Re: doubting Thomas

[Greg Sterling <sterling@xxxxxxxx>]

Dick,
Words of wisdom.  How true!

Greg
47/35/35

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dick Swindler" <DSwind2940@xxxxxxx>
To: <PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: doubting Thomas


> Alf -
> 
> You've received a whole lot of excellent replies to your question.  It must
> be one that strikes a chord with lots of group members.  I agree that your
> wife probably just needs time to adjust to the diagnosis.  You have constant
> "internal" reminders that it's real, judging by the symptoms you've noted.
> Those symptoms probably aren't all that obvious to an observer, so your wife
> can more easily continue to deny the symptoms than you can.  I liked the idea
> of reminding her that you are NOT that old, and that you shouldn't be
> experiencing all of the symptoms as a result of aging.  If all else fails,
> the "You must be getting old, dear," comment about HER complaints might get
> her attention!  <grin>
> 
> I have one question for you:  is your wife employed outside the home, or are
> you the only breadwinner in the family?  I'd think if you were the only wage
> earner, your wife might be more frightened than if she knew she could support
> the family if need be.  It's a scary thing to suddenly find one's imagined
> future, and future security, snatched away.  That definitely requires
> adjustment time, and as someone else said, time for mourning once the
> diagnosis is accepted.  In my experience, one can actually mourn the
> appearance of each significant new symptom, too.
> 
> I'm glad you've joined the list, and as you've seen from the responses to
> your question, this is the place to come to find the kind of understanding
> and support you won't find anyplace else.
> 
> Margie Swindler, cg for Dick, 55/18
>