She asked a couple of questions about what my symptoms were and I gave her a detailed response of what was wrong with me right down to the last detail. “You’re pretty smart. What do you do for a living?” “I’m a personal trainer.” “That explains it. So, what do you think you have?” “I know what I have, it’s Parkinson’s.” “Yes, you have Parkinson‘s,” she replied.

As odd as it may sound, a great burden of not knowing was gone and a great sense of relief came over me. I did not think why me or feel one bit sorry for myself. The only person in the room I felt bad for was my wife. Every day for the last twenty-nine years when I wake up with her, it has been like winning the lottery. She deserves better than having a sick husband, but there could be no better wingman (woman) to have with me in this fight! I’m also blessed to have two great kids who I’m very proud of. They have been a joy for me and my wife, never giving us any problems and always making us proud. For me to come home and tell them that I have a problem was not easy! One hour after everyone knew I said, “Okay, no more sad or feeling bad for me. It is what it is and time to move on.” After a few more phone calls to my brothers and in-laws, I would start a new chapter in my life.

I have been in the business of helping people through personal training. My clients have been with me for a long time, many for over ten years. To call them clients does not come close to how I feel about them. They are my second family. I always joke that I haven’t worked in years because it has never felt that way. I told each of them that I had P.D. You never know how someone will react. After all I am the guy who is supposed to help them stay in shape and be healthy and here I was the guy with the problem. Their support was overwhelming. They are all still with me. I wish I could say more about how great they are, but I just don’t have the words.

So I have Parkinson’s, what to do? I have two choices: wait for a cure or get off my ass and do something to help me and everyone else that is affected by this disease. I have always been a proactive kind of guy and the decision to do this blog was easy. To tell you the truth, I have always hoped to have a cause, something I could do that would make a great difference in many people’s lives and while I was looking, my cause found me.

This blog will be devoted to picking up our collective spirits and attacking this disease head on. We will fight this disease as well as M.S., Alzheimer’s, and other neurological disorders with all the weapons in our arsenal: nutrition, exercise, meditation, positive attitude, and a good sense of humor. We will actively raise awareness and funds to battle PD. I have chosen not to exist with P.D., but to fight it and if you want to do the same, join me in this battle!

I’m Pat Younts and I "Move to Live".