My Menopause Blog

The Parkinson’s Recovery Program continues to be the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. As I progress with my treatments, my symptoms get worse. Counter-intuitive I know but true to the protocol just the same.

I’m living life in slow-mo. Basic tasks take forever. Fine motor skills are defunct. Mobility is limited. Emotions crest and fall daily. I’m in need of relaxed company - very difficult to find in this sped up world. Most of my peeps are out saving the world or at least leaping tall buildings while I’m on my yoga mat watching spring sprout.

Still - even though THIS SUCKS - recovery is on my horizon. At least I hope that’s what the glimmer is in the distance.

If you want to lend me a hand, friends set up this site: Helping Friends .

Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, pd recovery, menopause symptoms .

“Although, at present, uninformed as to the precise nature of the disease, still it ought not to be considered as one against which there exists no countervailing remedy.”

— James Parkinson, 1817

The last 10 days have been rough. The Parkinson’s recovery program that I’m following is technically easy but results in physiological changes that are no walk in the park. Actually, it’s no walk anywhere. I’m barely leaving the property.

Yup I can honesty say this is the hardest physical challenge I’ve ever faced. But I can face it because it makes sense to me. I understand this new paradigm of thinking about Parkinson’s. And like James Parkinson, I don’t believe Parkinson’s is incurable.

I’m also overwhelmed by the plethora of support - grateful for it, humbled by it, in need of it and somewhat baffled by it. I’m receiving with as much grace as I can muster.

Lots of emo-baggage is showing up too. Just to be sure I’m checking the claim check tags for identification and wouldn’t you know, it’s all my stuff - old fear, fear, fear.

And so it goes. Spring brings birth and new beginnings.

I’m ready.

Sue Richards

Life IS funny.

For over 20 year’s I’ve put on a steady stream of events, show and parties and never SOLD OUT a single one in advance. Who knew a Parkinson’s Dance Party would be so popular.

Yes the Fun(d)raiser was a roaring sell out success! Thank you to the gazillion people who made the bash so fun and wonderful! I wish I could have hugged you all but the combination of being overwhelmed and mobility challenged curbed my desire.

If you really wanted to attend the great event but didn’t get a ticket, you can still be on Team Sue. Good vibe is always welcome and supremely helpful. Plus my community have set up a helping friends website to help ease the financial burden. Check this out.

I know I’ve strayed from the key topic of this blog of late - but as you might imagine, I needed to put my menopause in the backseat for a spell. Yes I’m still managing a fine array of hormonally induced symptoms but they really can’t hold a candle to PD. Still, my intention is to find my new voice that somehow blends the two - shaking AND hot!

Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms .

I’m now 19 weeks into the pdrecovery.org treatment protocol for Parkinson’s.

I’m showing the early signs of improvement.

My 50th Birthday balloons have deflated but I haven’t thrown them out.

Both night sweats and hot flashes have resumed at a ’slow boil’ range of heat and intensity - manageable but only with my thermostat set at 15C/59F. (Please be advised that all non-meno visitors get blankets.)

My friends are hosting a fun(d)raiser for me on Saturday night.

Me thinks I’m at the epicenter of a miracle.

Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms , pdrecovery , Parkinsons .

Menopause arrives

without any punctuation.

Period free zone.

~Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms

Turtleneck hides

skin, loose, thin, wrinkled

Fashion keeps secrets

~Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms

Gray hairs wave boldly

like children at a parade

Life marches on by

~Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms

The moisture beads

Like gems of wisdom on my skin

Tropic of Menopause

~Sue Richards

Menopause Tags: My Menopause Blog, my menopause blog,Sue Richards, peri-menopausal, menopause relief, guelph blog, baby boomer, womens health news, menopause symptoms