Ashis K Mishra
Background
I started getting certain symptoms around 2007-08 which five years later were identified to be that of Parkinson’s. During the time between the start of symptoms and the diagnosis there were negative emotions, which would cover most in the list of sample words you have provided. I was concerned, apprehensive of what is in store for me. There was a respite still, as the symptoms had not started effecting my daily routine.
Diagnosis
I used to have back/neck pain which I now, very recently started relating to PD), for which we, me and my wife would visit many doctors and therapists. Such visits in India for few years didn’t yield any result, then I shifted to UAE to take up a new job.
Visits to doctors continued in Abu Dhabi as well. During one such visits in 2011/12 to a general physician, came the MOMENT, when the doctor pointed to PD and asked me to see a Neurologist. The Neuro confirmed!!
There was no question of breaking the news to my wife, as she would always accompany me to the doctor and was privy to what was told to me.
After long days of the felling of “WHY ME, there were these positive emotions – “Gratitude and Thankfulness” first for the doctor who identified and foremost for GOD, for showing a direction, where I can treat my ailment the right way.
My kids were very small, 10 years and 6 years to be precise, to make anything out of it had we told them then.
Though today, I do my best to keep negativity, both words and emotions, at bay, 2012 was the time when I had to be circumspect, think of how to bring up the children, how to continue the job et al.
The Triumph
11 years have since passed, I did well at work, which I am doing to date. As we all know, ‘tremor’ is not very common in YOPD, and with no much outwardly visible symptoms, I never had to look for a window to announce to my kids that I have PD. My wife knew it already I consider kids learned naturally at home as they reached the age where they could make some meaning of it.
Yes, my mother and brother didn’t accept it immediately. But slowly they came to terms with reality. My brother was here for my 1st surgery and would join again for the 2nd part next week
My daughter went on to study her UG in Engineering at a University in Hong Kong and would start working there from next month. My son now in Class 12 doing very good at studies.
The first time, very recently around start of 2022, I had to explicitly tell my daughter of my condition. I told her about my medication – Pramipexole, the ICD the medicine induced in me and its impact.
To my son, as we drive back from school to home (I like to pick him from school), I casually tell him what happens when one gets PD.
What is important is to have the belief that YES, I CAN
