Well, it is almost upon us again. My once, very favorite time of the year. "Once", meaning, pre-diagnosis. Now, I understand where the Grinch, Scrooge, and the many, "Bah Humbugs", I've heard over the years, have come from.. The ones whom I would stare at in disbelief, my jaw surely dropping to the floor. Those that did not LOVE the Christmas season.
Christmas carols, cards, angels, Santa, lights, trees....all the things that I would look most forward to. And, as an Elementary School Teacher, I was as busy as an elf, taking in all the Christmas fun a person could absorb. Then......the Grinch seemed to take over, slowly at first......then totally transforming me within the last couple of years.
Parkinson's Disease can do that to you.....not just at Christmas, but at any occasion that once filled your heart with anticipation and joy. Parkinson's replaces the anticipation with dread, and the joy, with hesitation.
Of course we continuously dabble in the realm of apathy, but preparing for big family celebrations is beyond that. It is an awareness that you are about to have every bit of energy zapped from your body. And any reserve you may have stored will be sucked out in the week following the big event.
Preparations will appear overwhelming - make a list, prioritise, ask for assistance, cross things off if needed
The social aspect can be daunting - keep invitations to a minimum, or break large group up into more
more manageable groupings, prepare yourself with general
conversation starters if needed (eg. How are your children/family etc,
Set time of gatherings around your best part of the day - when you are most focused, medications are
"on" times, you are the least fatigued
Physically limit as required - perhaps skip the hayrides, and insist you stay to help the hostess, or remove
yourself from the large group, to a more intimate area that will
allow you to attend to one conversation/activity/etc., at a time
Have an understanding Care Partner with you - someone who knows your routines, struggles, medications a
and your areas of strength
Whatever the activity - ALWAYS take your medications on time. Allow someone to assist with the timing
and reminders, as required.
So in reality, it is not that PWP become Scrooge or Grinch-like at Christmas time. Rather, we need to prepare ourselves, emotionally, physically and medicinally, so that we can enjoy and participate to the very best we are able. Time. We just need more time, and please forgive our "slowness". Patience is a gift to us....better than any wrapped up under the tree.
When we have some of these things in place, we can begin to love the holidays again. Love to entertain again, and feel like we are part of life, again.
A very happy, merry, blessed, Christmas to one and all!!!! Stay strong.....Take your meds on time!!
