You only live twice
There’s still so much that I want to do. Please don’t tell me that I won’t be able to. That my dreams will go up in virtual smoke.
Please don’t tell me that, Life.
Why it’s a good thing that a doctor doesn’t talk like a plumber.
Right, love, let’s get this brain into the MRI….NOOO! Can’t believe you still know your own name. My goodness, whoever did your veins did not have the first idea what he was doing… Quack! Wow, I’ve seen a lot in my time…but honestly. You came by in the nick of time. Better get this sorted. It might take a few months to get you back on track, but hey, you want to function somewhat reasonably, right, love?
Tell me about your Life
Tell me about when you were little; the hands with which you played in the sand, the food you shunned, the small heartaches and the huge plans. Tell me about a time when you were so sure that you’d grow up big and strong, and what you would and wouldn’t do. Tell me about the grownups, the role models in your fledgling world. Tell me about your home and your place at the kitchen table. Tell me about your first despair, your first triumph. Your very first hero. Tell me what makes you happy and sad or, better still, what makes you giggle uncontrollably. And when was the last time. Tell me what you're good and not so good at. Tell me which faces are forever in your mind, which eyes you love to see. Tell me about your favorite book, the music that makes your heart leap.…
The Hello Parkinson’s Hamper
When you had a baby, you could order a ‘hello-baby-hamper’. Don’t get me wrong – 20 years ago this was perfectly normal (I recently discovered that they still exist, by the way).
And that ‘hamper’. It was always a cardboard box crammed with all kinds of useful, cute, practical, sweet baby things. For the joyful mothers of joyful babies. Whether you screamed all day long in tandem with your screaming baby; it mattered not a jot. You were labelled ‘joyful’. (more…)
Interview Vrouw.nl (De Telegraaf) (English)
Vrouw.nl, De Telegraaf, interview, April 2017
50,000 people in the Netherlands have Parkinson’s – a progressive disease that causes certain nerve cells to die, resulting in loss of muscle control. The repercussions: tremor, stiffness and slowness.
10 things you shoud never google when you have parkinson’s
10 things you should never google if you’ve got Parkinson’s …never in a million years. How high is your risk of invalidity What happens to those dopa-producing cells that are dying off Is it hereditary Eyesight Impulsive behaviour Dementia and how you (don't) recognise it How many people with Parkinson’s can still work 10 years after diagnosis Cognitive problems What else can you get? Depression Believe me - google 1 to 9 just a little too often, and number 10 is a given.
Up close
From a distance, we all look more or less the same. Chinese people live in China, green trees grow in green woods, and grass is just grass. A desert comprises simply sand, and that’s pretty much just how it is. People with Parkinson’s have Parkinson’s, and there are millions of them. (more…)
Parkinson’s First Aid Part II. Resistance.
Remember that sea, those swirling waves and the bambino on the beach with his bucket and spade? And that sandcastle?
Well, today, I misplaced my own trusty spade. Had absolutely no idea where I’d put it. Not that I had sandcastles on my mind. Far from it. But I did want my spade back. On a day like today, not everything works and what does, works only by half. (more…)
Parkinson’s First Aid
You, or someone you know, has got Parkinson’s. Perhaps you’ve only just found out or maybe you’ve known for years. If you’ve only just found out, you’ll probably be feeling pretty overwhelmed to say the least. All you can think, is: What Now!?
Doctor vs Patient. 7 differences and 2 similarities
The differences between doctor and patient might be considerable, yet I believe the similarities far outweigh them.
Parkinsonneritis
Now, now! Tut, tut. Get a grip. I suspect you might be suffering from a touch of parkinsonneritis. Yes, you do. Not that it matters, but I hope you realise we all feel a little under the weather from time to time. I’m a complete wreck at times, yet I still manage to soldier on. Why don’t you take a nice, brisk walk? Will do you the world of good, all that fresh air. That’s what they tell people with depression and it helps them no end. Now, come on – a little rain never hurt anyone. Come on. Up and at ‘em!
Safe
No bombs are pounding your house, no zika virus is threatening your baby, no rebels are kidnapping your daughters, no mafia, no nothing. It’s pretty safe, the Netherlands.
Your children can go to school, and you can work or do whatever else takes your fancy. You can call your GP if that hamstring injury is causing unbeeeeearable pain, you can down a couple of paracetamol and crawl into your safe, warm bed. It’s pretty safe, your own existence. If you’re lucky, that is.
From Huizen. With Love. (EN version)
How are you supposed to muddle along with your work and everything? They advise you not to set your bar too high. That, quite frankly, is an insult. You’re talented, you want to have it all, you can do anything you set your mind to, so why on earth should you lower your bar? A different bar or slightly less bars, now that’s another matter. But a lower bar? That’s the same as gunning for gold in the 200m and then going for a cool-down instead. A different bar then. I recently read about a job that I would truly excel in. If, like me, you’ve got Parkinson’s, then I urge you to read on. Because this, dear reader, might just be something for you.
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No new leg and no new head either
Torn hamstring, torn calf muscle. Boy did that hurt! Went to the doctor, who duly informed me that it would take 8 to 10 weeks to recover. The pain became unbearable. Went back to the doc, and this time I wanted a new leg. ‘New leg’s not possible, I’m afraid. It’ll take 8 to 10 weeks to fully recover’– yep, you said that last time. So, no new leg? Nope, no new leg.
I’ve seen bigger moons than THAT!
I’ve seen bigger moons, declared my friend on our girlies’ night out in London. The distance between the earth and the moon was tiny that night. And it was a full moon, so it looked massive. My husband called from the Netherlands, to insist that we pop outside and take a peek. A once in a lifetime event, he said. He was right: it was colossal! Quite intimidating. Spooky, in fact. My friend was less impressed. She glanced at it nonchalantly, and declared: I’ve Seen Bigger Moons Than THAT!