One of the consequences of the Michael J. Fox interview with Oprah was there was a lot of online chatter about the show. One thing I noticed was that many people used the phrase, "suffering from Parkinson's" to describe Fox. This made me wonder if I feel I am suffering from Parkinson's versus living with it.

My Parkinson's has not progressed near the amount Fox's has. This is due to length of diagnosis, medical advancements since his first diagnosis and probably a host of other issues. This may give me a different perspective; however, based upon his statement's about Parkinson's not defining him and how it made him a better parent as well as his good humor, I hope he feels similar to me.

When I think of suffering, I think of Lance Armstrong riding up Alpe D'Huez. I think of suffering in terms of pain, not in terms of hardship. People who break bones or are going through chemo are suffering because those things hurt. My major "pain" is medicine induce nausea and that is more of a pain in the behind than an actual pain. My symptoms, while annoying, can be overcome and dealt with. I can type with one hand when my tremor acts up, as I am doing now, or ask for help with a particular act that requires more dexterity than I now have; however, I am not suffering, I am living my life. I go to work and earn a good living and provide for my family. I can be active and play with my kids as well as take care of my daughter's special needs. I have a good life, I am just slower at some activities than others.

Where I occasionally see suffering is my loved ones. I dealt with my diagnosis a lot quicker than others in my family. There is actual anguish and suffering on the part of most people's loved ones because of the loss of a healthy spouse, parent, sibling, child, etc. And often the loved ones must suffer alone because they think others would see them as selfish since they do not have the disease. I would say, instead of chastising them or talking behind their backs, try to understand that major diseases like PD changes the loved ones lives as well. Support them as much, if not more than those living with a disease. I have no problem asking for more time or help, while those around me and others with serious diseases may feel more self conscious.

So what is the point of all this, other than a stream of consciousness? I hope others will not pity people in similar situations to mine, but will feel empathy. Empathy for the person living with their condition and those around them as well. The difference between pity and empathy is the time to understand, but that is a subject for another post.