This is sort of a part 2 of the earlier post. Some may think this is sick humor but I think it’s pretty funny so I’m back to share – like it or not.
With the Parkinson’s, Frank doesn’t walk quite right. His right side is affected so he doesn’t swing his arm when he walks, his leg doesn’t move properly and he sorta leans forward. When we were at the doctor’s, Frank said if he forces himself to stand more upright and concentrates on his stride, he walks more normally but he was complaining that it’s a lot of work.
The doctor told him something like, “Your brain can rewire itself. It can be trained. If you do that, you will train it and it will become easier.” She also said he needs to exercise as much as possible, which is hard with the hours he works.
Fast forward to tonight: We needed some twine to tie up the newspapers. Instead of hopping in the car, we walked the 4 blocks to the store. Exercise, ya know. So as we’re walking, I notice he does seem to be walking a bit taller. (Hard thing to do when you’re only 5’4″ to begin with!) I decide to be his little cheering squad.
“Hey, you look normal! Okay, now swing that arm.”
“I can only concentrate on one thing at a time.”
“No problem,” I tell him and I dance around to his right side and push his arm so that he’s swinging it. Anyone who happened to peek outside and saw us would have thought we were nuts. Of course they’d be right.
Then I was complaining how it hurts to shake stuff with my right arm – you know, like say I want to make mojitos or I need to shake a can of Pledge.
“Oh, you need to let me do all the shaking around the house because I can shake things up real good. The problem, of course, is then I can’t stop shaking.”
Okay, I will go quietly now…
Well, if you would get on his right side and hold hands while you’re walking to get twine you could swing his right arm with your good left hand and arm and anyone watching would think you were a pair of lovers instead of a pair of nutcases. And what makes you think anyone is watching anyhow and who cares what they think if they are watching.
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I’m editing this note not because I need to, but just because I can, because in less than two hours I can’t.
Hehehe…I’m a fan of humor in all its forms, but sometimes ESPECIALLY sick humor. Really, what’s the alternative? Sounds to me like you and Frank were made for each other; I’ll leave it to you to figure out what that means! HAHA! The bottom line is, I’m just very glad you don’t have to worry about him becoming a drug addict, too. People with addictions are SO bothersome!
Peggy, Now what fun would that be if people didn’t think we were nuts? Actually I do hold his hand & make him swing his arm.
Kim, We definitely are made for each other.