The Nest

Ugh, that's awful.  Bad confluence of factors there.  Hopefully he can get it all straightened out soon.

Walking is definitely a huge problem for people with parkinsons - getting initiated and following thru on steps.  Has he done any work with using cues, like a metronome or actively focusing on his movement?  A lot of people with parkinsons do really well with initiating and following thru when they have a beat or rhythm to follow (even if it's just in their head)  He could even count in his head to get going.  Another trick is to shift weight side to side to initiate movement.

Has he ever been to CNI (colorado neurological institute)?  They're on Hampden right by Swedish.  They focus only on neurological diagnoses and maybe they could get him in sooner than waiting for his neurologist and could determine if he's safe for driving (they have therapists there as well as social workers).  Their # is 303-597-1724.

Love the new pic of Owen!  Cutie!

I know how you feel...Jeff's dad has been suffering from Parkinson's for the last 7 years.  It does suck.  As much as I hate saying it, I wish he would get his license taken away - he can be super scary to drive with sometimes.  Most of the time he is okay, but every once and a while, I worry that he's going to hurt himself, or someone else.  I also don't think it's my place to talk to him about all of this (I wish Jeff would).

That said, he is much better at driving than walking.  He has the "Parkinson's shuffle" most of the time, and although he doesn't freeze up in tight places, sometimes he trips on his own feet.  It's so heartbreaking.  The other thing I hate is when we're out in public (out to dinner for example), and our server thinks he's being rude or short because his speech is slow and his tone is monotone.  I just want to scream out, "he has Parkinson's, he's really friendly," but that would be weird.

Man, Parkinson's really does suck.  I'm sorry, Cathy.

I'm so sorry.  I really like your dad, and to know he is sad breaks my heart.

I'll ask him about the metronome.  Maybe having one running in the house all the time would help. He has a laser cane, which has helped some.  It shines a little laser line on the ground and basically gives him something tho shoot for.  I'm not sure which clinic he goes to, but I know it's by Swedish (or at Swedish?)  He's been doing a magnetic study thing near there, I know.

It probably is CNI.  The laser cane is awesome, and they have a new 4 wheeled walker laser walker - the only problem with that is it's really heavy and hard to use to go down steps.  Around the house sometimes people will put masking tape lines in order for the person to practice taking larger steps to avoid that shuffling gait.  As you obviously know, the hardest part for parkinsons patients is initiation - once they get going they do pretty well!

He had me try holding an Oreo in front of him, but it didn't work :)  He did have tape all over their old house, and the new one is more open, so that helps a lot.  I don't think he'd do a walker.  Part of the problem is him not wanting to feel like an invalid so he turns down a lot of stuff, KWIM?

LM3B, I forgot that your FIL has Parkinson's.  RP#s FIL does too.  It sucks watching them struggle.  :(   

I'm so sorry :( My grandpa has Parkinson's too, and it's tough. He used to love - LOVE - to go out dancing with his girlfriend, and always seemed so young for his age, and then at my sister's wedding he couldn't even dance with her. It does suck big time. I hope your dad is able to get good help at the clinic he's going to.

That sounds like a tough situation, I'm sorry :(

That's so sad, I'm sorry that happened to him. I have a couple of patients that have Parkinsons's and to watch their minds still be sharp but their bodies not cooperate, it's so tough.

schoolsoutbride:

He had me try holding an Oreo in front of him, but it didn't work :)  He did have tape all over their old house, and the new one is more open, so that helps a lot.  I don't think he'd do a walker.  Part of the problem is him not wanting to feel like an invalid so he turns down a lot of stuff, KWIM?

LM3B, I forgot that your FIL has Parkinson's.  RP#s FIL does too.  It sucks watching them struggle.  :(   

LOL at the Oreo! 

Jeff's folks moved to a new house that doesn't have as many stairs (they do most of their living upstairs, but have a finished basement for guests and entertaining large crowds), and that has helped tremendously.  He fell down the stairs at their old place, and internal bleeding led my FIL to the ICU for two weeks.  It was so scary.

Jeff's dad is the same in that he doesn't want special attention paid to his Parkinson's - he would prefer to carry on as usual, and that just doesn't happen.  He gets so embarrassed when someone comes to his aid when he can't get out of his chair in a restaurant, or when he can't get off the couch when he has to use the restroom.  I think that is the most difficult thing for him - being made to feel like he's "different".

I know, I've talked with Rachel about her FIL's Parkinson's, but I didn't realize that your dad had it, too.  Life just isn't fair - all of these men seem like amazing guys (I know my FIL is amazing), they so don't deserve this.

:(  How terribly frustrating that must be for him.  I'm so sorry...you know I have some personal experience with this too.  (((hug)))

I'm so sorry.  You Dad sounds like such a neat man, and it is so hard for men to adapt to a life that they have no control over.

I sometimes wonder why the world works the way it does.  One of our dear leaders at church is in top shape physically, not a problem in the world, but his poor mind is ravaged by alztheimers and his family literally prays something will come along to age his body.

 

I'm sorry!!  that has to be so hard!

I'm sorry.  Seeing someone you love with Parkinson's is hard.  My Grandfather has been living with it for nearly 30 years (or more).  He is in his mid 80's and can no longer walk or stand on his own.  I've always known him with it, and its always broken my heart to see him not be able to do things b/c of it.

I hope he gets an appt. soon and can get his license back.

Oh no. :(  I really hope he can get in quickly and they can get him a note for him to drive again. 

I'm so sorry.  It sucks to watch your parents age.

((hugs))