{"id":33438,"date":"2012-11-01T12:07:19","date_gmt":"2012-11-01T16:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parkinson.netfirms.com\/epp_e\/?p=242"},"modified":"2012-11-01T12:07:19","modified_gmt":"2012-11-01T16:07:19","slug":"living-well-with-parkinsons-bill-andrus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archiveparkinson.thedev.ca\/fr\/living-well-with-parkinsons-bill-andrus\/","title":{"rendered":"Living well with Parkinson\u2019s: Bill Andrus"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Bill

Bill Andrus (middle) and his wife Margaret, with their children and grandchildren.<\/p><\/div>\n

When Bill Andrus was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s seven years ago, at age 51, his first reaction was relief. \u201cIf we know what it is, at least we can treat it.\u201d<\/p>\n

That relief was quickly replaced by anger and fear of the unknown. \u201cNow, I knew I had Parkinson\u2019s but what did it mean? How long did I have? How would Parkinson\u2019s impact my life, my career and my plans?\u201d As a project manager in the financial services industry, Bill says, \u201cI was all about planning and goals but Parkinson\u2019s makes you second-guess and re-evaluate everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Within 18 months of the diagnosis, Bill took medical leave. \u201cThe job required a high level of energy, multi-tasking and concentration, but Parkinson\u2019s made all of this difficult,\u201d says Bill. \u201cI was worried about finances and my future. I didn\u2019t know anyone else with Parkinson\u2019s, so it felt as if I was on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

But not for long. Bill\u2019s neurologist and staff at the Centre for Movement Disorders in Markham, Ontario put him in touch with his regional Parkinson Society. Bill says, \u201cIt was the best thing they could have done because, within days, I was in contact with them. Sandie Jones, Coordinator of Client Services and Education at Parkinson Society Central & Northern Ontario spent time with me on the phone. She sent me a wealth of information, including brochures on everything from what Parkinson\u2019s is to how to treat individual symptoms. I couldn\u2019t have asked for more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill decided to join his local Parkinson\u2019s support group. Any initial fears about attending were dispelled by the friendliness of the people he met. \u201cIt\u2019s been a big help for me to interact with people who have had Parkinson\u2019s for 10, 15, 20 years,\u201d says Bill. \u201cLooking at them and seeing what they have accomplished since their diagnosis gives me a lot of inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n

As current leader of the group, Bill finds, \u201cOne of the best things about being in a support group is having the freedom to acknowledge what you are feeling and to ask questions that you wouldn\u2019t ask in another group of friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

To manage his symptoms and live as fully as possible, Bill relies on three cornerstones: medication \u2013 the dosage has increased over the years; exercise \u2013 a 30-minute daily walk and regular yoga; and rest \u2013 fatigue and sleep problems are his most troublesome symptoms, so he will rest in the afternoon after a difficult night.<\/p>\n

The sleepless nights have yielded an unexpected bonus, in unleashing Bill\u2019s creative side. He started writing poetry<\/a> one night when he couldn\u2019t sleep; now it\u2019s a regular activity. He says, \u201cIt\u2019s a different way of expressing my thoughts. It also helps me reduce stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

An avid fundraiser, Bill walks with about 20 family members and friends in Parkinson SuperWalk each year. For him, \u201cFundraising is about raising awareness. If somebody cares enough to make a donation, then that\u2019s one more person who knows about Parkinson\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Bill\u2019s message to people with Parkinson\u2019s is: \u201cKeep active, keep positive and keep a good circle of friends around you.\u201d<\/p>\n

*************<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s<\/b><\/h2>\n

By Bill Andrus<\/em><\/p>\n

51 years old and I have Parkinson\u2019s Disease!
\nThe Doctors told me so. They are the experts.
\nWhat do I feel? How am I supposed to feel?
\nRelief, I actually feel relief, for a while.<\/p>\n

Doctors, tests, medications, therapy and more
\nOver the last years, three or four.
\nFinally a label, a diagnosis, a reason.
\nIt\u2019s not MS, ALS, Huntington\u2019s or a Brain tumor.
\nI have Parkinson\u2019s, the doctors say!<\/p>\n

Finally a reason my writing is illegible and small,
\nAnd my arm does not swing au naturel.
\nUnderstanding now, that little annoying tremor,
\nAnd why, when during a walk, I may stumble.
\nTiredness, fatigue, small tasks require big efforts.
\nIt\u2019s OK, I have Parkinson\u2019s Disease.<\/p>\n

Relief is a very quick emotion, soon over.
\nDenial, disbelief fills the void. How can they be sure?
\nDoctors, only human, make mistakes.
\nParkinson\u2019s is treatable, they say, good drugs and exercise.
\nBut what I have, must be Curable and soon.
\nMost likely a pinched nerve, I believe.
\nI am only 51, how can I have Parkinson\u2019s disease?<\/p>\n

Frustration, anger, confusion. This was not in my life\u2019s plan.
\nLevodopa, carbidopa, mirapex, clonazapam and more
\nDrugs, I don\u2019t want to understand and certainly should not need.
\nExercise, stretch, walk, eliminate stress, get your rest, they say.
\nMy career? I choose an early leave, Focusing now on staying well
\nFor me, my family and our friends.
\nI have Parkinson\u2019s disease, like it or not!<\/p>\n

No longer 51, I accept what I cannot change.
\nMy life\u2019s plan now a continuous curve,
\naround the corner, I cannot see.
\nEach day, new challenges, full of surprises.
\nOn questions of why and what ifs, I don\u2019t dwell.
\nI am where I am and it is what it is.
\nI have Parkinson\u2019s disease and it will be OK.<\/p>\n

Doctors, nurses, health workers and support groups help,
\nPrescribing, teaching and sharing their wisdom.
\nDrugs, therapy, exercise, knowledge and caring.
\nI accept, learn and work with each one,
\nBuilding strength, confidence and courage to go on.
\nI have Parkinson\u2019s disease, but it\u2019s not all bad.<\/p>\n

Through talking, laughter and being with others,
\nSharing tears of joy and frustration, the journey continues.
\nSupported by family, friends and other Parkinsonians,
\nLearning from their stories and sharing mine,
\nI move forward one hesitant step at a time.
\nI feel lucky and a little relieved.
\nI have Parkinson\u2018s disease and I know what it is!<\/p>\n

To see more examples of the creativity of people with Parkinson\u2019s, visit Creative Expressions<\/a>.
\nIf you would like us to feature your journey with Parkinson\u2019s, please emaileditor@parkinson.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Bill Andrus was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s seven years ago, at age 51, his first reaction was relief. \u201cIf we … En savoir plus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[237],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLiving well with Parkinson\u2019s: Bill Andrus - Parkinson Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Living well with Parkinson\u2019s: Bill Andrus - Parkinson Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When Bill Andrus was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s seven years ago, at age 51, his first reaction was relief. \u201cIf we ... 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