Tuesday, May 24
The feet hurt (callouses and corns) and little else of any note happened that I can remember. Except! I was drawn toward medical qigong for my left foot, which re-associates old injuries that never fully healed. For lack of a stronger description, the foot immediately felt more present.
Wednesday, May 25
Maria Rosaria did her magic on my feet, sculpting them and removing a handful of dead skin and tissue. The evening walk was therefore much improved; first lap ugly, second lap less so, third lap not bad. All day I felt that I was divided in two, though I can’t identify what those parts might be. Whenever I checked in with Friends, instead of partying they were meditating. I did my best to adjust.
Thursday, May 26
The morning began dual, but that sensation faded as the day progressed. The left foot hurts because of the qigong, but in a good and not incapacitating way. Morning walk was a repeat of yesterday’s three-part special. The evening walk began the same way but on the fourth lap I went solo, and the walk got smoother and stronger for five more laps, all of them unassisted! I was exhilarated. Friends continued to meditate.
Friday, May 27
I slept a straight eight, and Roman still had difficulty waking me. The morning walk went five laps (two unassisted) and could have gone more, but we ran out of time. I paced the hall during the afternoon, and my gait was solid. But the walk to Roy’s car – and from there to the Alexander studio (and back) – was tortured. The lesson itself was wonderful (and free of restless leg syndrome, for maybe the first time) but was nearly nullified by the getting home. The evening grew fresh after a heavy-aired, humid day, and windows were thrown open to welcome the breeze.
Saturday, May 28
Morning on the (north) sagrato saw us do six laps, half of those unassisted. There were rivers of colorful tourists everywhere, flowing through the piazza and into the cathedral. I particularly enjoy those who exchange greetings with us, believing as they do that they have interacted with a real Italian. Takes me back to my traveling days.
I slept a straight six last night, not turning in until late as I waited for the air to cool. I had gotten it down to a comfy 20 degrees by midnight, then decided with unwarranted generosity to share the air with other rooms by opening doors. That foolishness will not be repeated. But, making good use of the time, I put in at least a kilometer pacing the hall while I waited. The walking improved, the turns and suspensions of movement did not.
Come evening, we paced the garage because of threatening rain. I’ve been fighting discouragement all day (as I do about once a week) and the quality of my walk this evening caused me to lose the fight. (A bit of lemon gelato helped.)
Sunday, May 29
Slept another straight eight last night, did five laps on the sunny side of the Duomo due to first communicants on the shady side, napped before lunch, after lunch, and again an hour or so later. Mobility is nil right after sleeping, but improves with use. Dexterity is rather astonishingly good.
A wonderful exchange during the Zoom meeting of the Recovering from Parkinson’s support group led to my increased confidence that the path we are taking is ultimately effective. The evening walk right afterwards included a healthy sway, swinging arms, and a confident stride while holding on to no one.
Monday, May 30
The morning walk on the sagrato reflected last evening’s, but with more of it unassisted. I slept well last night but with an hour’s gap, and due to work on the little balcony off the bedroom had to be up before eight, so perhaps that’s why after our walk I collapsed into the recliner for an hour’s nap (my first of three). Naps in the recliner of late are characterized by stabbing pains in feet and toes which trigger episodes of violent shaking. There is some occasional shaking in bed, but nothing as extreme or frequent. None of this is new, rather a new wave.
I noted last week that I’m experiencing hunger again, and double that for this week. Also, the jasmine is in bloom (and is everywhere) and yesterday evening I got a whiff of it for the first time in decades. And for this evening’s walk, much of the time my gait was automatic — such pleasure from such simple things.