The second month.
In this update more settling in to the new regime.
Walking.
I have further progressively increased my steps and still haven't missed a day walking.
Still sticking to my regime means up at 6 am for a walk. I am doing a bit over 3km in the first session daily.
Picking up the pace of the walk and have progressively extended my duration with a new circuit along Sumners Road and across to Horizon drive for the trek back. I have passed 4500 steps for the first walk, sneaking in a semi - daily for extra office area stroll during the day. I'm making a real improvement and averaged over 6000 steps through the week. Its certainly chilly in the mornings and I definitely look forward to the hot shower when i get back home. Headphones on and Radio Hauraki breakfast show with Matt & Jerry via i-heart radio helps me keep a great pace and keep informed on fresh NZ news
Medication.
I have been on a revised regime of dopamine tablets three times a day at 6 am - 12 pm - 6 pm. The originals were with food, these are on empty stomach hence the adjusted time frame. Actually easier to manage as I can take one then head off on my walk. Lunch easier and aligns the evening one with dinner much simpler too. Initial observations are that the increased dose is better with it keeping me going steadily for the duration and no side effects like nausia it seems.
Informing the Masses.
Continuing the process of informing those who needed to know. Picking the right time to chat individually. Good feedback and support with some of my 4101 friends also lined up to walk the river trails with me.
Research.
More time since diagnosis researching this disorder, reading and assessing much material from numerous sources. Some good, some out there. More information will be reviewed and anything that I feel worthy or interesting I will link to on the resources pages of this site.
Some news links and interesting articles now on the resources page.
Joining in with others.
Following along as a newby member to the Parkinson's Queensland Inc, I have registered for a zoom meeting already on DBS - not that I think that's something i need to consider, but certainly an interesting field to know more about.
Pilates.
Following the walking and discussions about "core strength" it appears that I am going for an assessment / interview session at a local pilates etc place. After a false start when they misplaced my appointment record, its all on for this week. Who knows it might be fun, only one way to find out I guess.
Well ... I went for an assessment session with Justine down at the local pilates / physio place. Seems less daunting than I had imagined. She worked me through each of the apparatus and wrote up some notes on each to put together a program for me to work with. The pieces of equipment were interesting with the the various contraptions having all manor of springs, rollers, levers and handles. I guess I will get to know what they are actually all called in due course.
Most of the focus is on core strength and balance with the trickiest piece of equipment proving to be the simplest one. A foam rubber square that I had to put one foot in front of the other on an imaginary line from the corner diagonal. "Just stand there.... without holding on to the rail". A bit wobbly for sure and something that I will be monitoring and aiming to improve.
More to follow when I book in for a real session.
Still so far so good.
Everything is ticking along - have settled in to a routine with activities and meds, like a personal ground hog day. Work is busy, lots going on and that's the way I prefer it. Brain activity involving the thinking part still seems to be good to go. Had a new project on the GC integrating some systems which I very much enjoyed. Getting a few other ducks in a row work wise now that the distractions are less.
And that is all for just now - keep a lookout for the next post.