I had my first, Telemedicine, appointment with my Movement Disorder Specialist, today. The Ontario Telemedicne Network (OTN) uses videoconferencing as a way to reduce time, cost and stress associated with travelling to an appointment.
I arrived at my local hospital and was greeted by a Nurse who took me to the office and set up the screen, video camera, and faxed my medication list and a form I completed with what I wanted to discuss, to my Specialist. He received it, reviewed it, and then within 15 minutes he appeared on the screen.
We made our usual pleasantries, and I updated my wellness. He had the nurse perform the usual hand/finger coordination tests, and walking test. We then discussed how things have progressed since our last visit. As I updated him, my doctor replied, "So it sounds like things have actually improved a little for you. What brought about these changes?"
I stopped, and really had to think about this. With my doctor being transported to the room via flat screen, he was still able to hear, understand and feel my emotional well being. So I presented him with changes I had made during this PD Awareness month.
I began to explain some of the things I had adopted throughout the month, by the barrage of information that had been generated in my online PD groups. The first thing I did was ask my regular physician to include testing of my vitamin D and B12 levels through blood work. As I had expected, through the discussions and information online, they were both deficient. So I began a daily regimen of D and B12 supplements.
Including daily exercises via walking and stationary bike, seemed to help alleviate some of the rigidity I had been experiencing. This was commonly discussed as a necessity for PWP, but this month, with the push on moving (via walks, runs, dancing) for PD, I could no longer ignore the importance and impact others were receiving from daily exercise.
I got back to filling my day with hobbies and things I enjoyed, and would look forward to doing as part of a regular schedule. They included reading, which although I have always enjoyed from a young age, had simply put on the back burner. I become engrossed in a good novel, and become immersed in the world that I am reading. It gave me an hour or so of relaxation, and a way of escaping the real world.
I also got out my sewing machine, and with the news that I am going to be a grandmother in November, began to search Pinterest for baby ideas. I planned and shopped for the material to begin these new projects.
I try to get out at least once a day. To actually leave the house. It may be as menial as going to the grocery store, or library, but I am getting out of the comfort I have made in being at home. Seems so small an adjustment, but it is huge in pushing my limits.
Planning upcoming events, such as my Family Reunion, and an upcoming baby shower, have given me goals to work towards. Events that I must pre plan, set goals, and follow through with.
In short, I guess I have taken back control of my life. I am participating in life again. I am not wallowing in the fact that this disease has taken everything away from me. I have learnt to work around it, push myself, and do things that although may be uncomfortable, will impact a positive outcome on my overall health. As the saying goes ....I have Parkinson's Disease...it doesn't have me.
Now, having explained all of these changes to my doctor, who was listening to me on the big flat screen monitor, responded simply, "well keep that up....it is definitely working for you". With that he signed off and the nurse and I booked my next appointment.
PD Awareness month has bombarded my computer. I took in the information, and actually felt the necessity to finally apply it. I took control. And my Specialist, miles away, looking at me through a camera, noticed. Teleconferencing was not as impersonal as I had expected. It actually did as it professed..It reduced the stress of getting to the appointment, and allowed me to actually relax, and fully participate.
Technology continues to amaze me. Through technology I was given information, applied what was useful to me, and then delivered it to my Health Care Professional.via Teleconferencing. Who said technology is impersonal? Perhaps it is time I invested in a cell phone.....whaaattt????!! No, I still don't find the need to be connected 24/7. Baby steps.
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