My Journey with Parkinson's Disease
By Annie Giesbrecht
In telling my story I hope I can be of some encouragement to someone
who is facing a difficult time in their life.
I grew up in a Christian home during the depression years. I am the
second youngest of 6 siblings. My father believed that every girl
needed a vocation and so I became a nurse. After graduation I spent
most of my nursing years in Geriatric Nursing which I thoroughly
enjoyed.
I married truck driver Dave, and we had 4 children. Dave was a
truck driver all his working years. He joined the Transport For
Christ Organization in the 1970's and has been a "volunteer" all
these years. Along with a full time job and a hobby farm that
needed 6 volunteers to operate it, our family was kept busy! The
children learned how to milk a cow, feed the pigs and chickens, grow
a vegetable garden and many other interesting things that happen on
the farm. Dave worked long hours on the waterfront during his 34
years of work.
There were some difficult years for me when I struggled with
depression.
Psalm 37: 23 & 24 The steps of a man are established by the
Lord; And He delights in his way. When he falls (or when I fall),
he (I) shall not be hurled headlong: Because the Lord is the One
who holds his (my) hand.
This verse was a comfort and help to me during those tough years.
Somehow, with help from the Medical Staff and the Lord, I was
able to accomplish the tasks at hand.
As age crept up, we prepared for my retirement and it was with much
trepidation that I left the job that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was
only a few years later when I realized I was having other symptoms
that I wanted to ignore. Yes, I knew the "tell-tell" symptoms that
I was trying to ignore. The Neurologist confirmed my suspicions
putting the name Parkinson's Disease to my symptoms. Yes, I had
been right in my observation, but hearing the Diagnosis from the
Doctor was a very painful experience for me. I saw the future, it
didn't look bright. In my minds eye I saw the Patients that I had
nursed during the later stages of their disease. They became
"ghosts" that I found difficult to deal with.
It's been about 5 years since I first realized that life is never
going to get easier. My retirement isn't how I had hoped it would
be, but I have found peace, comfort and help. I believe the
greatest gift I have received is that I have relief from anxiety and
worry for the Future. I have a big support group and above all,
the Lord is my strength.
Psalm 62: 1 & 2 My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is
my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation. My strong hold;
I shall not be greatly shaken.
