Out of work

[kaypeeoh]

I've been a veterinarian in practice for 35 years. 35 years of working 6 days a week, always being available for emergency calls on Sunday. Just found out buyers have committed to a closing on Jan 28. Because of Parkinson's Disease I knew this would happen but until I got this message I was able to not think about it. So for 35 years I never took vacations; To keep my license I attended CE lectures in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and those were my vacations. I assumed the buyers will want me around for a while but maybe they'll want a clean slate, jumping in without my doddering influence. What if my PD was miraculously cured today? What if I suddenly had no need for leaving my practice? Take the money and set up a competitor practice down the road? I feel like Sheldon, forced to take vacation days by his bosses. He would wear disguises and attempt to sneak back into work. That'll show 'em. But it's not something I could do. My dad retired, had a stroke and died. My uncle retired, had a stroke and died. 40+ years of running, a stroke is unlikely.

[lenamm]

I'm also a veterinarian. I work part time now and fear that as my fine motor gets worse I'll have to stop. My practice is not sellable and getting PD at 41 was not in my retirement plans as I was going to work forever. Appreciate that you have money to retire, get out there and enjoy life while your body allows it. I fear what will happen when I can't work. If you can still do and enjoy vet work, volunteer at local clinics (in Seattle the Doney clinic treats homeless folks pets - maybe something like that in your area?)

[pdpatient]

Sell and retire when you can. The trouble with Parkinson’s is that we are neither here nor there in the eyes of the general public. In the beginning, we do get attention when we are tremor in or in other ways manifesting our condition.

However, ironically, we get a lot of negativity when people see us in our normal self like everyone else when we are well medicated and suddenly see us in a OFF state. People suddenly lose their basic trust in our capabilities just because they don’t know much about Parkinson’s.

Point is that we are not the same person anyone are even a “cure” won’t change that. I have on occasion, “forgotten” to take my medication because I wanted to “show” my OFF side to doubters. Sad that I have had to do that.

So, it looks like you are getting a lucky break. Take it.

I still feel bad for myself for not filing and taking long term disability at work when I could.

[Health1961]

If you are financially able, please use these "good" years to travel and get involved in hobbies and volunteer work. My husband kept working (his own business) until the symptoms he first had were diagnosed as PD. His balance, gait and stamina have declined so drastically over the last year that our window to enjoy retirement just slammed shut unexpectedly. There are so many, many things that I put off for retirement that I am just devastated at what we've lost. I find myself now in caregiver mode and regretting lost time when we should have retired five or ten years ago.

I hope you find the time now to do "bucket list" activities and can be happy to have the opportunity. This may be a blessing you just aren't seeing yet.

God Speed.

[bepo in reply to Health1961]

Try B1. It has helped over 3500 PD patients.

[LAJ12345]

You must keep busy and have a purpose. Volunteer work is good or a different job, less hours perhaps?

We were able to semi retire years ago with rental properties well before PD but now I think that it may have been part of my husband’s problem. With not enough to do, and no purpose he did a lot of sitting around watching telly, playing bridge on the PC, sleeping in getting lazier and lethargic. I volunteered as a budget adviser, science technician at kid’s school and helping out people where I saw a need, plus hands on Mum to 3 kids so kept much busier so haven’t wound down like he did.

One thing that has helped him has been getting a dog who drags him out on walks, all weather, and now he volunteers as bridge director at the local club so he is much busier and happier.

PS the next post on my news feed says keep your frontal lobe working!

healthunlocked.com/parkinso...

[bepo]

That really sucks. Have you tried B1?

[GymBag]

I know many people (with and with-out PD) who where semi-forced into retirement and were angry because they liked working , liked their job and said they had no idea what they would do with their time .

I spoke with these people 9 to12 months after their retirement and did not find a single person who was not glad that he had retired early.

Now quite wining , adapt and get on with the rest of your life. Enjoy your retirement while you can, It is later than you think

[katherinecompton22]

While I retired to take care of my husband's needs and not because of my physical limitations, I love the flexibility retirement allows, and have gotten to indulge in some activities that I used to have limited time for, such as political activism, alone time with my grandkids, exercise, etc. I miss the problem-solving, the feelings of pride at setting up systems/procedures that WORKED, knowing I was integral in establishing a work culture that facilitated learning and compassion. While caregiving is where I'm needed now, I've kept my nursing licensure active. Who knows, maybe someday I'll be in a position to help some group doing hurricane relief or vaccine clinics where a compulsive organizer/slow -but- steady nurse is needed. This is probably blasphemy to some veterinarians, but I enjoy watching vet shows that feature their volunteer work (spay/neuter clinics in underserved areas, wildlife rescue/treatment, and often regret my decision not to become a vet (well, perhaps not my decision, maybe organic chemistry's).