Persistence and Parkinson’s

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."  Calvin Coolidge Persistence: Besides remaining hopeful, being persistent …

Contentment, Gratitude, And Mindfulness

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” Thich Nhat Hanh “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”  Maya Angelou “Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.” Eleanor Roosevelt Contentment:Life is not like the typical interstate highway, smooth, …

Stumble. Fall. Stand. Adapt. Re-Learn. Keep Going. Stay Strong!

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” Winston Churchill The So-Called …

How Do You Feel When You Wake Up Each Morning?

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it."  Kevyn Aucoin "I wake up every morning …

Isradipine: Shutting the Door on Calcium Channels to Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s

"The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." Barbara Kingsolver Doors Opening and Closing, an Analogy for Calcium Channels:  Carrie Newcomer sings …

Imagine Yourself Then, Imagine Yourself Now With Parkinson’s

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston S. Churchill Imagine yourself then, imagine yourself now. What are the differences? I …

Physicians in the Constellation of Care

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”  Edward Everett Hale “A year from now you may wish you had started today.” Karen Lamb Constellation of Care: In …

Dopamine: A Symbol of Hope

"As I ate breakfast one morning, I overheard two oncologists conversing. One complained bitterly, 'You know, Bob, I just don't understand it, We used the same schedule and the same dosage, and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22 percent response rate and you got a 74 percent. That's unheard of for metastatic …

Parkinson mPower iPhone Application: Tracking Symptoms in Real Time

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith." Steve Jobs Parkinson mPower iPhone App: Do you think a smartphone app that measures several symptoms in Parkinson's would be helpful (personally)? Do you want to be part of an international study to monitor symptoms/progression of Parkinson's? Are you willing to give feedback/suggestions …

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Parkinson’s

"The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better." Paulo Coelho In a recent post, I listed the various types of therapy being used to treat my Parkinson's.  Importantly, I believe …