Well, in a few short months it will be 17 years since my official diagnosis of Parkinson's. Literally and perhaps figuratively, I am a gray beard in a club of which few people would choose to be a member. Sometimes I think that I have run out of new ways to fool mother nature and alleviate my symptoms and fluctuations. But just when I think of you can't teach an old dog any new tricks, I find a another way to roll over, shake hands, or fetch something from the other room. Here is my latest “discovery,” which I think is worth passing on to my fellow Forum members.

I am of the Bradykinetic, muscle stiff, relatively non-tremorous segment of the PD population. And, as I have only recently realized, one of the most effective ways that I can take myself from an “off” state despite having taken my regular dose of meds (in other words, apparent dose failure), into an “on” condition with my meds kicking in properly, is to perform a simple household chore that I believe is far more complex and therapeutic than I had imagined. I do the dishes.

Not vacuuming, not taking out the garbage, not taking a shower, not straightening up the living room. Each of those can help to some extent in regaining muscle flexibility and quickness of movement. But for overall transformation from stiff, slow, shuffling Greg, to quick, balanced, capable Greg, there is nothing like spending 20-30 min. loading and unloading the dishwasher. And I think I know why.

I have long noticed that I break fewer dishes even now than I did before I was diagnosed. I found that rather remarkable, and have ultimately come to the conclusion that it is because I am more careful and thoughtful about picking up each glass or plate and finding the proper place for it either in the dishwasher or in the cabinets, than I was before Parkinson's entered my life. With PD, I have to consciously think about the process I am undertaking physically, to think about my movements, in order to avoid having to replace the dinnerware every couple of months.

Loading and/or unloading the dishwasher, to my mind, involve many of the most important and effective techniques we have come to regard as ways to help keep our minds and bodies limber, responsive, and balanced. To transfer a plate from its spot in the dishwasher to its spot in the kitchen cabinet requires bending, stretching, surprisingly complex fine motor movement, and balance. It also requires, when one is “off,” deliberation and mindfulness, an awareness of your movements and what is required of your hands and fingers, your arms and legs, and your interior sense of which end is up so as not to pitch headlong into the dishwasher or the garbage can.

I bend down to get the plate, tipping and balancing myself over the dishwasher, stretching my shoulders and arms to reach the object, judging its weight and being consciously aware of whether I have grasped it properly and firmly enough to lift it from its spot. I right myself, however slowly or awkwardly at first, then stretch up or bend down again to transfer the plate or glass to its assigned spot in the cabinets. Even placing the object into the cabinet without disturbing the other plates and glasses often requires remarkably complex fine motor movement as I twist my wrist and hand and arm and shoulder to get the plate or the glass around everything else and in its proper spot. And I do this over and over and over, with countless variations in the repetitions, whether I am unloading the dishwasher of clean dishes, or taking dirty dishes from the counter and getting them into the dishwasher. And there is an aspect of dance and rhythm buried in this transfer of plates and pots.

Somewhere in the middle of all this I can feel my muscles relax, my balance improve, my thoughts become more automatic and clear. By the time I have finished doing this "simple" household task, I am almost invariably “back.” I am Greg once again, relatively capable and strong. And if I do this in the morning it tends to even out my responsiveness to medication for the rest of the day. If I do it in the evening, it has the same effect for the balance of the evening.

Perhaps someone has posted this before, perhaps not. But the resemblance of the activity to practices such as yoga, gentle stretching, tai chi and mindfulness meditation, struck me with sufficient force that I almost laughed out loud thinking that such a prosaic everyday chore could incorporate many of the fundamentals of much more highfalutin exercises and techniques we have all come to recognize as helpful in relieving our symptoms.

So the next time you're off when you should be on, get up even though everything in you screams don't get up, and go do that every day chore you've been putting off for the last three hours. Wash the dishes. You may be surprised at how much better you feel. At the very least, you'll have cleaned the kitchen.

Greg Wasson

You said "The resemblance of the activity to practices such as yoga, gentle stretching, tai chi and mindfulness meditation, struck me with sufficient force that I almost laughed out loud thinking that such a prosaic everyday chore could incorporate many of the fundamentals of much more highfalutin exercises and techniques we have all come to recognize as helpful in relieving our symptoms.

The key word here is "gentle." And deep breathing - and maybe those fava beans hold some secret, but you and I are too into this disease to toss our pills totally.....

Remember, too, that 25% is mental attitude in sustaining some quality ofo life with most diseases. (could be higher)..Noticed you were a "new member" - ha! Guess you got blocked out, too.
Dont be a stranger! How's AJ???

Am I still Peg 'O Your Heart?

Oh, for a dishwasher, Greg I assure you the same things do not happen when you do them by hand, though stacking the drainer becomes an art form in itself. But loved your analogy to Tai Chi and mindfulness - there is a great buddhist spiritual practice that revolves around doing ordinary things ........ now if I could only remember to get started!

Another great piece of writing, and practical advice too ....

You do not know how timely this is; Laura, hope you are reading!

Ah yes, Peg of all our hearts.

and thank you, Greg. I find I have to come up with new tricks, all the time. It's as if the Beast figures out my tactics and then out-smartens me and takes over again; then I must be mindful to change tactics and throw the Beast off my trail once again. Eventually, the Beast wins, but we can keep it jumping at shadows for quite some time. And then I come back at it with old tricks, which it has to learn all over again.
We could all make a fortune by turning this in to a video game.

Tell me again when I am clean and sober
Tell me again when I have seen through the horror
Tell me again, tell me over and over

Next will you be suggesting we help you paint your fence as a favor granted to us?

Fun to read your writing!

Ann

I haven't had my dishwasher fixed since you guys visited three years ago. Sadly, left to my own devices, the dishes stack up -- Pd combined with soapy hands and a porcelain sink do not a good combination make!

Peg,
After checking with the "Ann of my heart," it is safe to declare once again that you are and will always be the "Peg O' My Heart." AJ sends her love as do I, and wish you and Big D a Happy Valentine's Day.

AnnT,
I laughed out loud when I read your reply. Mark Twain, a noted skeptic himself, would be proud. Thanks and say hi to John. Maybe another NYC lunch is in order. We should be back there again in April.

Carey and Lindy,
Since you don't have working dishwashers, maybe you'd like to help me paint my fence. Despite the great benefits, I wouldn't even charge for the therapy.

Bob.
Staying one step ahead of this devil is what it's all about. Keep on keeping' on.

Greg