I've kept a journal most of my life, sometimes more rigorously than others, but it has enabled me to keep track of my exercise related to my life experiences. That obviously became more important when I was diagnosed with PD in early 2008. I have been better about journaling since then. By working with several programs: Pedaling for Parkinson's, Dance for PD, hiking, mountain climbing and fly-fishing most often, I'm still keeping the beast at bay. I've put my experiences to paper and am thrilled (and a bit scared) to report that my book, If I Can Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Why Can't I Brush My Teeth? Courage, Tenacity and Love Meet Parkinson's Disease, will be available in a few weeks. I know that many people on this forum will recognize your input into my thinking on various issues. I thank you and hope that the book is helpful. In one word, the book admonishes everyone to EXERCISE!

On March 22 my husband and I flew to DC to participate in the Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) conference where we learned about PD issues for two days, then spent the 25th marching around to various offices of senators and congressmen from our state encouraging them to support PD legislation. The experience was most worthwhile and hopefully will produce some positive results. While at the meeting, I (and several others) came down with apparent food poisoning. While I tried to cycle at the hotel, my efforts were meager to say the least, a few minutes and I was done. I thought I was better, but when we returned home, the bug returned or a new one took its place and I was sick again. Yesterday was my first normal day. This meant that I went from March 22-April 5 without cycling. I learned that, just as it's tremendously important to take my meds at the same time each day, it is also imperative that I cycle consistently. Without the cycling I started to lose my balance and bump into walls now and then. My feet began to cramp, not much, but noticeably and I had absolutely no energy. These may have been the result of the illness or the lack of cycling or both, but I am feeling much improved now that I'm back on the bike.

Have a great day.

Talk about a range of emotions! My book appeared on Amazon today and my daughter was on TV Thursday. She was nervous but did a wonderful job representing The Nature Conservancy. I'm nervous too. I told her that the story was not about her; it was her opportunity to give a gift to the community, not worry about how she would be judged. That is easier to say than to do as I apply it to myself. Anyway, there it is: If I Can Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Why Can't I Brush My Teeth? Courage, Tenacity and Love Meet Parkinson's Disease by Nan Little.

I'm back on the bike on an almost daily basis; my feet have stopped cramping and no more bumping into walls, for the present anyway.

Nan, I can't find your book on Amazon. Does it take awhile for a new book to be listed? I'm looking forward to reading yours.

If you go to Amazon.com and type Nan Little, it's the first book that shows up.

Thanks for wanting to read it!

The Mill Creek YMCA, the first in the country to have a Pedaling for Parkinson's program, had a Pedalathon last Saturday. 14 teams of 5 people each took turns riding from 9-5 to see how much mileage they could amass. They had a silent auction, raffles every hour and a bundle of fun while raising $6000 so they could scholarship every PwP in the program and pay for the instructor as well. We provided PFP t-shirts and a few laughs.

I must be nuts, but we just signed up to ride across Iowa in RAGBRAI again. Hopefully my IBS will be fully under control and my nearly 70 year old body won't scream too hard. Riding with the PFP group feels like reconnecting with family. I think it's that way about all the classes and activities we engage in with our PD friends, much like this forum.

I also put up a webpage, nanlittle.com, to talk about my book and to provide an opportunity for people to ask questions.

gutsy! heat, humidity, tornadoes. mass nuttiness. but you gotta do what you gotta do before 80!

Soccertese, I'm still just short of 70! Heaven only knows what I'll be like or if I'll be here at 80!

We just met Jean Blake, CEO of Parkinson Society of British Columbia. What a terrific woman, totally into listening to PwPs and convinced that exercise is a key component for our health. We're hoping it will work out for me to head north of the border to speak at some conferences over the next months. Cycling in Vancouver is wonderful. The streets are designed for cyclists as are beautiful bike trails all over the place.

Laura:

For as long as you can perform at that speed, keep doing it. Unfortunately, you will have to adapt and combine with other physical activities to keep 100% active, in spite of physical limitations.

I was diagnosed PD's 6 years ago and until 3 years back, I noticed a problem with my stride during running. It wasn't until my abductor muscle was affected in part due to the biomechanics of the stride that I realized I had to quit my running exercise and start swimming in order to avoid lesions. I did swimming for 2 years and combined with walking and stationary bicycle. I got bored of swimming and the stationary bicycle and kept walking. I have been walkling daily for 60 min in the past 3 years and it has been fun, relaxing and healthy (I walk in the middle of the woods). Recently, while walking, my right foot get stiff so I need to stop and stretch my leg. This happens during the 1st half an hour until my Sinemet first dose starts working. So if I want to continue walking I will have to adapt and slow down for a few seconds and start over. There is no other choice than to adapt. I am also considering swimming again.

This disease teach us to adapt. There is no other way to deal with it.

Wish you the best.

Lobo