Tuesday, February 8
I slept in bed with no problems turning over or adjusting position for about six hours without interruption; Roman arrived, I peed, and slept another hour and a half. Movement is more fluid today, and our three rounds on the sagrato, while not up to the ease felt on Saturday, were distinguished by lack of shuffling and good posture, both automatic and without deliberate mental effort. The evening stroll was a little better than the morning, but in the same general category, and six rounds. Words are difficult to put together and typing is halting, but neither is extreme. The right arm is very relaxed.
Wednesday, February 9
Both morning and evening walks were on a par with yesterday evening or better. I slept for 7 hours last night without rising for any reason! I can get into and out of chairs without strain. Typing ain’t great but has been worse. Had a wonderful session in Alexander Technique. Life is good.
Thursday, February 10
Walking is still good, but without spontaneity and bounce. Those were on the way out yesterday evening, so no surprise. I slept well again last night and took only one relatively short nap today, so sleep patterns feel fairly normal. Eating lunch was logistically challenging what with a right arm tremor and general lack of dexterity, but eating an afternoon snack and supper was normal. I am emotionally trigger happy about anything and nothing. Typing is not bad but pretty irregular. Life is still good.
Friday, February 11
I lack the word. There were two or three days this past week when the prevailing state of movement was spontaneous and relatively strong and fluid. I don’t mind calling those good days, they are and I enjoy them. But last Saturday’s good day was followed by Sunday’s day of my body’s regrouping and learning, and brain recalibration. Good stuff is happening on those days so I don’t want to call them bad. How about movement spontaneous and movement deliberate? That’ll work for now.
Well, then after several movement spontaneous days this past week, I’m having a movement deliberate day. But compared to last Sunday, today is spontaneous. True, getting out of a chair is harder than it has been so far this week, but I still can and with minimal struggle. Walking today lacks spontaneity so it takes conscious attention to maintain good posture and stride, but I’m not hunched and shuffling. So, if this is as far as my brain needs to go towards deliberate this cycle, things are looking good!
On the theme of looking for words, I happened upon this from the text of Recovering from Parkinson’s and it filled another gap I’ve been feeling about my reporting.
“Doctors see Parkinson’s as a problem of motor function and a problem of tremor, only. Because of this, doctors and patients alike usually only look for a return to motor perfection or cessation of tremor when they look for evidence of recovery. But normal motor function and cessation of tremor might be the last changes to be realized.
“Recovery from Parkinson’s is tentatively happening when your mind even fleetingly starts to enjoy parasympathetic mode again: you start to laugh more and don’t care so much about what others think. Recovery from Parkinson’s is happening when you start to realize it doesn’t matter or not if you are vulnerable, or not as perfect as possible, and that it’s just fine if someone makes fun of you. These are the earliest changes that show a person is recovering from Parkinson’s disease. The invisible changes, not the improvements in motor function, are the ones that prove you have turned off pause and are in the process of healing.”
Saturday, February 12
Rose early so to get to a dental appointment, and consequently had an early breakfast. We went to the Duomo for a walk after the dentist. I started with tremendous energy and wore out at a half lap. Too hungry. Otherwise, movement is rather fluid, dexterity good, and speed of movement is increased. Typing is very good.
I feel emotionally a bit down, perhaps brought on by the prospect of a pointless war advanced by yet another psychopath who is eager to wage a battle based on 70 year old geography, and who makes the Guelphs and Ghibellines look rational by comparison. My Ukrainian friends refer to him as the “mad dog” which is unkind to dogs.
Sunday, February 13
Movement is deliberate today. Again, both walks began with bursts of energy that quickly depleted. Neither were spontaneous, and both left me tired. But I feel happy and clear, getting in and out of chairs is relatively graceful, and typing is tolerable; so tolerable that I started in again on my book. Only a few pages, but at least it crawled forward.
I look forward to another day of spontaneous movement, but am trying to be careful not to expect one.
Monday, February 14
I slept seven hours straight, getting up not at all, for nothing! (Does it show that I am happy about that?) Then we walked the garage, briefly, and I napped for 90 minutes afterwards. Walking leans toward deliberate, but all other motor functions are leaning towards spontaneous. I especially enjoy that gestures and reachings are quick and agile, that my arms are relaxed, and that I can get into and out of chairs without undue effort. Also, balance is improved.
The evening walk was pure spontaneity.