Happy Holidays.....

Here we are, so few days left til Christmas and, probably, so much to do. The weather in Illinois is not co-operating in any way for someone with a new hip. The nineteenth of November I had my right hip replaced at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St.Louis by Dr. Nunley and his staff and I can only give them all of my thanks and love for a excellent job done. I was out of the hospital in one day and have never looked back. God has given me a new chance to see His world and do His work and I SHALL DO BOTH. Exercise and healthy food and loyal support has brought me this far and I look forward to the future, MY FUTURE, as I have not looked forward for years. I would be lying if I told you I have no pain, but it is in different places and for different reasons. I now exercise at least an hour a day and though I have never been high on exercise, I can see and feel it's results. I now have one very strong leg and one with PD.....two arms with very little strength in either and a back that could go at any time. With PD, arthritis and epilepsy, this could be screaming"Go to bed and stay there." I refuse and so does someone who loves me very much. I want so to walk upright and shine in his and God's light. The main pain now is upper body and so stretching and arm pulls are ever so important and THEY HURT doing and after but some day they will no longer hurt and a I will be stronger...I would love to do what "Ellen" does when she sits down. She holds herself up by her arms for just a moment. Now granted, she is much smaller than me but, this is my goal and I am keeping it. In the middle of all this jabber, I would really like to wish yo one and all the happiest of Holiday Seasons and hope you all know I believe in your ability to fly no matter what chronic disorder you own and try to live with. Peace and Patience, my friend.....and Hope for the New Year. Love Pokie

Continuing Success

The "Wow Days" just keep on coming. I am just totally blessed and ever thankful to My Maker for his trust in my abilities and persistence in leading me on to higher ground. Just when I think I can not possibly climb one more mountain successfully, the challenge is made and I succeed. I have battled walking for over ten years, and was continually told surgery was just to risky and why would I go through it anyway because people with Parkinson's don't heal well, people with Epilepsy seize under surgery and pass on and besides that your going to be in a wheel chair anyway......Well, bull. November 19th surgery to replace my right hip after having both knees replaced five years ago and today, not two weeks later I have 21 staples removed and am walking beautifully with a cane. I have already walked one half mile at the gym yesterday and the incision has no drainage or swelling and is completely closed. Yes, I have goals and high ones and I am bull headed but it can be done and I am and will continue to be living proof you can live with PD with Quality of Life.....IF YOU FIGHT AND FIGHT HARD. I am by no means doing this on my own. My Lord and Savior has been prodding me like an old mule for quite some time. My friends from everywhere have called daily and kept me continually in their prayers and my doctors.......THE BEST. Barnes Jewish in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Nunley and his staff, Dr. Max Benzequen and staff, home care and physical therapy have all given me a new life to say the least and I have no idea of throwing it away.....So many new opportunities have opened up just this week that every day from now on will be jam packed with service to My Almighty but pursuit of a cure and help for chronically ill patients everywhere also. Thank you again everyone. Love Pokie

Let The Game Begin

"Send me in Coach, I'm ready to play....November 19th I entered Barnes Jewish Hospital in St Louis, Missouri for a total right hip replacement. I had weighed this in my mind since 2006 when I had my second hip replaced and was diagnosed with Parkinson's after a very slow recovery and many malfunctions, but as the pain increased weekly and my quality of life dropped to zero, I went for it. I cannot put all the decision in my hands though. In late July I was working on my bucket list so I could check out in style, feeling God would surely only put me through this, at most two more years. Nope, along came a friend who PUSHED me to fix myself as best I could...Exercise and don't give up because there are a lot of people who still love you......including your Lord and it's time to accept the next challenge. As I said that day I was in surgery by 8:00AM and out by 11:00AM and home by 6:00PM the next day with very little pain and have walked since...much to my amazement. Thanksgiving was just unbelievable this year......to say the least. My doctors and nurses were great as were all the people praying for my recovery and my friend and family by my heart and side always and then My Lord,who made fear something not considered and strength and faith, the strongest ever. I am sure I am once again on another mission. Look out chronic diseases with never ending pain, I am being put back in the game so LET THE GAMES BEGIN. love Pokie

Here's to Finesticher......always

February 13, with a very sad heart I posted as best I could, the fact that I would not be going to the PAN Forum in Washington , D.C. next Saturday. The denial of my scholarship just totally knocked the props out from under me. I can honestly say now in hind site that it was a good thing. Nothing should ever be taken for rated in life. Though I had planned for many months on going, the appreciation of the event was not truly felt until I was faced with not going. I tried to be matter of fact about the whole situation but finally just broke down. Had it not been for one very special person, whom I love with all my heart, I would be sitting at home this Saturday night asking, "Why Me, on a year when the whole Parkinson's community will come together for a stem cell victory". That one and only person travels this circuit and takes so little credit for what she does and gets done. I believe nine years she has fought and fought hard for Parkinson's awareness. Not always in the best of mental or physical health and despite all odds she continued to bring the health news of the day to everyone on Patientslikeme.com. She never received pay and very few thanks. She's a webmaster and one of the most intelligent women I have ever known. Her current project is PWP NEWS and it is the best I have seen. Everything that is going on in the Parkinson community, worldwide is listed in this newsletter daily. she not only works with Pan but PDF and yes that is her on the cover of their DVD. I met her in October of 2006 when I signed on to PLM. I knew nothing about the computer world and to me she walked on water. Then in October of the next year I won a Scholarship to Atlanta, YOPN Convention. and Carolyn was going to be there as a presenter. She walked up behind me and slipped the DVD in my pocket stating I will need this later....I just could not speak.....I admired her so and here she was in the flesh. I went up stairs a little later and was proudly laying all my treasures out on the bed , when I noticed that the lady on the DVD was Carolyn. I about had a heart attack. I grabbed it and went back down stairs and said,"Sign this". She looked at me so surprised....not knowing that very seldom in your lifetime do you meet one of your mentors. Yes, I am talking about Carolyn Stephenson or Finesticher as we call her on PLM. When Carolyn found out I was not going she kicked into high gear and called everywhere getting me in. By Tuesday morning arrangements were being made for me to go. Me going to Washington, D.C. a week after President Obama signs the Stem Cell Research Bill back into funding...meaning a life line has been sent to so many with Neurological Disorders living with no hope for a cure. To Carolyn I can only say she has played a huge part in this day, though she would never admit it. She never stands up and shouts but she is none the less so effective in her own ways. I'll be sixty three Saturday and when I grow up I hope to be like Carolyn even though I believe she is younger than me. I'm sorry dear, but I cannot help but follow you around in wide eye amazement and awe..... now before you find some way to delete this, want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for ever and you and Pegs first meal in Washington is on me...love Pokie