Tai chi class: I was at a Tai Chi class... - Cure Parkinson's

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Tai chi class

kaypeeoh profile image
6 Replies

I was at a Tai Chi class at Hartford Health a few days ago and a nurse asked if I could comment on the program, pluses or minuses.. I don't know how much detail you want so I apologize now if this this is TMI:

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in Utah in 2019. By March of 2020 I was in Connecticut after having sold my veterinary practice and home and moving to Connecticut.

I was one of those people who "Live To Work". I ran my practice for 35 years. I didn't take vacations. I didn't take weekends off. The practice was open six days a week and I worked six days a week. I regularly saw emergency cases after-hours and on Sundays. So losing all that to Parkinson's Disease was more than a shock. Even though I'm 67 I never thought about retirement because I never planned to retire. One more reason why this was more than a shock.

You asked what classes I attended. Upstairs there was a class on movement disorders. We learned about taking bigger steps and being mindful. Ultimately they said I was normal and didn't need more classes. Then I took acupuncture sessions for several months. Again ultimately it was decided that I didn't need more sessions. Then I took classes for dealing with constipation. As a result, I bought a Squatty Potty--great tool!--and I still take Motegrity.

Now I' m taking Tai Chi classes.

You asked if it has improved my life. Something definitely has but I don't know which has helped the most. In the early days I was nearly suicidal. I could no longer work and felt that without work what's the point of a life. In the early days I dreamed that I was still working. Then waking up each day and realising I didn't have a job to go to and I'm back to the idea of: What's the point?

Then last night I again dreamed I was at work. Unlike earlier dreams there wasn't a sense of doom. A client had brought in a dog to be euthanized. I gave it an IV dose of medication to stop its heart. And left it lying dead in the cage. Later I walked into the room to check on other patients, I felt a cold, wet nose bumping my arm, I turned to see the euthanized dog alive and wagging its tail at me.

Upon waking I didn't feel the morose sense of loss that had plagued me that past few years. Maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel and maybe it's not an on-coming train.

In other words, I'm no longer suicidal and no longer thinking nothing but 'gloom and doom'.

Yes I would recommend this for other patients. Again I apologize if this is TMI.

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kaypeeoh
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6 Replies
Bolt_Upright profile image
Bolt_Upright

Another great post! Thanks!

kaypeeoh profile image
kaypeeoh in reply toBolt_Upright

Thanks, re-reading the message I think it wasn't clear that it was a copy of the email I sent to the nurse.

Painty23Painty profile image
Painty23Painty

Great post!

Zella23 profile image
Zella23

Pleased to hear youre doing so well! Excellent!

Smittybear7 profile image
Smittybear7

Glad you are doing well. Wish you continued success.

pearlette profile image
pearlette

Wow ! That came from the heart.

You have nailed the principle of living life, despite life .

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