A lot has happened

 A lot has happened since 2022. In 2022, it was noticed that my husband wasn’t ‘quite right.’ At first we thought he was depressed. His brother was diagnosed with a Brain tumour, and one of our daughters was recovering from lung cancer, plus a lot of other stuff. His place of work were getting concerned, and his health just seemed to be deteriorating. After a GP visit, he was put on antidepressants which were helping, but not overly improving him. Then, at the beginning of 2023, Rich lost all mobility and ended up in hospital where he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As he didn’t have any tremors, it wasn’t picked up until then. There was a marked improvement the next day of taking medication to help with Parkinson’s, and so, a new journey in our lives began. Now two years in, he is now having a medication tweak, in that his Parkinson’s meds have been increased, as he has Bradykinesia, his muscles are very stiff. Also, his antidepressant has been changed. He also suffers with high anxieties, that go along with Parkinson’s.

These new antidepressants have worked wonders in the daytime. His confidence is returning, and he’s enjoying doing small DIY jobs again. Something he’s had no interest for a few years. Night times though it’s been a different story. As part of the Parkinson’s, he has an REM disorder, and acts out his dreams, and this new antidepressant has worsened this. After ringing the Parkinson’s help team, he now will be taking a tablet to counteract this. He hasn’t started this one yet, as we’re waiting for the GP to prescribe it, so watch this space.

On top of this, Rich has to have a prostrate test. He’s just had his bloods done. He has a GP follow up appointment next week. So again, watch this space.

We are both retired now, well Rich is. I seem to be busier than ever lol. We’ve been blessed with three new grandchildren within six months, making that nine little blessings. Little Luca entered out family on August, followed by Jude at the end of January, then ten days later, in the beginning of February, little Daisy came along. We are so blessed.

I’m hoping to be able to use this blog to share my journey as a care giver. (My 93 year old mum also lives with, so I am also a carer to her.) To share Rich’s journey coping with Parkinson’s. Also, how I’m hoping to make diet changes that will encourage well being and better health, especially where the Parkinson’s is concerned. Finally I hope to share how we are coping as a retired couple in keeping our lives as simple as we can 😊