I went to see my Neurologist yesterday, and he is very pleased with my physical progress. He doesn’t want to change any of my meds, though, until I have had a sleep study. So, I have an appointment in July with a Sleep Disorder specialist. I’m not sure what that kind of doctor is called, but they gave me a book’s worth of forms to fill out about myself that I have to have done for the appointment. I’m surprised they didn’t ask me if I painted my toenails!!

I’ve been doing a little research about this insomnia thing and Parkinson’s, and it’s no wonder that this is bothering me. Something like 88% of PWP complain of insomnia!! Whether it’s the disease or the meds we take, I’m not sure, but that’s a significant symptom to deal with.

I have recently bought two more books that I think are going to be very helpful. One is Parkinson’s – The Art of Moving, by John Argue, and the other is The Book of Exercise and Yoga for Those with Parkinson’s Disease, by Lori Newell, M.A., which shows how to do each exercise from a chair if the PWP requires it. Add the Chi Walking book I’ve mentioned before, by Danny and Catherine Dryer, to that list, and I think any Parkie would find help with improving their body mechanics. I found used copies of the first two on Amazon recently, and I bought the walking book at a local book store. Thanks to Tami for suggesting the Art of Moving book.

DH mentioned last night that the slope of our newly installed home “track” makes it harder for him to get in as many steps as he does on the track at the local park. And I thought it was just me.

We now have extended our driveway around to the side of our house, with a new garage to be built next week, hopefully. But we didn’t stop there. We had them put in a side walk to underneath our deck, and had a patio put in there. There’s only about a five foot pathway between the end of the patio and the beginning of the sidewalk that goes from the deck steps to the front driveway that we need to finish with stepping stones.

That means we essentially have our own personal track now. We get an up and down slope going to and from the back yard, as we have a full daylight basement, with plenty of level walking up front and on the new driveway. Now I can step outside during the day and go around a time or two any time I get stiff or need a break from working on the computer. I’m not supposed to sit still more than about 15 minutes at a time, according to the Art of Moving book, so this is great. I think that’s also why sitting through church bothers me so much. I can’t wiggle enough in the pew to stay comfortable LOL!!

DH is walking between two and three miles each day we go to the track, but he’s not able to do much else in the way of exercising. He had colon cancer several years ago, and the whole incision, from way above the navel all the way down, herniated last year. He has this huge piece of mesh sewn into his abdomen to hold it all together. You can actually see the bulge in his tummy where the muscles are just not able to support his mid section. The doctor cautioned him not to do crunches or anything similar, so it’s hard for him to slim his middle down. He’s pretty much stopped wearing trousers with belts, as they are just not comfortable.

So, I’m glad that my Parkinson’s is giving him the motivation to walk consistently. He’s a night owl, and if it weren’t for getting up to keep me walking, I don’t think he would get up early on his own. And, of course, it’s way too hot to walk much around here unless you go very early. We are usually at the track by 6:00AM, with plenty of other walkers already going around when we get there. On days he doesn’t feel like getting up that early, he’s been walking around our own track as late as 10:00 at night!! So, we’re helping each other to stay motivated, and that’s a good thing.